{easter fun}

Our Easter celebrations have been spread out over the past few weeks, but I really wanted to make sure we fit everything in, and because wasn't sure what the end of the month would be like.

A couple of weeks ago we colored eggs, and while it was rather an informal affair, the kids loved it. It's funny how they're personalities come through even with things like coloring eggs.  Ryan knew exactly what he wanted to do, and had it done very quickly.  Kate wanted something fun, and wasn't afraid to experiment.  Emma was the total perfectionist, asked a million questions about the colors, and took awhile to decide...she wanted pink.  :)  Henry was my little scientist, and colored and re-colored his eggs at least 12 times.  They ended up being the favorites of the night...a little like dinosaur eggs. He was VERY proud. Jack was only interested in the green color, and finally did one blue at the very end.  He was focused on his mission, and completed it.  For the first time in years, we actually dyed hard boiled eggs! Usually I use raw eggs, but I've never had a three year old named Henry, either.  I shouldn't have worried--he did surprisingly well, and not one egg was dropped!

Easter baskets arrive at our house on Saturday, and that's when we do our egg hunt as well.  We like separating the "fun" from Easter Sunday, so we can really focus on the actual meaning of Easter on Sunday. I think it makes it easier for my kids to separate in their minds as well, and it's always worked really well for us.  So...last night was our big flashlight egg hunt.  This was a new thing we tried last year, and it was such a hit that it was requested again this year. I was happy to oblige--I think it's really fun, and the eggs are faster to hide.  :)  We did baths, got jammies on, and watched a movie until it got dark.  Then there was the traditional treasure hunt to find their baskets, and the three older ones raced around the house following the clues.  The boys had fallen asleep on the couch during the movie (it was their bedtime...), and were still trying to wake up so they missed out on the hunt.  They found their baskets in the bathtub in the playroom bathroom, and they were a huge hit.  Our baskets are pretty simple---candy, a few fun outside things like jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles, plus a book for everyone and a new movie for Ryan.  We distributed flashlights, then headed out to hunt.  Kate was done first--in record time, and I wasn't surprised a bit.  One-by-one they finished up and sat a the picnic table to open their eggs and eat the loot.  

Yep-a late night with lots of candy involved with early church in the morning, but hey, you only live once, right?  :)