Happy Easter

Although we didn't have many plans for Easter, it is always a fun time of year for our family.

Last weekend we went to an Easter Celebration at Rainbow Day Care (where the kids used to go). They continue to invite us even though the kids don't go there anymore. They really are an extended part of our family and we have even gained a great babysitter out of the bunch.

Their celebration had 2 big egg hunts (one for Matthew's age group which was inside the gym and then one on the large play area for the big kids). There were probably over 150 eggs for Matthew's age (mind you there were 10ish kids) and Matthew just loved it. Most of the kids had more fun filling their baskets and then dumping the eggs out. Matthew enjoyed climbing on the table to find the eggs way in the back.

The girls were then ready to have their hunt. It was a mad dash to collect the probably over 200 eggs. There were tons. In fact, you couldn't walk 2 feet without finding an egg. And since they were all filled with candy this mama was in heaven :)

Rainbow also had the Easter Bunny (of course!), hot dogs, popcorn, juice and dessert for the families. Throw in some crafts and it was a great time. There is a new manager there, Amy (who is the old director's , Jaime's, identical twin sister). I had met Amy once before and love her just as much as Jaime...it is funny though as they are seriously identical :)

As you can see, no pics from this fun outing. Of course I didn't have my camera because all of the kids had fun and even hugged the bunny. If I would have had my camera there would have been screaming and lots of tears, right?

On Friday, Jen had to work but the daycare was closed so we were happy to get Carly off the bus. The first thing the girls wanted to do? Color Easter eggs. Luckily I thought ahead (for once!!) and had the eggs already to go.

Here is our new playset for the Cincinnati home.
I put a message on Facebook asking anybody for a small plastic house that the kids could play in outside. My friend, Misty, said she didn't have that but she had the above picture. So we picked it up on Saturday. It will fit great in the side yard or patio in Cincinnati.

On Friday, I was telling Jackie how much I wanted to have a huge Easter egg hunt in our backyard when the kids woke up. I had a vision of the kids waking up, opening the kitchen drapes and seeing eggs everywhere. Jackie was all in. Well I filled probably 10 dozen eggs with candy, money or air the night before and set my alarm for 6:30 am. I woke up Easter morning and it was pouring (what's new lately, right?). Oh well! Plan B was the basement. The basement was filled to the brim and you can see in the video how excited the girls were to see such a surprise.

But before the Easter celebration we made Easter pancakes.
I put pink food coloring in and had fun trying to find which foods would make the perfect Easter Bunny (in one variation of the bunny Ella said, "mom, that looks nothing like a bunny"). Gotta love the honestly of a 6 year old.





We went to church Saturday night rather than Sunday morning.
I like to go Sunday mornings but our church is so big and Easter Sunday is even crazier than normal. We were able to see all of our normal Sunday crew so we got to share in the celebration with those we usually celebrate with at church.

I had such a fun time filling their baskets (I mean, the Easter Bunny did)
Matthew: a "Matthew" bottle so he doesn't need to carry around the pink princess one anymore, a Toy Story ball, a wind up toy for the bath and a car
Laney: Coloring book, silly rings, light up bracelet, princess stickers, Easter stamps, jump rope, cookie, bunny and Peeps
Ella: Coloring book, silly rings, a chicken that lays jelly beans when you wind it up, jump rope, cookie, bunny and Peeps