Easter. It has never been my favorite holiday. Well, Spring has never been my favorite Season. I find it too aburpt and not as welcoming as some would argue. The Sun annoys me at times with how bright it is and you never know if it will rain, snow or be wonderful. Since Easter follows in that Season, I guess I just never have been a great fan.
We did not attend church this year. Honestly, we have been going here and there throughout the year. I was not about to be the people who show up on Easter that no one knows and wonders who is that. It is not us. It feels more genuine not to go than to go. Before everyone worries about my fate or the fate of my children, we are a Christian family. My children know all of Christs love and why we celebrate the holiday. Amelia actually told us the Easter story without any help. Some interesting add ins that had to be corrected, but none the less wonderful to hear from a 4 year old.
Even though we did not attend church, I did purchase of the kids a Easter outfit. I know it sounds out right ridiculous. It has been a family tradition for as long as I remember. My Mom always made sure we had something bright and cheery to wear on Easter. But then again, we always went to church, so I guess she makes more sense. David had Friday off. So we set off to find outfits. Amelia is at the age now that she knows what she likes and what she does not like. True to her personality, Amelia pink a beautiful taffeta dress. A striped dress of cream, strawberry pink and chocolate. It looked like perfectly formed ice cream to me. I knew what Lorelai was going to pick as soon as I saw it. Lorelai love bugs.....particularly, ladybugs. So when she saw the bright green outfit, she squelled with delight. No outfit now would be right except this one. David Marshall was harder. Since he doesn't have a opinion on clothing, it was Mommies choice. Well, I had a vision. My sweet little boy in a blue gingham or blue seersucker Jon Jon with knee socks and ox side shoes. It has been my dream even before I had a boy. Well, my dream was crushed after I searched the whole city for such a outfit to find no one made anything close to that for a boy. I am sure if I had planned ahead, I could have found my perfect outfit, but it just didn't work that way. None the less, he looked adorable.
Easter eggs were next on our list of activities and must dos. I purchased 3 18 count eggs. Each child was going to receive their carton of 18. I figured David Marshall would be less than thrilled and end up giving Amelia his. I didn't count of Lorelai only wanting to dye maybe 3 and say are we done??? The girls picked out Hannah Montana and High School Musical dye kits. You would think there would be a array of "girl" colors. WRONG! They were quite boring colors of blue, green, orange, yellow and something that was suppose to be red, but never did change to red. David Marshall did not understand at all. It was the funniest thing I had ever witnessed. He looked at me like I was crazy. He would stir with his giant spoon and look at me like "Really??" "Why?" Lorelai dropped the first 5 eggs in her dye and looked at me and said "I am done." Okay, fun. Amelia on the other had has her mother's personality and was not going to leave those eggs until they were perfection. To do 18 eggs, plus her siblings other eggs took Amelia around 1 hour. She patiently stirred, checked and counted her eggs. Over and over and over.........
I have a large extended family. Both my mom's side and my dad's side are large. We have always celebrated holidays with both sides. Making it more complicated once I got married to add another place to go....except Easter. It has always been the easiest to figure out. My mom's side just doesn't do much as a whole for Easter, so it has been redeemed as my Mamaw Betty's holiday. She gets us without interruptions until 5. This year was more of first than just another Holiday. It was the first without my papaw. If you knew him, you would understand. He always loved to see each and every grandkid coming. He loved to watch the younger kids. No matter how many joined our family he always felt they belonged and would say this is great. He also had a special place in his heart for little girls. Papaw always sat at the head of the table and complained. He always wanted to know what he or she said because he couldn't hear them. He was a smart ass by nature. It is actually natural for my Dad's side. Natural for me. I don't take offense. I actually enjoy it. Unlike many women, I find it endearing. Papaw was diabetic so never participated in dessert. He controlled it by eating right-no medication. Sure he had moments of delugence. Who doesn't?? This Easter felt different. Mamaw didn't have to make sure certain items were on the food table. She did though. The table was turned different. His usual spot was not there. Mamaw tried to sit in his place, but she seem to not be able to take it. She has always been one to make sure everyone has enough and didn't need anything else. Then she would eat. Unless you were watching her, you wouldn't have noticed a different look in her eyes. Yes, Easter was different.
My husband's side of the family is smaller more intimate in its own sense. We only celebrate with his mom and dad, his sister and her husband, and sometimes our nieces. It just depends whether they attend. This year we had Easter dinner at his sisters house. I was very relieved to hear this. My in laws house is very tiny. There is 5 us alone, so adding 5-8 more is packed. More like clowns in a tiny Volkswagen. His sister is normal size, so people can breath. They can spread out and not feel so tramped for lack of better word. David's family is different than mine. They do not linger. They eat, do presents or whatever activity is "required", and then they all exit as fast as they gather. A hard adjust to me at first, now I flow with the motions much easier. It isn't that they do not enjoy each others company; it is just how they work. So, we did just as always. We ate; the kids played; we left.
Before I end, I must tell two great stories about my children. On Thursday before Easter, my mom took Amelia to the mall. They ate supper together and went "shopping". Mom said Amelia spotted the Easter bunny set up before she did. So, of course, they ventured over. Mom asked the Easter bunny if he was coming to Amelia's house to leave candy. He gave Mom a much enthusiastic thumbs up. Then Mom asked was he going to hide eggs? Another thumbs up. Each question received a thumbs up. Amelia asked Mom Why doesn't he say anything. Mom said well, honey I don't know. Mom said it took her by surprise and didn't know exactly what to say. Amelia said Come on Grandmama, this Easter bunny is a GIANT weirdo and I do not have time to waste on this.
If you know my Lorelai, you know she has a great love for chocolate. She literally could it eat for each meal and each snack. Never growing tired of it or make herself sick on it. She is also my skinniest child. I think she might have something here. At my mamaw's, we always have a Easter egg hunt. The younger kids get to go first before we unless the older children who are fast and know exactly what they want. Lorelai being the smallest wracked up. The majority of her eggs contained chocolate. She had a few others that she gave away. Two of their cousins were in the living room checking out their loot. They had decided to trade each other candy. Lorelai was going through hers. She immediately spotted the chocolate in their possession and understood completely what they were doing. Lorelai has a purse full of treasures with her at all times. This particular weekend, she had earned money for helping mommy clean and sort toys. Lorelai to her purse and pulled out her money. She fanned it out in triumph and said very sneaky "I have money!" This has been one of the funniest things I have ever witnessed her do. She sure does love her chocolate.
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