Easter 2013

Dying Easter eggs in our household is always a new adventure.  We've long ago stopped using the old-fashioned method of cups filled with water, vinegar and food coloring which is too easy for the boys to spill and too boring for them to be interested.  This year I picked up a dye kit called "Spin an Egg."  It seemed pretty odd, but I thought the kids would like it.  First you place the egg in the spinner, then you put a few drops of dye (whatever color you choose!) onto the egg, put the cover on, push down on the pink button, and the egg spins around turning this way and that and ultimately, is covered in dye.  The boys loved spinning the egg and even patiently waited their turn while the other spun away.

Before we knew it, Easter had arrived.  We had a jam packed Easter day in store for us, starting out with church in the morning.  Finding a seat on Easter morning is always tricky (the Catholics come out of the woodwork on Easter!), but luckily they had an overflow service in the gym with plenty of space for us late comers.  The boys looked extra spiffy in their matching sweater vests and khaki pants.  After church we headed down to Nana Judy and Popi Dave's house to celebrate.

The boys were in store for quite a treat at Nana and Popi's house.  First they got their fill playing with toys and all the fun Easter decorations Nana had out.

Cole cooking up a storm

My spiffy little men

Then we decided to trek downstairs to see if the bunny had paid us a visit.  Oh boy, had he!  There were Easter eggs all over for the boys to find. 

"Ooohh!  I found an egg!"

"I found another one!"

After they tracked down all the eggs, they patiently waited to sort them into baskets and then they excitedly opened each one to see what type of fun treat was inside.

Nana Judy and the boys sorting through the pile of eggs

"I wonder what's inside?"

"A new note pad!"

"Hmmm...this looks like something for Pa"

"This is so much fun!"

But that wasn't all that the bunny left.  There was more!  The bunny had hidden Easter baskets somewhere...but where?  Cole's was hiding behind the curtain and Owen found his hiding in the shower - that tricky bunny!

Owen pulling his basket out of the shower

Uncle Jason helping Cole with his basket

Cole and Great Nana Dineen

Owen and Nana Judy

Owen all smiles - the Easter bunny was a hit!

After opening their baskets, a note from the bunny appeared out of nowhere.  It was the first of many clues that led the boys on a treasure hunt throughout the house and finally to the garage where they found their treasure.

Owen, Cole and Nana Judy at the end of the treasure hunt

They eagerly opened up the big box filled with giant plastic pieces perfect for constructing something creative!

"This is so much fun!"

Owen and Great Popi Dineen set to work building a creation of their very own.  It was hard work, but Owen was so proud when they finished their masterpiece.

"Ta-da!!"

Soon it was time for dinner.  Owen sat down at his plate to find another surprise...a cross made out of palms.  While most kids may not find this exciting, Owen was delighted!  He has had a love of the cross since he was just one year old. 

After a delicious meal, the boys were ready for another game - Pin the Tail on the Bunny.  It was quite entertaining watching them try to find that sneaky bunny!

So much fun was had at Nana and Popi's house, but nap time was calling us home.  And after all the excitement, the boys were ready to rest up.  Thank goodness they got some sleep because the Easter bunny had also paid a visit to our house.  So there was much more excitement in store for them.

Owen was the first one up.  He groggily headed downstairs and discovered that the bunny had paid him a visit.  He searched high and low for his Easter eggs, making sure that each one he took had his name on.  Some had Cole's name on and Owen made sure to leave those for his little brother to find.

"This egg says 'Owen'"

"Way to go Easter bunny!  This is delicious!"

"Look at all my eggs!"

Owen walked past his Easter basket a few times - the bunny did a good job hiding it amongst a big pile of toys that he didn't even realize it was there!  After finding all his eggs, I had to remind him that his Easter basket must be hiding somewhere.  He got a chuckle when he saw it hiding in plain sight.

Soon Cole had woken up and he came down to search for his eggs.  He was so excited to see his favorite thing inside them...chocolate!  The boys have been on a gluten-free, dairy-free diet for several months so they rarely get any chocolate.  Luckily the bunny found some dairy-free chocolate that they thought was delicious!

"I love chocolate!"

After Cole would find an egg, he just HAD to open it and eat the piece of chocolate before continuing on to the next egg.

"Ummm...more chocolate"

Cole smiling for the camera with a mouth full of chocolate!

When he found the last egg and there was no more chocolate to be eaten, he was pretty disappointed and kept asking for "more chocolate".  But he soon realized he had an Easter basket to find - distraction is a wonderful thing!

The rest of the day was spent enjoying their new toys - the perfect way to end a very happy Easter day!

Owen with his new creation - a giant train!

Cole playing with chalk in the chilly weather

Owen testing out his new balance bike

Cole trying out his new scooter