Easter

Happy (post) Easter! I hope that everyone had a wonderful time with family/friends, hunting eggs with the kids and eating great food. More than this, I hope that you were able to reflect on the wonderful and free gift of eternal life given through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. I was so proud of Bailey for telling the Easter story to the entire family on Sunday. If any of you have not yet discovered Resurrection Eggs, I highly recommend them (Mardel, $16). The set includes 12 plastic eggs, each with a symbol of the crucifixion and resurrection inside. There is also a book that helps kids learn how to use the visual aids to tell the story. Bailey now knows pieces of the story that would be new to most adults. Amazing!

The kids set out their baskets and some carrots and lettuce for the Easter Bunny. Bailey was amazed that the bunny would come down the chimney just like Santa.

The Easter Bunny ate most of his treats and left some non-candy goodies like hot wheels, pajamas, clothes and a Barbie. I suspect he figured that candy would not be in short supply.


On Saturday, I took the kids to a nearby church for an egg hunt. Since we were expecting rain on Easter, I figured I better let them have the experience on Saturday.

Nolan cared more about a sliver of pizza he carried around the entire time than actually picking up eggs. But here you can see him going for one (but still with the pizza in one hand).

Bailey got to ride a horse. I thought about letting Nolan ride with her and then had visions of him diving off the side. So ixnay on the ideray.

They had a huge tortoise there. This is NOT a good picture, but you can see how close Nolan got to it....he refused to budge for about 5 minutes but wouldn't let me put him on top for a ride.

Here are a few pics from church on Sunday.

Here, Nolan is about to jump. Anytime I get out the camera, he starts doing his tricks.

I believe I learned this Easter that hunting eggs is not Nolan's forte. He just stood there looking around the whole time, despite our yells of "Get some eggs! Put it in your basket! Look, get that green one!"

He finally got some eggs, but only out of a little girl's hand...not off the floor.

With second cousins Anna and Joseph. Anna is 5 weeks older than Bailey and Joseph is 4 weeks younger than Nolan. We didn't tell the girls to do this to their brothers, it just happened that way.

Since it was raining, we created an egg scavenger hunt for the girls. Their last clue led them to the bathtub where they found their baskets.

The girls posing.

In case you're wondering, Jason DOES know how to smile...just not in pictures. Love you, babe!

The girls telling secrets.

Nolan wanting in on the secret.

Bailey showing Anna her Barbie from the Easter Bunny. It's funny to see them interact. And, yes, Anna wore her princess hair from the Tea Party pics. I made a comment about how dark Anna's hair was getting and I think Tina thought I was referring to the fake hair. I had to clarify that I meant her REAL hair!!

Here's a video that will convey how Nolan spent Easter. It's not the best one I shot, but the others are long. He basically ran around and around Jeanne's kitchen and living room begging people to chase him.

Finally, here are some random pictures from the weekend.


This picture is significant only because Nolan has thus far rejected the notion of reading books. I usually get two or three words out before he slams it shut and runs off. Here, you can see, he is actually pointing to a picture in one of his books. Yea!!

Pajama time!

And, here's a video of the kids playing "roll ball." They have a little fight in the middle - just ignore that part. LOL!

I leave you with a few Bailey quotes from the week and things little Nolan is doing:

Bailey

-"Momma, my brain is telling me things I don't like. He is telling me that he doesn't like our house anymore and that I'm not pretty, Nolan's not cute, you're not pretty and daddy's not handsome. Why is my brain DOING that? It's not even true!" Apparently her brain is a male. Hope this doesn't cause any gender confusion someday. On a serious note, she has started making comparisons and saying she's not as pretty as someone in a picture or something. This makes me sad - she's only 4!!! I guess that's part of growing up. And I think it makes it easier for her to have negative thoughts if she can blame it on that ornery brain of hers. LOL!

Nolan

-I told you last time about his hitting problem. I've been regularly saying, "NO hitting. Just love and gentle touch." Then I will demonstrate gentle touch. Well, here's what that got me......now Nolan hits and then IMMEDIATELY hugs his victim. Progress???

-Speaking of hugs, he gave Bailey a big hug when Jason dropped them off at MDO this week. Jason said it lasted for about a minute and he just held on and wouldn't let go. How sweet!

That's enough for now. See ya later, alligators!