Easter Blessings

We had the best Easter ever! Our Easter weekend was kicked off with Chris and the girls volunteering at the Tucson Big Brothers/Big Sisters Easter event on Saturday. (A group of Chris' coworkers ran the event.) It rained throughout the event, but the kids enjoyed helping out and participating in the fun.

I stayed home and made enchiladas, beans & creme brulee french toast for the following morning. Around 6, Abby & Ryan joined us for dinner, then all of the artists gathered for marathon egg-dyeing. (If it had been up to Sophia, all three dozen eggs would have been done in about 5 minutes!)

Sunday morning we were greeted with a "surprise" from the Easter Bunny; full Easter baskets and a plethora of eggs & candy hidden around the house. A full search commenced, and most of the treats were found quickly. (Not all, however, as I am still finding "sweet tarts" and other wrapped candies in various spaces!)

Ryan and Abby soon joined us for brunch, then we went to Mass. In order to SIT at our very large church, we arrived 30 minutes earlier than usual. After sitting sweetly for about 10 minutes, Sophia asked Daddy, "Where are those guys?!" and pointed at the altar. Daddy explained that the Mass hadn't started, that we were there a little early. Twenty minutes later, as the Priest and Deacon sat on the altar, Sophia smiled excitedly and said, "Now I can't wait for my favorite part to come!" Chris whispered,"What part is that?" Without skipping a beat, she answered, "When we go home!" Ah, the honesty of children!

Earlier in the week we'd had a hard time deciding what food to prepare, and we finally decided on an eclectic menu. Our family in Nebraska had celebrated Easter mid-week with a Mexican theme...it sounded so good, we decided to borrow the idea. However, the traditional ham, scalloped potatoes and green bean casserole called to us, too, so we compromised and made both! The enchiladas, beans and rice were as popular as the other items and no one left the table hungry. In addition, Abby made a delicious blueberry crunch dessert, I made a rumcake and lemon-buttermilk cupcakes. Some wonderful friends joined us and completed our perfect holiday!








Alexa gave up chocolate, donuts and soda for lent. We were VERY proud of her committment to her sacrifice as she was diligent and faithful for all forty days. She was pleasantly surprised by a bag of chocolate donuts in her Easter basket...that Easter Bunny, what a card! ;)

The Easter Bunny wrote a note for everyone's basket, and signed each with a self-portrait. Sophia confided in me later that "the Easter Bunny draws better kitties than 'Easter Bunnies'"!



Today our Easter blessings continued. Our close friends, the B's (whom we vacationed with at Thanksgiving time) came to Tucson and joined us for breakfast. The kids love spending time together, and of course the adults had a fabulous time as well!

In the afternoon we joined our friends, the G's, to celebrate Orthodox Easter. They have the most amazing backyard, nicknamed "The Garden of Eatin'" and it's an apt description. Fruit trees of every sort line a multitude of paths throughout the property. Grape vines & climbing rose bushes adorn an arbor that meanders around the garden. It's a magical, beautiful place, and as you can imagine, the perfect location for a giant Easter egg hunt! About 25 children searched for the 500 plastic eggs hidden amongst the lush scenery.




Afterwards we dined on a variety of baked treats and then had some delicious watermelon and watched the kids play. We reflected on how blessed we are to have such a wonderful life; with such a great family & such interesting, kind friends. Life is good!