Easter 2020

Well, we wrapped up our first holiday in quarantine yesterday.  Hopefully, it will be our first and last one like this, but who knows these days with how everything seems to change on a daily basis.  Since we were not able to go to my parents' house for Easter with my WA brothers and their families, we were not able to enjoy eating dinner with everyone or participating in my mom's epic, Easter egg hunt in their large yard with all of the cousins.  As disappointing as that was, we just tried to make the most out of the holiday with each other at home.  After the children all woke up, we had them come downstairs to find their Easter basket and gifts spread out on their special spots on the couches in the living room.  This was the first time that Emmett had a "spot" of his own and he immediately walked over to his basket when Lia put him down on the living room floor.  All of the children enjoyed looking over all of their gifts and playing with a few toys before we had our Easter breakfast in the dining room.  After eating, we put Emmett down for his morning nap and then sent the three other kids to play in the basement (where there are no windows that look out on the backyard) while Ron and I went outside to hide their eggs.  We normally do an indoor hunt every Easter morning because my mom always does an outdoor hunt at their house in the afternoon.  But since it was so beautiful outside and because we couldn't go to my parents' house, Ron and I decided to hold our own hunt in the backyard.  It turned out to be really fun and much more challenging than the hunts we have done in our house in years past.  All three of our older children got a kick out of looking for all twelve of their eggs scattered all over the backyard.  At Logan's suggestion, we then held our Easter church outside while sitting on the deck.  Although Emmett was awake by then and proved to be a major distraction for the children, I did my best to share an Easter message with everyone.  We then spent a quiet afternoon at home with naps and TV time before we gathered around the dining room table for a second time that day for our Easter dinner complete with a roasted chicken, homemade mac 'n cheese, deviled eggs, asparagus, and rolls.  I then took the three older kids on a bike ride around the neighborhood while Ron stayed home and gave baby Emmett a bath and got him ready for bed.  We then finished off the day with cake (that Ella decorated earlier this week) and ice cream before heading off to bed.  It was an unusually quiet and mellow Easter and I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend it with my own, little family although I missed seeing our larger, extended family.  I am just so grateful that the six of us have each other during such a strange and isolating time!

Lia's Easter loot (complete with new summer PJs, swimsuits, and a swim cover) placed on her couch.

Logan's Easter basket and other fun items like a pirate, Lego set and 28 Magic Tree House books waiting for him at his "end of the couch."

Ella's Easter dress (that she didn't get to wear to church) as well as some new swim suits, flip flops, a summer nightgown, and outfits laid out next to her basket full of toys.

Emmett's basket of board books, toys, and new sandals and flip flops plus a few, new summer outfits waiting for him on his "new" chair.

All four kids running down the stairs to look at their Easter baskets for the first time.

Lia coming downstairs with Emmett in her arms.  I have an almost identical picture taken last year of the two of them when Emmett was so much smaller.

Ella and Logan examining their gifts for the first time before picking anything up.

Lia doing the same.

Ella showing off her mini, Kitt AGD.

Logan holding up his new shark, nightlight.

Lia holding up her new Emily Windsnap book that she didn't even know had been released yet.  Easter came at a perfect time as she has just finished reading the massive, Fablehaven book series during the four weeks that school has been cancelled.

Emmett immediately picked up his board books and brought one to papa to read to him.

Ron reading the new puppet, finger book for the first time to Emmett.  He just loves being read to these days before his nap and bedtime which is just the cutest thing!

All four kids lined up with their Easter baskets.

Ella finding her first Easter egg after beginning the hunt outside.

Lia finding an egg in the giant birdhouse.

Ron hid one of Logan's eggs in the basketball hoop.  Here he is trying to jump up and get it.

Luckily, leggy Lia was around to help get the egg down for him.

Ella finding an egg by the back shed.

Logan grabbing one hidden in a cherry tree.

Lia finding an egg on the back bank of our yard.

The three older kids posing together after completing their egg hunt.

After Emmett woke up from his morning nap, I suggested that the kids put on a little hunt for him in the house.  Surprisingly, Lia was the only one who willing to do this and so she hid a bunch of eggs for Emmett in obvious spots on our main floor.  Emmett was only interested about half the time, but did manage to pick up several eggs and place them in his basket with lots of coaching.  It was very cute to watch.

Emmett dropping an egg in his basket.

Emmett finding another egg while Lia and Ella look on.  Please notice Ella pretending to take pictures of Emmett with his new, toy phone that he got in his basket.  Such a silly girl.

Emmett and Lia posing together after his little hunt was complete!