Easter Baskets!

When I was growing up, Easter was always a magical time.  There were special Masses at church.  The Passion Play on Palm Sunday was breathtaking to me.  I remember sitting there listening to the words that described the events leading up to Jesus' death and thinking that people can be truly evil when they are afraid or their "power" is threatened.  At the same time, I remember the feeling of hope I had. Hope that rebirth was possible.

I know there are a lot of pagan rituals that are associated with Easter.  After all, so many of our Christian holidays came about to thwart pagan practices.  The thing is that Easter and Jesus' resurrection are a time for hope and rejoicing.  The Easter Bunny visited me when I was growing up as a celebration of the special day and he has come for Gracie and Lucas as well.

When we woke up this morning (after 7 am - YAY!), Gracie and Lucas were not anticipating anything.  After all, I haven't said anything to them about the Easter Bunny coming.  They were delighted to see small baskets waiting for them in the living room.  Just a bit of chocolate (let's be real, some of this is for me), a toy, and swim suits for the summer.  As I write this, Gracie and Luke are in the bathtub playing with his brand new cars.  The giggling and laughing is such a wonderful sound!

Gracie with Belle and her chocolate bunny.

Lucas got his chocolate bunny open first!

Gracie's new Little Mermaid swimsuit.  She wanted to wear it to breakfast. 

My sister has a tradition for her children's Easter baskets.  She always puts their new summer swimsuit and a new towel inside.  It's a wonderful tradition, one that I decided to adopt for Gracie and Lukie!  Gracie got two new suits:  One was a Little Mermaid bikini and the other was a Dora tankini. Lukie got Spiderman and a Blue Thunder (the Monster Truck) swim trunks.  There are signs that neither of them will take them off anytime soon!

Easter Brunch

 On Easter Sunday, we started a new tradition.  We dressed ourselves up and went to Easter Sunday brunch at Daddy's friend's restaurant, Matisse.

Gracie wore a headband I made especially for Easter Day.

 We ate lots of food and Abue Juve and Tio Martin tried to eat what they thought was caviar.  It wasn't.  It was freshly made horseradish! Gracie and Lukie's favorite food was the candy at the end of their meal!