EASTER…a recap!

Yay for vaccines, gorgeous weather and the opportunity to gather together, even if on a limited basis!

Easter weekend brought my little family to Louisville for actual hugs and lots of laughs!

Gabriel is nineteen months old and although not fully entrenched in the Easter traditions, he did enjoy the majority of the activities and participated in them as much as he could!

Since we had not been together since before Christmas, and that was a totally outside masked up visit for all of us, I wasn’t really sure how he would react. He is always excited on our Facetime calls, but because of Covid, he hasn’t really been around a lot of other people.

Those worries were quickly tossed aside, when I picked him up from the car seat and walked in to say hi to his great-grandparents and his uncles. He blew kisses to the crowd, and in the sweetest, most loveable little voice, said, “Hi!” We walked around and re-introduced him to everyone, stopping to let them chat with him.

He finally took a minute to turn around as the door opened again, and he said, “Hi!” to his mom and dad! I wish you could hear his voice…

Now, the house isn’t setup for kids anymore. We have tons of things for him to play with but Lord knows those things aren’t nearly as exciting as the remote controls and the photo frames. The Easter décor was so tempting, but he didn’t pop in to destroy anything. He squatted down, and tried to take things in.

As he walked around the room, he spotted our “year-round” Christmas tree that was full of baby chicks in purple and yellow as well as colorful Easter eggs. He walked over to it, and Pappaw quickly stepped on the floor switch to illuminate the tree. Gabriel squealed! He pointed to the chicks and jabbered about them. He was enamored.! Oh…to be so excited about such a simple thing! I know now that Pappaw will keep that tree up forever! The great-grandbabies love it!

Soon it was time for snacks and the departure to their Airbnb. They would get a good night’s sleep and return for pancakes in the morning!

Gabriel arrived to the familiar space on Saturday, dressed in jeans and his bunny sweater! We ate pancakes and then, it was time for the first egg hunt! I had filled eggs with finger puppets, cheddar goldfish, fruit snacks and jelly beans. We scattered them in the yard and off he went. He seemed like a pro! He put the basket on his arm, where it rested while he tossed the “found” eggs into the basket. As it got heavier, he stopped and sat down.

Methodically, he took each egg, shook it and determined that if it made any noise, it went on one side and if it didn’t make noise, it went on the other side. Little did he know those quiet eggs had one of his favorite toys…finger puppets.

We watched him open the eggs and snack along the way. It was exactly what I had hoped it would be. We would re-fill the eggs overnight and toss them out in the yard again on Sunday.

He took a great nap at the house, so they were able to stay until after dinner. Pizza and salad were on the menu and afterwards, off to bed.

Easter Sunday, once again, Gabriel and his parents arrived for brunch. As soon as that was done, we were able to get the Easter baskets out for everyone! The Easter bunny had left them and we wanted to make sure that we were all refreshed and ready for the fun.

We tried another egg hunt, but to no avail. He was much more interested in the bubble-making camera and the baby potty for his baby.

Our Easter dinner was a traditional ham dinner and I must say, Gabriel enjoyed every morsel. After dinner, more fun and games, at the table!

One of the favorites for me is Chubby Bunny. Participants put jumbo marshmallows in their mouths and try to say “Chubby Bunny” adding one more each time around. The competition was tough…down to Pappaw and Anthony! I’m thinking Anthony won, but it was close! I think Pappaw had 6 or 7 marshmallows and Anthony had 8! This game is hysterical and I’m a wimp! I laugh and I spew marshmallows so I usually stop at 3!

Gabriel had mini-marshmallows and he enjoyed all of them!! He loved the hysterics! Giggling like crazy!

Now this next part is going to seem crazy, but it was one of the highlights of the weekend!

Before leaving, Katie had taken Gabriel’s seersucker ensemble off and he was in his diaper only. My Dad/Pappaw, came in to the room with his old shoes – shoes that were purchased 15 years ago and had seen their better days. (Trash day was the next day so he was tossing them out but wanted everyone to know he finally gave in to our requests to do so).

We joined in with applause and cheers and there was my sweet Gabriel, clapping like crazy, putting his hands to his face in amazement and cheering like he had seen something spectacular! The more we cheered the more he got into it! It was nothing but pure joy and excitement for him and for me, a moment that I will forever have captured in my heart!

I felt just like Gabriel after spending the two glorious days with my family…I want to be like Gabriel at that moment…every day!!!

My wish is that your Easter was special and that you, too, had a moment of pure joy, just like Gabriel! It helps get you through, believe me!!