Easter

Easter Sunday is always one to look forward to, and this one was no exception.  The "Easter Bunny" doesn't necessarily visit our house, but mom does leave a little Easter surprise on the table for everyone.  Before we get into more specifics about this particular Sunday, let's start with pictures of the kids. 

I went with a yellow theme this year.  Hazel and Zabien's clothes I got on clearance last year after Easter.  I was hoping to find a dress to fit Eliza at the same store, but they didn't have any in her size.  Drat!  For a full year, I looked and looked for a dress that would "fit in" with the others.  I finally found this one at Kohls.  I was very pleased with the result, and even more excited when I was able to snag this $70.00 dress for a mere $15.00

Eliza was so excited to wear this dress.  Ever the princess, she smiled and posed perfectly the first time. 

Zabien took a few shots (some with his tongue out, some looking away), but he finally gave me a decent smile for a millisecond and I was able to at least capture it. 

Hazel was nearly impossible.  You see, the girl started walking, and now whenever we set her somewhere and walk a few feet away (in this case to take a picture), she thinks that is the cue to toddle on over to us.  She loves this game and is all smiles during it, but it make for some very blurry photos.  This is the best one of her that I got. 

I'm not sure how many tries it took us to get a decent one of all of them.  Enjoy these photos in the process. 

Hazel kept trying to walk away and screamed at everyone when Eliza tried to hold her in place. 

 

Then we moved her to the other side to see if she would stay......, but no.  Hazel wanted to go, Zabien didn't want to listen to her scream, and Eliza just wanted someone to take her picture in this beautiful dress. 

Let's try again.  Almost - if only the other kids weren't laughing at Hazel's attempt to escape. 

There we go!  We finally got one that will pass - at least everyone is looking, Zabien's tongue is in his mouth, Hazel is running away, and Eliza is glowing like usual - Golden!

As mentioned earlier, they kids got and Easter surprise.  Eliza was super excited to get this Belle doll, and even more so when she also had a matching dress.  Zabien loved his pluto doll, and Hazel wouldn't pose with her Abby Cadabby doll. 

We had to get to church an hour early for choir practice.  Practice went ok, but I was definitely needing some extra prayers.  I haven't mentioned it before, but I have psoriatic arthritis.  This is a fairly recent development which not many people know about, and I am still on a waiting list to see a specialist, so I'm not currently receiving any treatment.  Among the normal pain and discomfort, playing the piano makes it worse.  This particular Sunday was at the end of a long and agonizing week.  I really needed some prayers if I was going to pull off accompanying 2 musical numbers.

Sacrament meeting started, and the children were particularly challenging.  We had a long day at the temple the day before, and everyone was just tired.  By the time the sacrament was through, I had already been in the hall twice with each of the three kids.  (Bruce is in the bishopric so he always gets to sit on the stand and smile at me while I struggle with them).  The first speaker concluded and I was in the hall chasing after Zabien when it was time to start the first musical number.  I was hurting so bad and didn't know if I was going to get through it.  Then, the miracle happened.  4 people came rushing out of the chapel: Sister Pond took Hazel, Sister Long took Eliza, and Sister Onorato took Zabien, while Brother Cassell was making sure everyone was under control so we could make the music happen.  I was able to breeze through those songs and the rest of sacrament meeting.  I didn't feel any pain until I had to play in primary. 

Hazel was the only one who took a nap when we got home.   So the rest of us dyed Easter eggs since we didn't get to it the day before. 

I thought I had plenty of eggs - after all I had 3 cartons in the fridge.  However, when I went to boil them, I only had a total of 10 eggs between the three cartons.  How did that happen?  Not sure, but everyone seemed to have a good time - albeit short. 

Bruce tried to do a two-tone.  It turned out really nice.

The Cassells came over at around 2 to play some games before dinner.  If you want some sure entertainment - just have Zabien play Guesstures.  The trick is trying to figure out what he is acting out because he gets up there and just starts doing his own thing.  So hilarious!

Before bed, we had both Zabien and Eliza tell us the Easter story and its significance.  Eliza did extremely well, Zabien needed a bit more help.  After scriptures and prayers, it was off to bed. The biggest question is yet to remain....... where will they sleep?

They both use their beds and toy boxes. 

Happy Easter.  May we always remember the grace and mercy of our loving Heavenly Father and the joy and happiness we feel in knowing that our Savior lives and loves for us.  He suffered for me, and I try to be a better person because of it.  He lives!