Easter 2017

We love Easter around here. And while we do believe in Jesus, we don't believe in the Easter Bunny. That doesn't stop us from having some good old fashioned Easter Fun. 

We have to dye eggs every year. Because the kids love it and it's a tradition. I love having family traditions. 

We said we weren't going to do any toys this year in the baskets. We wanted the kids to to focus on the reason for the holiday. Besides, they were each getting a movie and a book. Toys just end up underfoot. Saturday night, we relented. That's how I ended up in Walmart at 10:00 the night before Easter combing over what was left of the toys. 

The kids didn't care. They were just happy to have a surprise. 

They picked out their own Easter dresses. They get their sense of fashion from me. Except for when Jane wears leggings with holes in the knees. That's all Chris. 

How much longer will they hunt for eggs? I hope many years to come. But I savor each year, just in case it's the last. 

We rounded out the day with entirely too much ham and a lovely Easter family walk. 

Not pictured: the children who rode on ahead with their scooters. 

Easter is the best. It reminds us that hope is never really lost. 

Goodbye Tonsils

Spring break is usually a time of fun. Winter is slowly dying, school will be done for the summer soon and a week off is incredibly welcome. This year, we threw around a few ideas for some road trips. And then strep hit. Again and again and again. After the third time in 4 months, Emily's doctor decided it was time to get those pesky tonsils out. And spring break would be an excellent time to do it. 

Emily was originally very optimistic and excited for a surgery that would eliminate strep.

But young bodies don't come out of anesthesia very smoothly. And while we tried our best to prepare her for the pain, it still came as a shock.

She spent lots of time on the couch in the mermaid tail blanket Auntie Ami sent. 

And lots and lots of time watching the Great British Baking Show. Here we are watching it on my phone at some totally insane hour of the night or early morning. I'm not sure which. It's all a blur. 

After a few days she was up for mall walking. 

She returned to school after a week with a few ibuprofen in her pocket. Shhhh..... don't tell the school nurse. We are real rule breakers in this house. 

While it was a miserable week, she says it was worth it to stop being sick all the time. I think so too.