A Basket Full Of Photos

Our Easter festivities started out with a little neighborhood hunt in our backyard.  It was tons of fun--we had 17 kids and a dozen eggs per child so there was plenty of hunting to go round. The children were all very focused on finding eggs and nestling them safely in their baskets.  The only problem with this is nobody wants to be bothered with smiling nicely at their mama's camera when there is candy to be had.

And so I end up with photos like this:

Joseph

he's on a mission

he's walking firm and strong

with a big stride

(for a two year old)

scouting the lawn for any missed treats

and determined 

to not be hindered

by paparazzi mama's

or 

William

investigating his loot

completely centered

on his captured rainbow

and oblivious

to my calls to look up

or 

this beauty from 

Matthew

which I like to call

simply

"Ehh?"

After the hunt everyone found a protected spot, huddled over their loot, and inspected the harvest.

Saturday night before the boys went to bed I quickly tried their Easter clothes on them to make sure which pants fit who and that all ties were accounted for.  Joseph was surprisingly excited about it and wanted to put everything on.  He jumped up and down saying, (all with a two-year-old accent), "New church pants, new church pants."  I didn't tell him those pants had already been "new" for his two brothers.  He was so pleased with himself I had to snap some shots.

He still bears the healing scar on his chin from a slip in the tub several months ago--I think it might be there for life.

Sunday morning we woke early enough to enjoy baskets and special breakfast before church, yes, a feat. After church I wanted to get a few pictures of all my boys before the obligatory Sunday nachos and frozen pizza (we had real Easter dinner later with friends).  But once again, smiling at the lens was the last thing on minds of these little ones and this is the best shot I was left with. And as always seems to happen when you put these four together, things quickly dissolved into a tickle fight. After settling down inside and a couple calmly placed threats of no candy, they at least all looked at me.  Oh well, I've learned to accept it and take what I can get. We ended our observance with a tradition that as I explain it loses all of it's "funness" and seems only a bit gruesome for Easter.  So I'll leave it to the photos, and remind you it's just a cake, albeit in the shape of a lamb. Lastly, our eggs.  Matthew's the more earthy colors, having been dipped and dipped and dipped again.  Each taking a turn in most every color.  Will's the more vibrant, taking a swim in just one or sometimes two colors.  He told me about each:  "This is Orangy.  He likes to play soccer.  This is Greeny, he likes to play baseball.  This is Bluey, he likes to  . . . "

And now I must go hit the elliptical, and try to leave some of that Easter chocolate behind me.  (Ohh, that's a little bit funny.)