Easter!

It was also Stefan’s idea that they all wear matching blue-striped shirts. And of course they oblige when Stefan comes up with the plan. If I’d requested such a thing? Ha!

As much as I loved finding candy as a little girl, I take much greater delight now in hiding it in all the nooks and crannies of the house. Don’t worry Ben, I hid things in all the usual places, behind frames, balanced on light switches, tucked in windowsills.

If Lindt ever stops making those chocolate carrots it will really throw me. I LOVE hiding them. Those little hooks are so useful.

It must have been odd for you Ben, to simply have your allotted carrots in a box. You missed out on the annual, tearful negotiations where we make sure everyone has four– no less, no more. Even after trading around Gabe only ended up with three, I can’t figure that one out.

I wonder, Ben, when you arrive home as a twenty-one year old, if you’ll still join the wild rush of candy seekers, racing through the house and yard like a crazed animal? Or will you join me in hanging carrots from the lampshades and jelly beans in plastic eggs?

Candy on the piano always makes me think of my mother. She always hid someone’s basket inside the piano too.

You will be shocked, SHOCKED, to learn that I didn’t buy Mary an Easter dress (or new clothes for anyone). I think I deserve two, maybe three, gold stars for my restraint. But make sure those stars peel off easily but I’m sure I’ll make up for it elsewhere.

Confetti eggs were the new addition to our hunt. Stefan, Hans and Xander loved them, but Gabe declared them evil and made Xander pluck every last bit of confetti out of his hair.

Per tradition, Mary set up her Easter candy store. But she was too generous, ran out of candy and shut it down quickly after some very bad trades. Naughty brothers– “I’ll give you teen Peeps for ten Reese’s Eggs.”

I had to throw something of a fit to get this photo (it’s embarrassing really), but how often do we get everyone at the table?

Of course there wasn’t quite enough room, so a few people had to sit at the kiddie table.

We ended, as always, with the chocolate bunny cake (Mary is adding a jelly bean eye in this photo), strawberries, angel food, whip cream…and stomach aches at bedtime.

We miss you. Love and kisses from home,

Mom, Stefan, Hans, Xander, Gabriel, Mary, Lucy the cat and all the chickens