Shana's Musings: Easter

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!!! Our day started very, very early - Arabella was up with the sun at 6:15 and she wouldn't go back to sleep or even snuggle like she usually does with me in the morning. She was too excited - almost as excited as Christmas morning - she couldn't wait to see if the Easter Bunny visited our house. I tried to keep her up stairs but at 6:26 she couldn't wait any longer and went down without us. As soon as she got to the bottom of the stairs, she saw the eggs, and said "Mom, Dad, come quick, there are eggs everywhere!!!" It was so adorable! And when she noticed that he had eaten the carrots she left out for him, she was so happy. She loved looking for the eggs all over the house. It was a lot of fun - she and I did the hunt as it was too early for Jay, he went back to bed!

The Easter Bunny didn't bring too much chocolate or candy...but he did make sure that Dad got a basket full of his favorite - the Reese Peanut Butter Egg - and when Dad did wake up, he went right for it!

Later this morning, we joined our friends, Laura, Richard, Allyson & Emily, as well as their grandparents, for Cabane au Sucre or the Sugar Shack! It is a Quebec tradition during maple syrup harvest time to visit a sugar shack for food, dance, music and lots of maple syrup! We were actually able to see the syrup being boiled! Arabella, Allyson & Emily had so much fun dancing and we all ate way too much, but it was so much fun! I can see why this is a tradition for many families. We even rolled the maple taffy on the "snow" - seriously, Arabella loves it. I think she is more Canadian than she is American - after all, we have lived her longer than in the US since she was born. Before we left, we took a short horse "sleigh" ride! It was a great afternoon. Holidays are hard when you are away from your family, but I am so thankful for the "family" that we have here! We hope that everyone had a beautiful and blessed Easter!

Look at all the maple syrup buckets!

Making syrup!

Dancing!

Jay tried maple beer...it enjoyed it!

More dancing!

Laura and I! She is amazing!

Yum maple taffy!

More syrup please, mom!

Splendid Saturday

Yesterday, we attended the Annual Easter Brunch hosted by our friends, Cynthia & Wendy. It was a morning/afternoon, full of food, food and more food and lots of fun and laughter! The kids had a great time playing in the park and with the hula hoops. Arabella even took off dribbling a soccer ball, it was so natural, I wish I had it on film! I wonder if that is in her future for the Fall??
I brought a yummy 5 layer Greek dip that I found on Pintrest. Super easy - spread hummus in a layer and then cover with chopped red pepper, cucumber, kalamata olives and feta cheese and then sprinkle with oregano! I served it with fresh cut up pita and it was so good!

Arabella had fun with GiGi, Allyson, Emily and Christopher! It was so cute to see them all trying out different tricks with the hula hoops!

In addition to the yummy food, June brought some of her famous "adult" jello eggs!

And these are a few of my fav girls - June, me, Cynthia & Laura! We had so much fun!

Arabella and I decided to take a nap when we got home...it was so nice! And as soon as she woke up, we colored Easter eggs! She was so excited and loved to see the eggs turn colors and even make a few fun colors herself. She was so focused and concentrated, it was adorable and we had so much fun!

Party, Egg Hunt & Repeat

This weekend has been one of non-stop parties and egg hunts that started bright and early on Good Friday morning! Our first party and egg hunt was at playgroup. The kids did a really fun Easter Bunny craft, we enjoyed some yummy treats and then had a egg hunt outside in the sunshine! Arabella had so much fun running around and searching for eggs! The fresh air, sunshine and possible sugar crash made her so tired she fell asleep in the car on the way home!

Later that afternoon, we headed to June's house for an Easter egg hunt and party. It was so much fun. June had the hunt down to a science for all the different age groups and had the kids searching in different areas of her yard based on their ages! They had decorated Easter houses and had a fun painting craft! We also enjoyed some yummy food and had a great time spending the afternoon and evening with all our friends. Arabella had fun playing and did more running around outside! It was a great way to end Friday!