Sometimes holidays can be way too much hype and all the Pinterest-esque expectations could never possibly match up to the reality. We’ve definitely had holidays like that (read: Fern’s first Christmas…AKA most epic holiday meltdown of all time), but thankfully this Easter wasn’t one of them.
By some Easter miracle, both of my children slept in until 8:15! It was glorious. When they did wake up we snuggled in bed for a half hour and by the time we got out of bed I didn’t really feel like doing anything fancy for breakfast, so instead of the usual German pancake tradition Craig and I just had coffee and Fern had cereal…and I didn’t even feel guilty about it.In years past I’ve felt pressured by traditions and the need to make things totally perfect, but I’ve been learning to just let it go. We spent the morning just hanging out at home, reading the Easter story together and playing with paper dolls and stickers from Fern’s Easter basket.
And speaking of Easter baskets…after assembling them, I realized that I didn’t really put in any candy (aside from one Reese’s egg and a Pez dispenser) and felt like I was probably the lamest mom ever, but somehow my child still managed to eat more candy yesterday than she has had during the entire rest of her life, so I didn’t have to feel as guilty. Like…SO freaking much candy. Between an egg hunt and grandma treats, she definitely got her fair share of chocolate and jellybeans. Thankfully she’s still little enough that she doesn’t really remember the candy by the next day. We did three egg hunts this year and after each one I was able to let Fern choose a few pieces of candy and then she forgot about the rest and never asked about it again. I’m sure it won’t always be like that, but I’m totally enjoying it while it is.
We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying Easter dinner with my family and Craig’s – we do a lot of holidays all together – and it was nice and relaxing. Also, Easter outfits are kind of my fave. Fern was so sweet in her little dress and Clive looked really, really ridiculously adorable in his suspenders. I kind of want him to wear them every day.
And, in yet another Easter miracle we all made it into a single family photo…with unintentionally coordinated outfits no less!
At the end of the day, I found myself feeling really thankful for our little family. The day was pretty wonderful and I definitely don’t feel like that about all holidays. A lot of times I find myself just feeling burnt out and over it. And as an added bonus, when I tucked Fern into bed last night, she actually prayed a real prayer. Most nights her prayers go like this:
“Dear Jesus: Thank you for Clivey and thank you that he’s feeling better. Amen.”
He was sick months ago, but she always still prays that he’ll feel better out of routine…and also I’m pretty sure she loves him best. But, last night she prayed:
“Dear Jesus: Thank you for Clivey (because…priorities). Thank you that you came to die on the cross for us. Thank you for our Easter party and thank you that we got to be together with our family. Amen.”
It made my heart swell with pride to know that she’s actually been listening as I’ve been explaining the Easter story with her throughout the week. Then she asked me about Mary Magdalene and if he “had a Joseph too”. Deep theological questions that happen at bedtime around here.
Hope you had a lovely day yesterday friends!
Love,
Lauren
Only one piece of candy!
I really really wonder what is up with American parents. So many of them don’t let their kids drink juice even, as if the more they deprive them of sugar the better they are as parents. Or maybe Americans can’t control their own eating habits so they try to control their children’s instead? It’s very interesting. It makes me wonder if Americans are terrified of their children becoming overweight or something along that line.
@Sara – I never said I only let her have one piece of candy. I said I let her choose a few, and there were also plenty of other sweets, like apple crisp and ice cream for dessert. But, even a full grown adult doesn’t really need more candy than that in a single sitting. Children have tiny bodies and they respond pretty quickly to sugar. If she were to have more than that I would definitely be paying for it later. Aside from that, I have a family history of diabetes, so I want to introduce my kids to the idea of moderating sugar early on. And as a child whose parents never worried about sugar I’ve spent a good majority of my life overweight and struggling to get healthy. I definitely have had an unhealthy relationship with food in the past, so I’m trying my best to instill good habits and attitudes toward food for my children. I think moderation in all things is a good idea.
Wow, i’m a little surprised at the first comment. It’s as though sugar has somehow become synonymous with childhood and having a good time. I don’t want to talk a lot about it, but i will say that as a whole, Americans’ consumption of sugar is in no way balanced or benign. besides.. When i look at those kids’ easter baskets filled with goodies and fun things, i don’t feel they are in any way deprived.
there was NO candy in my kids’ baskets and I put bunny crackers in the eggs. my 3yo goes absolutely bonkers with too much sugar. plus the Krispy Kreme sprinkled donut for breakfast had already done him (and me) in for the day. love your family photo and yay for a wonderful day and sweet bedtime prayers 🙂
Damned if ya do, damned if ya don’t…amiright? 😉 I LOVE that family pic! I never remember to take a pic at holidays so we only get ones of the 4 of us if we’re in the photobooth (maybe that’s why we go so often) or if we’re getting family pics taken. Also, we always amass candy on 4 certain holidays throughout the year: Easter, 4 th of July (from the parade), Halloween and Christmas and we are always dumping the previous holidays’ candy to make way for the new stuff… they still totally forget…which is a big deal for Bennett because he never forgets ANYTHING! Hopefully Fern and Clive will be that way too!
I just gotta say, You are a very Good Mama and your blog keeps getting better. I appreciate your priorities in life & they inspire me to be a better wife/mom. Also sugar/juice causes cavities 🙂