Easter 2012

Now as a parent, I find myself striving to be that mom who can do it all to ensure that memories of the holidays are forever engrained in my child's brain.  I'm also learning quickly that there just aren't enough hours in the day, or days in the week, to accomplish all that I want -- and to just focus on what is important.  Unfortunately, I learned this around 4:45am Sunday morning as I finished tidying up the house, storing all unmentionables in the back room behind a closed door, washing bowls and platters & finalizing the menu for family and friends coming over for dinner, and sorting out the Easter Eggs in preparation for the annual 3-house neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  Oh, and finishing up some of the loose ends that the Easter Bunny forgot about...

Mini Chocolate eggs lead from Kristina's room to her Easter Basket!

Ah-ha!  The Easter Bunny has been here!

The big basket is for Kristina and the Easter Bunny left alittle something for daddy, too!
(Mom got the low-cal book...on Russian Easter Eggs!)

A good combo of chocolate and fun stuff

Around 9am, Kristina got up and followed the mini chocolate Easter Egg trail that lead her to her basket.  By the time I was able to drag my body out of bed minutes later, the basket had already been opened, inspected and taste-tested!  I was bummed, also, because she had already gotten herself dressed (first thing she does in the am) and I missed that opportune "Kodak moment" of my little girl in her jammies ooowwwing and aaahhing over her Easter basket.

No basket is ever too heavy for Kristina!

Such a girly-girl -- LOVES the Hello Kitty nail polish!

Soon it was time to go to church as I knew shortly after returning from church, the house would be buzzing with family arriving for "linner" (late lunch, early dinner).  I love seeing all the children dressed up in their Easter outfits - and Kristina did her best to show off, too.

As soon as we sat down in the pew, Kristina propped her sunglasses up on her head, opened up her purse and took out her TinkerBell compact mirror and meticulously applied her Princess lip gloss.  I swear, I truly think that Kristina is an old soul.  She brought her baby doll to church (wearing the same dress, of course) and coddled her baby tightly patting the baby's head and saying "sshhh, baby - everything's ok, I'm here".  Where does she get this?

Heading out to church with purse and baby.  No...I didn't wear the same dress!

We didn't have time for a full breakfast so we stopped for a quick yogart snack before heading into church.

My covert attempt at taking a picture of Kristina (with my iPhone, towards the end of mass) sitting on the step leading up to the Holy Family statues.  This is where I knelt for years praying for a family.

Gaby and her family were at mass, too!

Stopping to say a prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe -- my patron Saint!

Who's behind those Foster Grants?

That's who!  Yes, dresses are for holding sunglasses.

 The Easter Egg Hunt this year started around 3:15pm and in attendance were Kristina, Kira, Gaby, Andrea, and Kristina's newest friend, Jasmine (who spent the two days with Kristina at Disneyland for her birthday back in January). Since the Egg Hunt covers 3 houses, there were over 275 eggs filled with candy!

The Egg Hunters (L-->R):  Kira, Andrea, Gaby, Kristina and Jasmine.

Good thing our huge tree provides lots of shade...it was over 90 degrees F!

Scoring...high and low!

Look at all this loot - and still another house to go!

There was a time Kristina couldn't reach the eggs in this tree...seems like yesterday.

I love this action shot!

And another action shot!

Kristina and Daddy checking out all the eggs.
(We had to fill plastic bags as the baskets weren't big enough!)

Jasmine survived her first neighborhood Egg Hunt.  Love the duo head-tilt!

Tired, but very happy, little girls.

Kristina doesn't leave anywhere without giving hugs to all her friends.  It takes me 10 minutes getting out of school sometimes!

Our small family gathering was for 12 people and I have to admit, by the end of the night, I was beat.  I only regret not getting a picture of Kristina with me and Jon!  Ugh!

While we cleaned up dinner and prepared for dessert, the girls painted beautiful pictures.

I'm certainly not Betty Crocker but I do have to say that I was pleased with the way my Sunflower cake turned out.

And it was yummy, too!

Uncle Bryce and cousins Alex (13) and Griffin (17)

Kristina loves to hang out with her cousins

Shortly after everyone left, our "nightowl" was sound asleep by 8:30pm.  Yes, it was a very Happy Easter!

Now that I've had one day to recover, I have to thank Jon for letting me sleep in this morning.  I got 11 hours of sleep last night trying to make up for several nights of no sleep. The memories of the day are priceless but the next time I plan a gathering, I'm starting the preparations a month earlier!  (And reminders of this post are welcomed....)