Easter

Easter, Easter, Easter. I was so excited about Easter this year - sharing the story of Jesus dying on the cross with Tyler and Piper (even though that's way over their heads right now), putting together Easter baskets for them, hunting eggs at Nana's house, and beautiful little clothes for my babies. Saturday night, I laid out Tyler and Piper's clothes for church complete with shoes, socks, and a headband and bow for Piper. I was prepared. I got up early, got myself ready - but stayed in my pajamas since Piper usually spits up on me at least once every morning.

Tyler got up first, as usual. He drank his "mook" (milk) and watched cartoons while I prepared breakfast for him and Piper. Piper got up about an hour later at 8:30. I promptly fed her the cereal and babyfood I had so lovingly prepared earlier. To give her time to digest and settle, I decided to get Tyler dressed before I gave Piper her bottle. Tyler had a nice button-down baby-blue shirt, khaki pants, and brown sneakers. At least I thought they were nice....Tyler had other plans. He had no intentions of wearing what I had picked out for him. He demanded his "cookie shirt" (a wal-mart t-shirt that says "mommy's favorite cookie tester") and his Thomas the Tank Engine rain boots. I really try to let Tyler pick his clothes on most days, but for Easter, I just couldn't bring him to church wearing that silly shirt and rain boots. After a 10 minute wrestling match, Tyler was finally dressed, and I was highly annoyed and already exhausted.

As I sat down to feed Piper her bottle, Tyler of course took the opportunity to undress. UGH!!!!! By this time, we had about 10 minutes to get out the door to get to church on time. Piper finished her bottle in record time, I got Tyler dressed, I got dressed, and then Piper got dressed. We always put her clothes on last because she spits up so much. She hadn't spit up all morning. I knew what that meant....it was still to come, but we had to go! I sat the children in the over-sized green recliner for a quick Easter picture. They weren't having it. Pictures were a bust.....no surprise after the morning we just had.

I picked Piper up to put her in the car seat, and low and behold, she spit all down her dress and my pretty pink skirt....twice before we were out the door. I wasn't about to change clothes .... no time for that. I quickly wiped off the curdled milk and got everyone in the car.

After many deep breaths, some praise music, and a Route 44 Sonic Diet Coke, I felt better by the time we got to church, but I still needed some Jesus. I was so looking forward to our church service. It was awesome, as usual, and Tyler and Piper were happy in the nursery the whole time. Whew. Maybe the day was taking a turn for the better. Maybe.

Maybe not! We went out to eat with our good friends Jordan and Piper and their 3 adorable children. I sat down with the kids while Mark ordered the food. Piper was joyfully settled in the highchair and Tyler was cornered in the booth next to me. Perfect. Mark brings our food and then disappears to get our drinks. The next thing I know, Mark's plate of barbeque and potato salad is crashing to the floor. As innocent as Piper looks, I know she's the culprit. As I bend down in my cute pink skirt to clean up barbeque with an entire roll of paper towels, Piper promptly pulls the silverware and her toys off the table too. Deep breath. Everyone else at the table is just watching to see my reaction and laughing hysterically....kids and adults. I strategically place Piper in a large open space of the restarant where she can't do anymore damage while I finish cleaning the freaking floor.

Mark returns with the drinks after what seems like 3 years and notices his food is on the floor. Sorry Mark. He goes to get more. The rest of the meal, I hold Piper and pin her hands down to her side while I eat - since my plate is within her reaching distance. I scarf down my turkey sandwich before she can throw it on the floor.

At church, Tyler made a little sticker craft with a lamb on it and it said, "Lamb of God." On the way home, I tried to get him to talk about it and see if he'd learned anything. He pointed to the picture of the lamb and said, "it's God!" Mark quickly exclaimed, "NO!!! He's confused. We can't let him think that. Put that thing away!" I agree that Tyler was confused, but I'm pretty sure he'll work it out eventually. I explained to Tyler that the lamb was not God and we talked a bit about the Easter story. Silly Daddy.

Tyler and Piper got to see their Easter baskets when we got home from church. We just got them some fun little toys...nothing too big. The big hit for Tyler was his new Batman pajamas. He wanted them on NOW. We explained that he could take them to Nana's house and put them on after the Easter egg hunt in hopes that he would just forget about it once he was there. Nope. Tyler changed into his pajamas, cape and all, as soon as we got to Nana's house. Tyler hunted Easter eggs in Batman pajamas while all of the other children were still dressed in their Sunday best. Oh well. I don't care. He had fun.

By then end of the day, we were all exhausted. The kids went straight to bed when we got home from Nana and Papa's house. What a day. What a special, beautiful, unique family I have been blessed with. Although I might get flustered and frustrated at times, I love every wrestling match, every time I have to change Piper's outfit, and every chance I have to share Jesus with my babies.