Easter Traditions

Sarabeth and Christopher are getting older and growing up so fast, but the traditional Easter basket and outdoor egg hunt have not yet lost their appeal...

Seriously?

Six-year-old Sarabeth: "Mommy, can I make an Easter list? I mean, a list of the presents I want for Easter?"

Science Question

Four-year-old Christopher: "Mommy, does the Easter Bunny hibernate? 'Cause you know that lots of animals hibernate...."

You Don't Mean That

Mommy: "No more candy, Christopher! You're going to make yourself sick!"

Three-year-old Christopher: "Mommy, I want to get sick! Please let me be sick! I really want to be sick!"

 

So We Can Always Remember...

Look at Sarabeth's beautiful Easter outfit!

Look at Christopher's handsome Easter outfit!
Well... I mean... come here!
Dude, stop!
Okay, there you have it. Doesn't he look nice?

No, Dear, You are Mistaken

Sarabeth (at six) to Christopher (only three): "I am not your personal entertainment, and neither is Mommy!"

Christopher: "Yes, she is my entertainment!"

God vs. Football

Poor Chet was just trying to watch the game. Nearby, Sarabeth and Christopher were making quite a racket. Christopher was playing the guitar, while both children together loudly sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "We Praise You, Lord." Finally, Daddy had had enough; he firmly told them to be quiet so he could hear the game. "Daddy," Sarabeth sweetly inquired, "don't you think it's more important to praise God than to watch football on t.v.?"

Theological Question

Three-year-old Sarabeth: "Mommy, after God sent Jesus to save us from our sins, are we still sinners?"

Maple Sugaring

When Sarabeth was four years old, I took her to Van Raalte Farm in Holland to see how they tap the maple trees to get their sap in the early spring, and then boil the sap down to make maple syrup. Fascinating process. Lots of fun to watch. Early on in the afternoon, Sarabeth found herself a stick she liked, and she insisted on carrying that stick with her throughout the rest of the day. Finally, Mommy was tired of the hassle, so I asked her why she just had to have this stick. "Well, I need it to tap the sugar maple trees!" she explained. Oh.... Well, then we had a long talk about the meaning of the word "tap."

Mix and Match Warrior

I'm not sure I can even get my mind around the identity of this warrior....
Let's see... there's the Power Rangers jumpsuit duck-taped to the cowboy boots, then there's Captain Jack Sparrow's sword (from Pirates of the Caribbean) and Sleeping Beauty's prince's shield, the CARS racing gloves, and the Armor of God breastplate and helmet.
Actually, I feel pretty safe, considering....

Taking Precautions

Christopher loves socks. Can't stand to be without socks. Must have socks. For a while, he wore socks even while swimming. For a while, he wore two pairs of socks at a time. Once, when he was three, Chet asked him why he had on two pairs of socks. Christopher explained: "cause it's for safety."

Taking Up for Mommy

Chet fussed at me for shopping (and buying) at TJMaxx. Sarabeth piped up: "Oh, Daddy, you will never understand shopping like girls do!"

Necessity: The Mother of Invention

Sarabeth didn't get a sister. So she made one....

Desperate times call for desperate measures....

The Heart Grows Fonder

When Sarabeth was five and a half, and Christopher was almost three, I went to Florida by myself for four days to visit a friend. It was the first time I had ever been away from the children, and we were all quite apprehensive about it. But Chet took great care of them, we talked on the phone every day, and everything went fine. We missed each other, though, and it was a joyous reunion at the airport when I returned. The children made "Welcome Home" signs for me and brought me a bouquet of roses.

After we got home, my little Christopher wanted me to cuddle and rock him and read to him for a very long time. Finally, he put his head on my shoulder and said: "Me miss ooh. Me uv ooh. Me ike ooh be home."

Better You Than Me...

After hearing that Daddy had spent the morning at work (at Gordon Food Service) buying fresh chicken, three-year-old Sarabeth retorted: "I'm just not thrilled with chicken."

Transformation

I couldn't stand to cut Christopher's hair when he was a baby. Couldn't face the fact that he wasn't a baby any more. Finally, when he was more than a year old, I couldn't put it off any longer. Took him to a friend's house for his first haircut. He was not impressed....

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Priceless Sentiments

Two-and-a-half year old Sarabeth: "Mommy, you're my best friend!"

Happy Thoughts!

Four-year-old Sarabeth: "Mommy! Mommy! My face is bursting into smiles because I heard a bird singing! Spring is coming!"