Easter

Easter this year for Alyce was kind of split up.  Luke was sick and wasn't able to join my side of the family.  We thought it was important that she see them so she and I took the trip our ourselves.  It wasn't the first time we had to Easter without Mom and Luke.  Two years ago Luke was just born and they didn't make the trip.

Easter started off at our house with Mom's side of the family.  Alyce spent most of the time entertaining while Mom and I cooked.  Alyce had eggs for the first time too! We've tried giving them to her before but this is the first time she said "these are good, what are these?".

Mom snuck away to hide the eggs and we had to scramble to get them as it started to drizzle.  They both had a pretty good haul and it was neat seeing them running around our new front yard.  Next year lets hope for better weather.

Easter on my side was a lot of fun.  Most of Alyce's other cousins where not there leaving her with ample to time to enjoy each and every toy.  There were a few interruptions but everyone managed to play well together.  Her toy of choice was a toy that I played with as a kid a Fisher Price record player.  It is in as good as shape as when I was a kid; a testament to great design.  It winds up and has little records which notches and each notch strikes a note.  A good design that holds up. Be warned the version of this toy they sell now looks the same but the internals are completely different.  It takes batteries now. Is nothing sacred?

The egg hunt was a ruckus affair where the goal was to Dominate The Competition!  Dominate is a tongue in cheek competition we add to the egg hunt to see who can get the most candy the fastest.  Where in fact everyone makes sure that each kid gets roughly the same amount of goodies.  Alyce did a a great job finding eggs and in my opinion Dominated the competition.  But I'm biased.

Easter

Our Easter weekend this year was a rather busy one.  Alyce got to pet some barn animals, ride a pony, and search for Easter eggs, three times!

The Easter events started off on Saturday for us.  We met up with Grams and Papa at GiGi's apartment for an Easter celebration.  The management there puts on an Easter egg hunt along with a petting zoo and a pony ride.  Alyce petted the animals for a few minutes but the pony is really what grabbed her attention.  Alyce patiently waited her turn for a ride and when it was her turn she was very eager to go.  We placed her on the saddle and off she went.  We didn't hold on to her while she rode pony up and down the parking lot.  I was however about two steps away and ready to jump in to catch her if the need should arise.  It didn't.
After the animals it was time for the Easter egg hunt.  The management set out 300 eggs full of candy, money, and other assorted goodies.  The kids ranging from age 2 to 10 were all joining in on the hunt.  However, it was a group start and all the kids went at one time.  The older kids were a little forceful during the hunt with one almost stealing an egg that Mom was guarding for Alyce as she came over.  Mom turned on the full force mommy attitude and told that kid what for.  When it was all said and done Alyce had 13 eggs.  The overly pushy boy, 46.  Still we had a good time and are looking forward to next year.

The next day, Sunday, we met Onermark Grams at church for Easter services.  Following that we went over to my Aunt Marilyn's and Uncle Eric's for lunch and an Easter egg hunt.  It is always great to meet up with my family and catching up on events.  It is also neat to see how much my cousin's kids have grown.  After lunch Sam and Jared went outside to hide the eggs while the kids were sequestered in a bedroom to playing with toys.  Once the eggs were hidden they came in telling the kids that they saw the Easter Bunny hopping off into the woods.  The kids totally bought and the level of excitement went through the roof.  Alyce being one of the oldest kids in the hunt did particularly well but more importantly than age she had a plan.  All the other kids went right while we went left.  Leaving us half the eggs with zero competition.  I'd say that for a few minutes Alyce "dominated".  It was really cool to watch Alyce spot an egg, run to it, and grab it while running past 4 eggs in the process.  Whenever she'd say "I see one" I'd get the biggest smile on my face.


After hanging out at my families we journeyed to Gram's and Papa's house for Easter dinner.  When we first came in Alyce had her 3rd and final Easter egg hunt.  This one was much easier as all the eggs were hidden indoors in two rooms.

Purina Farms

Last weekend the family along with Josh, Tammy, and Gideon all went to Purina Farms.  We had a fun albeit cold time as the weather turned unseasonably cold that day.  We did the best we could to keep Alyce and Luke out of the cold.  I think Alyce and Gideon had a good time.

 

 The first show Alyce saw was the dog show.  Purina Farms hosts the incredible dog challenge every year in October show casing all the neat things dogs can do.  From the agility course, Frisbee catching, to long jumping.  The Purina team showcased the dogs on their team and all the great things they can do.  Alyce's favorite event was the dog long jumping.  After every jump as the crowd was cheering Alyce would jump up and down clapping and squealing.

Later on we ended up in the barn where we got to see bunnies, chickens, pigs, and a very loud cow.  Whenever the cow would moo Alyce would giggle and say the cow was mooing at her.

Alyce also got her picture taken with the Easter Bunny.  We thought she was over her fear of costumed creatures but we were wrong.  It was our turn for pictures and I told Alyce to go stand by the Easter Bunny so I could take a picture.  Alyce's demeanor immediately changed and she clung to my leg with no intention of letting go.  I asked her if it would be ok if I held her while standing next to him.  I guess I was all the security blanket she needed as she agreed and Mom took our picture.

Easter

Alyce had a busy Easter this year. We had two Easter Egg Hunts with one on my side of the family and the other on Mom's side of the family.

The first hunt we attended was on my side of the family out at my Aunt Marilyn's and Uncle Eric's house. We had brunch followed by an egg hunt. Mommy didn't join us on this trip since she is still recovering from delivering baby Luke. Brunch was great with Alyce eating quite a bit and needing minimal help from me.


Once lunch was cleaned up Uncles Jared and Sam hid all of the Easter candy. I think the candy was a bit overbought for just two kids; there was candy going everywhere. Before the hunt even got started I made a big mistake. I forgot to bring an Easter basket for Alyce to use during the hunt. Luckily Grandma came prepared and had a cute Easter basket at the ready. Alyce did very good searching for the candy. This was her second year of hunting eggs so she knew what was going on.

After the hunt I packed Alyce up and we headed back home to pick up Mom and Luke then traveled to Gram's and Pa Pa's house for dinner and an egg hunt there. We did manage to get a hunt in even though bad weather was starting to roll in. Mom put the candy eggs together for Alyce and we both hid them while Alyce was inside. Alyce was all alone in this egg hunt, but there were five adults watching her every move.

Easter was a big success even though we couldn't spent 100% of it together as a family. I look forward to next Easter where things will be a bit less stressful for a newly grown family.