Look at that stud in his Easter 2020 finest <3
We almost didn’t celebrate Easter this year. We certainly didn’t acknowledge that it was technically Spring Break and we were supposed to be on Bald Head Island with the fam. Call me a bad mother, but I was just feeling sad about it and had procrastinated preparing anything for the holiday. I didn’t know if the boys even knew it was Easter, and Mazen has started to doubt the Easter Bunny anyways. I wasn’t going to risk germ at a store and buy a bunch of candy (I haven’t been in a store in a month!) But when Mazen mentioned the Easter Bunny coming a few days before, I thought: “Uh oh! We gotta plan something!” Believe or not, he wasn’t ready to give up his basket. Luckily I knew that our local toy store, Shenanigans, was doing deliveries (SO convenient!), and we put together Easter baskets and an egg hunt (from Thomas’s secret candy stash) on the fly. It ended up being a really nice holiday!
The night before, Mazen’s front tooth was hanging by a thread. I commented that he should try to work it out so the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny could come on the same night. It was sort of stuck facing out so I asked if he wanted me to pop it back to try to knock it loose. With giggles he said yes and put a towel in front of his face. I gave it a tap and the tooth started gushing blood! Poor Mazen was mad it didn’t work. So he wrote this note. (Look who believes now!)
The two collaborated and Mazen found a $2 bill in his basket 🙂 He also got a Star Wars Lego, a bathtub basketball game (to play with Birch), golden chocolate coins, a Pokemon book and eggs with candy. Birchie got a Jellycats bunny, a tiny book, a rubber duckie (duck! he said), and an empty egg because jelly beans are chokeable!
B was actually up at 5am, so I was up super early (he went back to sleep). I made chocolate chip scones for the fam! This recipe is so simple.
I had a whole second one at the stove!
After breakfast and Lego building, we headed out back for an egg hunt. The Easter Bunny had left a trail of carrot pieces leading out the back that clued us in to the hunt. (T snuck down during breakfast to hide eggs.) This was definitely the highlight of the morning, and we were blessed with beautiful spring weather.
We played outside for a while, had a distance visit with Nona, ate lunch, took naps.
I had a wrap with chicken, peppers, cheese, arugula, and homemade ranch.
We spent a lot of time outside and took Birchie on two walks.
At 5:00 we joined my parents and sister’s fam for a Zoom happy hour. We’re crossing our fingers we’ll get to Bald Head this summer.
And we had a simple quarantined mixed dinner: leftover BBQ chicken, jasmine rice, sautéed veggies, sour cream and sriracha!
Plus wine. Nothing fancy this year! This Lost Poet wine from Winc is one of my favorites. I hope they do their Summer Water Society again because that was so fun last year!
Tonya says
Mazen and these letters! LOL! Birch looks adorable in that hat.
Julie says
Maybe you’ve mentioned this, but where are you getting the fresh veggies?
Kath Younger says
We’ve gone to the grocery store twice in a month and when the fresh ones are gone we switch to frozen or meals from Plenty. Thomas went to the store on Thursday so we have had a good stock since!
Kat says
As someone who grew up in a Catholic family, I’m always intrigued by what is “celebrated” at Easter for those who don’t practice religion. I know Christmas has become a secular holiday but Easter (to me, at least!) is to tied to Christianity. What is the story (lesson?) of the Easter Bunny and egg hunts in your home?
Kath Younger says
We are not religious, so to our family Easter is simply a celebration of spring.
Elizabeth says
Kat, you didn’t ask me but I love the question so I’ll add our family’s thoughts: we’re Unitarians so we recognize Jesus as a sacred teacher. Our Easter is about celebrating new life and also recognizing that love and truth can’t be buried or hidden forever – it always wins. Our teleservice yesterday focuses on removing the boulders that cover, or hinder, our hearts from opening.
Looks like your day was fun, Kath!
Kath Younger says
I love how you stated that Elizabet!
Jessie says
I wondered this too. Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and my Easter celebration gave me great hope in this uncertain time! I guess it’s the same as people at Christmas just having Santa come with presents instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Kath Younger says
It’s different for many people
Vicki says
There is actually a strong argument that the roots of Christian Easter come from the Pagan festival celebrating the beginning of Spring and rebirth
Minerva says
Love Birch’s shoes! Can you share where they are from? My baby is a bit younger (11 months), so I like to see what yours is wearing to get ideas for the next stage (I ordered Bird Rock moccasins and he seems comfy in them!).
Kath Younger says
They are Bobux from Green Bean Baby here in town.
Ellen says
I love Birch’s little plaid romper and Mazen’s letter!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Aww, looks like you enjoyed Easter! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Amanda says
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in a funk or feeling sad about the holiday too. Missing church and family was tough. Our 18 month old son is our only child and any chance to play with cousins and be together as a whole family is really important to us, for his sake. The Easter Bunny still came and we hunted for eggs( it was 15 degrees out, got to love northern MN) and had a ham for lunch. With summer looming ahead, I really hope we can reconnect and be safe to visit with family and friends and travel. I worry my son will forget people. He already is acting shy around his grandparents during zoom and video calls. It was a tough day but we made it worthwhile.
Kath Younger says
Totally agree that it’s so sad for the little kids not to visit their grandparents or grandparents see their kiddos through these quick transitions! They grow up so fast and so much changes in a few months.
Alison says
Shenanigans! Loved browsing their store in Barracks Road Shopping Center, even though I didn’t have kids at the time. I experienced a celebrity spotting of Cissy Spacek and her daughter there 32 years ago!
The scones recipe looks fantastic. I think we’ll try it this week.
Such fun pictures of Easter activities!
Charlottesville is so pretty this time of the year.
Happy Spring!
Kath Younger says
Celeb sighting! I was at a wedding with Cissy last year 🙂
The Many Thoughts of a Reader says
We had a lovely lazy day at home. We are not religious either, we discussed the Christian background on Easter to our 8 year old who asked, and summed it up with, at our house we just celebrate the bunny! 🙂 We both grew up going to church (methodist and lutheran) but do not take our children. We made lasagna, garlic bread and pineapple upside down cake. Served with canned applesauce from our trees that we had saved. We did a house easter egg hunt for the 8 year old and hung out outside for awhile and read books and porch drinks for the adults.
Kath Younger says
Sounds lovely!
Megan says
This is for those who are Christian/Catholic and who are struggling to understand how anyone can celebrate Easter who isn’t. I grew up a devout Catholic; Catholic school kinder-college then I joined a convent. I am well versed in my theology.
Fast forward 20 years; I am no longer a Catholic and I still enjoy Easter as a day to spend with my family and friends. (via Zoom this year of course-because human life is #1, no matter what you believe.)
Incidentally, I can think of few things that are more Christ like than the simple act of spending time with loved ones.
Heidi says
Hi Kath! When I was growing up, my dad would hide Easter baskets inside the house for my 3 sisters and me to find, so now I carry on the tradition with our son (Mazen’s age). We moved into a brand new house 2 weeks ago, and he needed a few clues this time! We enjoyed a live stream worship service with our church, a big Easter brunch just the 3 of us, and an evening zoom meeting with my family in NC (18 of us together virtually). I was sad we couldn’t be together in person with people I love, but this was the next best thing! Hey, I would encourage you to read the gospel of John. You can use a free Bible app- my favorite translation is ESV. Consider for yourself who Jesus is. If you’re curious why anyone can have real hope now, or at anytime, look at him. Love your blog- thanks for the great writing and beautiful pictures! Hope you continue to enjoy spring and your family!
Kath Younger says
We always hid them too! One year it took me over an hour to find mine and I was very upset!
I grew up in a church so I know all about the Bible 🙂 Jesus was probably an awesome dude full of love and good intentions, but I don’t believe any more than that. My hope comes from within my brain. Thanks for the recommendations though!
samantha says
Great post! 🙂
Brenda says
My boss and his wife made Easter baskets for their older parents. They filled the baskets with candies, little games or puzzles, lottery tickets and a few more treats……and wait for it……toilet paper! Toilet paper in our area is hard to find! Then they dropped the baskets by their parents house in the middle of the night. We live in very small community and the baskets were tucked away safely on front porches, but very visible to the parents. My boss said I don’t know why we did it, we’re out late and have to get up early Easter morning. He then quickly added it was worth it when they got phone calls from their very excited parents!
Kath Younger says
So cute!!!!