Happy Easter!

We stayed home for Easter, which is where we belong right now.

My parents were nice, and brought cinnamon rolls over yesterday. They literally set them on our steps, texted Travis to come grab them. I didn't have to make the coffee cake I planned to make.

I did a scavenger hunt, despite Travis feeling done with such nonsense. I think as long as the boys enjoy things like that, I'll do it. Usually it's Mica that struggles with the clues. This year it was Isaak that struggled with them. The first was, "5 blue eggs are hidden where a spin cycle happens." Isaak's like, "A spin cycle?! I don't know what that is." Mica's like, "The washer has a spin cycle Isaak." I was vague with some clues on purpose. The last one ended with a pun, "You'll have to weight for your last clue." All the remainder eggs were hidden by the weights.

Truth be told I got 3 different types of M&Ms after Valentine's Day. At the time I felt cheap, now I feel it was really practical.

We spent the majority of the day watching Stranger Things 3. We don't have Netflix, and that's one show we love. I got it around Valentine's Day, for them to get it for Easter.

After we were all done watching Stranger Things 3, we had a quick make shift lunch/dinner. 1/2 a baked potato with cheese, fried ham, and a dollop of plain Greek Yogurt, green beans out of a can because I was out of fresh ones, Travis made a dip with chips. Poof the quickest meal made ever. 

We had a zoom meeting with my sisters and parents at 7. 

That was Easter. What did you do for Easter? Who did you spend the day with?

Random Tid Bits

1. I kind of feel like I'm loosing my mind. It takes me longer to prepare for my classes these days with the change of everything being online. Then certain students don't respond at all.
   
   At some point they have to take responsibility. I don't like the system as much as them being here as well.


2. I splurged and got the boys some things for Easter. I didn't buy any clothes. Let's face it, they live in PJ pants, and their robes these days.
   
   What I got to keep them busy during COVID-19 Stay at Home Days:
   
   
   1000 Piece Puzzle
   
   They both like galaxy like stuff. Mica I think would do better with his own puzzle, but I know they are only going to do this once. I don't want to spend an arm and leg on something they'll do once.
   
   
   
   
   
   Stylus Pens
   
   For their Kindles.
   
   
   
   
   The 5th Book in the Series of Horizon: Liferaft
   
   Isaak asked for another Dav Pilkey book, but I think they are way too easy for him. I don't mind him reading easy things, but I don't want to buy them.
   
   
   
   
   The Copper Gauntlet
   
   Mica's much more realistic about what he wants.
   
   
   
   
   Stranger Things 3
   
   We all like Stranger Things, but we don't have Netflix. I got this awhile ago. It's not the nice set I've gotten in the past from Target. Oh well...it will do.
   
   
   
   
   
3. I always make a coffee cake for Easter morning, so I'm still doing that.
   
   
4. My Mom texted me and my sisters telling us that my Aunt is in the hospital again. She had a surgery to remove some skin, because a wound wouldn't heal. Then she had some small hernias to fix. Boy has it been a difficult surgery. In and out of the hospital way more than we thought. She's been to the ICU a few times. This last time she tried to call a cab to take her. She doesn't want my Mom or Aunt's to get COVID-19, so I get it. My Mom was upset. I don't know the extent of visitors she can have considering we're in the middle of a pandemic. She's single with no kids.
   
   
5. The next day my Mom texted me and my sisters telling us that my Uncle is in the hospital getting yet another unit of blood. This has happened over and over again, since Thanksgiving! He has an internal bleed from radiation he had.
   
   Of course they said on the news that we're lacking on blood, basic antibiotics, O2, masks and gloves. YIKES! What do you worry about most if you or someone you know gets COVID-19? For me it's O2.

WW: Photoshoot Gone Bad {Linky}

I took the boys out on Easter thinking we'd get good pictures. They wouldn't cooperate, Isaak stepped on something sharp, and I hit a giant rock as I was backing up. The photoshoot wasn't great, but I did get three or four good photos. Some of which I'll post at a later time.

This post is mostly about the awkward photos I got.

Just so you don't think my kids are total jerks I'm going to show you two that I like:

Now for the crazy:

They kept butt bumping. 

It's not ideal to put brothers back to back.

Mica does this face a lot!

It wasn't my idea to have them sit on each other.

It was theirs.

This one wins! I'm like, "Oh that's a great photo! The lighting is good. He looks happy."

Look at his fingers! I was annoyed, then couldn't stop laughing. I promise he doesn't go around flipping people off. Maybe I can crop it.

I grew up with sisters. We teased each other, but I don't remember being as crazy as my boys are with photos. Did you grow up with brothers or sisters? Were you goofy like my boys are?

Post ANY post you want comment love on! It doesn't have to be wordless or wordful. I like rules sometimes, but they are meant to be broken. Link up a post! 

What Are Some of Your #easter #basket Ideas?

Scavenger Hunt

Every year I put together a Scavenger Hunt for Easter. We start at the coffee table, and they get a prize and a clue egg. It might say something like, "Where food is cooked you'll find 5 eggs each and the next clue egg."

They run off to look in the stove, or microwave, but there may be 5 eggs each and the clue egg in the pots and pans area instead. The next clue might say something like, "Rub a dub dub there's 14 eggs in the _____ + a clue egg."

They run off to look in the tub.

I hid eggs in the oddest spots. There's a lot of thinking that's involved. At each spot I try and keep  same colored eggs.

Mica caught me once. I bounced up, and opened and shut the front door. I said, "Mica! You just missed the Easter Bunny. He bounced off down the street! Look he left a huge mess in the kitchen!" I didn't finish my Scavenger Hunt that year. He thought it was so neat he almost caught the Easter Bunny.

When he asked all about Santa Claus I had to come clean because he just had too many questions that year. I told him about the Easter Bunny too. He believed me about Santa, but was surprised there's no Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. He didn't believe in a man, but believed in a bunny and fairy! Ha!

What do/did you give to your kids for Easter? 

Usually I try and give them some kind of building thing, like a Lego set and a movie.

Shirts:

I got these shirts (mostly on sale) at Earthbound Trading Company.

2 totally different styles for Isaak:

Mica's obsessed with all things space. The boy watches YouTube videos on scientists talking about space.

This shirt was from Earthbound Trading Company:

This shirt was from Kohl's:

They are getting shorts with them too. I didn't think I'd shoot a photo of those.

Snacks:

The boys eat non stop, so I thought I'd get them some snacks. Annie's makes bunny crackers, so it's perfect for Easter time!

Books or Movies:

I know I'll probably hear something negative about this, but they are getting books instead of movies this year. Mica asked for The Iron Trial and Isaak's all about the Horizon series. He has yet to read this one.

What's Easter without candy?

I wish their favorites were the same things. They'll both eat really anything, but they each gravitate to certain things more than others.

Mica likes jelly beans the most. Isaak likes Peeps a lot. Travis and I could go for anything chocolate, or Reese's. I picked up Jordan Almonds because we all like them.

Clean Up!

One of the clues will be about cleaning. The Easter Bunny really wants them to clean! We don't need a lot of supplies. This should help them.

Since Mica LOVES Quiz Bowl at school, he should get into these Quiz Master games by Goliath.

Isaak has this horrible habit of taking the erasers off the backs of pencils. I'm putting these erasers in some of their plastic eggs.

Other Easter Ideas for Older Kids:

-Money
-Silly Putty
-Slime
-Silly String
-Yo-Yos
-Fidget Toys
-Rubiks Cube
-Wallets or Purses
-Hats

I thought about getting Isaak a felting set, but that so wouldn't be Mica's thing. Of course there's unique things, for different kids.

Do you get excited for Easter?

Disclaimer: I got the Goliath games and erasers awhile back from the companies. I reviewed them already. If you'd like to get the erasers you can get them here. If you'd like to get the Quiz Master Games get them here and here. The rest of the stuff in this post I bought. All opinions are my own.

Random Tid Bits

1. I think it's odd that there's "Stationery" like a mailing package, and "Stationary" like someone is holding still. I noticed it's used wrong on graphic design websites all the time.
   
   There's 2 acceptable ways to spell, "Doughnut" and "Donut".
   
   "Wind" like your hair is blowing in the wind, and "Wind" like you wind your clock is the same spelling. The English language is so confusing. 


2. I'm pretty sure Isaak doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny. He's playing his card well. I asked the boys, "So do you guys want to visit the Easter Bunny in a store?" Of course they didn't want to because they are too old. A Reese's Pieces carrot shaped bag fell down onto the ground downstairs. Isaak said, "This fell." I said, "That's too bad!" He said, "We'll have to leave it out for the Easter Bunny." At this point I'm about to tell him, "Isaak that bunny isn't real." I'm ready for, "I know Mom." 




3. Mica thinks the Easter Bunny is like Santa. He starts to ask for things. I'm like, "The Easter Bunny doesn't work that way!" 


4. The Director came into my office earlier this week to say, "I can't tell you anyone's name, or the situation, but a student thinks you don't like her."
   
   What in the heck am I supposed to do with that? It was one of three students. Two girls leave a lot. I started calling them out on it, to show I noticed. The one girl who I know it is went through a lot of depression the first part of the semester was all sad last Friday and left suddenly, which isn't like her. The last student I mentioned is the one.
   
   She was all happy and laughing last Friday morning. Then in the afternoon she was all down in the dumps. She turned no work in to me in the morning. Then slapped it all down on the table with missing components. I said, "You're missing this..." Then I asked if she was alright? She said, "Ya." and left. I told Travis when I got home from work, "I really don't know what I said. I was all excited because we were talking about Children's Books." He said, "Don't blame yourself if she tries something. It's not your fault." A different girl came up and said, "So did the Director talk to you about (insert name)?" So that's how I know who it is. Drama! Students in this field have to have a thick skin. I have no idea what I said, or how I offended anyone that day. I can't even ask because I'm not supposed to know it's her. 


5. Finally taxes are in. With Travis adding that teaching gig, which is done now, me looking for "freelance jobs", and work we just got behind more than normal. They kind of looked cross-eyed at Travis when he turned them in. So much medical stuff this year! But I told him to tell them, "It's all calculated!" I hate doing taxes! I'm going to hate it even more next year when I can't deduct the kid's camps, medical, and dentist. 

Easter or April Fools?

Did you know that April Fools Day falls on Easter this year? 

I'm thinking we should take part in both.

I have my April Fools Day trick ready for Travis. No he doesn't read this blog often, or if at all.

Remember how I got that non cancerous spot called a Lymphoma cut out? That was at a Plastic Surgeon's office. I had to wait and wait at my last appointment. What did I see across the way? I saw a brochure for lip injections.

I'm going to put it out on the table, along with an appointment card, and possibly a Photoshoped image of myself with bigger lips for Travis to see. Am I getting Lip Enhancement Surgery? No! Does he hate unneeded plastic surgery? Why yes he does. 

April Fools! 

I don't know that he'll actually believe that I'm getting it, but at least it will be a good joke. 

I still have to come up with something for the boys. Maybe the Easter Bunny will play a few tricks on them. He could bring them girl toys, or sponges dipped in chocolate.

What foolish tricks do you have up your sleeve?

Easter Tips

I know Easter is in the past now, but I got behind in blogging.

Advice to Newbie Parents:

1. Don't go overboard with Easter. Then your kids expect that the Easter Bunny goes overboard.
   
   There was a year I went overboard because I won a lot of things. Now my kids expect it. Quite frankly I'm ready for Isaak to not believe in the Easter Bunny. Then I can sit the boys down, and explain that they won't get the same amount of things every year.
   
   Mica doesn't believe, but he was busy picking out Lego sets he wanted. I said, "Ummm no Mica! You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!"
   
   Instead of expensive Star Wars Lego sets they got these 3 in 1 build sets that makes a robot, robot dog, and a robot bird. They were in my price range. I thought they were cool because they there's three building options, and they have areas that light up!
   
   
   
   
   
2. Be prepared to ad lib.
   
   If you're caught in the Easter Bunny act like I was when Mica was about 4, or 5 I had to think fast. He got up well past his bedtime to go to the bathroom. I got up, ran to the door, and shut the glass door, leaving the wood door open. Then I said with enthusiasm, "Mica did you just see the Easter Bunny? The Easter Bunny dropped what he was doing, and hopped out the door because you were up!" Mica 1/2 awake woke up really quickly saying, "No I didn't see him!" He thought it was hilarious that he almost caught the Easter Bunny. It was so close that there were 1/2 bags of candy, and plastic eggs all over the kitchen. When he stopped believing in Santa, he still believed in the Easter Bunny because, well he caught him in the act. ;)
   
   We do a Scavenger Hunt every year.
   
   Somehow a clue egg got missed this year. Travis looked at me like it was all my fault. He looked at me like, What are you going to do about it? I yelled out from a different room, "Did you guys see that!?" They were like, "What?" I said, "The Easter Bunny was outside pointing at our mailbox. Go check it out!" There was the next clue in the mailbox. Isaak was standing outside looking up and down the street for the Easter Bunny. Ha!


3. Put stuff in the eggs that is not candy!
   
   Little kids think that finding pennies are like finding gold, I've included small erasers and pencil erasers for school in plastic eggs, costume jewelry for girls, mesh fidget toys, fun pattern socks, small Lego people, Annie's Bunny Crackers - different flavors, fruit snacks (although they are sugary too), nuts, seeds and the list goes on... Then fill the rest up with candy. 


4. Have breakfast made ahead of time!
   
   Kids get you up super early because they are excited to find their loot. I'm tired from staying up to hide eggs. It helps to have something ready to go. It's the one time of year I make Coffee Cake, and some type of egg dish ahead of time. Then I can enjoy Easter morning without slaving away in the kitchen. Other ideas: A Slow Cooker Oatmeal Dish, Breakfast Cookies (these are our favorite), No Cook Protein Bites ( I have pinned board of them), and a Quiche (you could make it crustless if you're gluten free).


5. Don't keep things quiet!
   
   We've always kept things kind of loud when the kids sleep. I vacuumed when they were itty bitty, we watch TV, and Travis grinds metal down in the garage. With Easter it sucks trying to hide eggs if it's oh so quiet. If you're getting eggs ready to hide, do laundry at the same time. Then they can't hear anything, but the washer going. 


6. Make them think!

Like I said earlier we do a Scavenger Hunt. It's not a family tradition. I started it, and my sister liked the idea, so she followed. Ha! The Easter Bunny starts at the coffee table always. He has a clue egg, and others hidden around it. The clue egg may say something like, "8 eggs and the next clue egg are hidden where Mom puts her computer bag to go to work." That was the trunk of the car. Another was, "12 eggs and the next clue egg are hidden where dishes are kept." They looked in the dishwasher at first, then the cupboard where they are kept. The hiding spots are getting harder as they get older. If they are really young - don't hide them at all, and help them with the clues. I did, "Rub a dub dub. 10 eggs are hidden in the ______." Then I just set eggs in the tub area. 

Do you have any tips for the Easter Bunny?

WW: Cheeseburger Piñata {Linky}

This is a cheese burger piñata from Easter time. My nephew Edison thought it would be fun to put it on his head, and walk around.

Easter Grievances

Grievances:

Everyone was fairly happy throughout the big family function, except when the water squirters came out. The bigger kids were having a hay day! Kids were squirting other kids, so there were tears. Parents were blaming other parents for their kids getting squirted in the face. I was done with Easter at that point. I don't like to hear fighting. When my kids were little, we watched them. Watch your kids if you think they are too fragile for a water fight. Doesn't something like that happen every family get together? It does in ours.

My nephew Emerson went home, and had his biggest seizure to date. My sister Terra was about to start CPR, my brother-in-law was about to call 911, but then it stopped. We were trying to figure out if it was the heat, an allergy, or something else. He's cutting teeth, and his jaw is higher than a typical kid's jaw would be. Certain nerves could be hit. We're kind of clueless when it came to the cause. He has had seizures in the past, but nothing that big.

The other bad thing that happened actually happened on Easter. A past student of mine was shot. I'm pretty sad just thinking about it. He was only 29, and left behind a 2 year old. I just want to cry thinking about the little girl growing up without her Dad. His death makes the idea of fighting over a stupid water fight trivial. He was always a happy guy! It's a case that's being investigated. I'm not sure what the cops know. I can say that no one has been arrested.

Rest in Peace Trent

Easter Greats

Greats:

We had our big family Easter on Saturday.

Everyone brings different things to eat. I made a veggie tray and green tea matcha sugar cookies. There were only 8 small cookies left, so the kids must have loved them. There was a whole buffet of desserts. Travis made a rice dish.

All the littles with my Grandpa. He's a Great Grandpa to all these kids - except one. Isaak's in the light purple shirt, and Mica's poking out behind him. He has 9 grandchild (including me), and 15 great grandchildren. The girl in the red pants in the back was put into this group, but she's a grandchild, not a great grandchild.

My Aunt Becky puts on a big Easter Egg Hunt. I added a few things to the hunt that I've gotten for review: Glow in the Dark Rings and yo-yos, and cat and dog dry erasers. 

Here's my parents with their grandchildren:

Do you have a big family get together?

WW: Easter {Linky}

I was beginning to think I had no great Easter shots of my kids because there were no great ones on my camera. Then I checked my phone. I did get a few.

My son Mica and his cousin Evan - 3 months older than him

Isaak was all excited for the egg hunt! He ended up finding the Golden Egg that had a $20 in it!

My Grandpa and his brother Bob enjoy watching the little kids play catch. My Grandpa is in the dark blue shirt. He'll be 90 soonish.

Happy Belated Easter

I sincerely hope everyone had a great Easter. It was a good one at our house.

The Easter Bunny at our house makes a Scavenger Hunt every year. The starting point is always the coffee table. That's where they get their first clue.

Scavenger Hunt - The Clue Eggs are Glittery to Stand Out

1. Welcome to your 2016 Scavenger Hunt. There are 7 eggs each for you to find in, around, and underneath this coffee table. Find the clue egg to take you to to next hiding spot. I hope you have just as much fun finding the eggs, as I did hiding them. - The Easter Bunny 
2. Old Mother Hubbard hid 20 eggs in the _________ . Find 10 eggs each + the next clue egg. (cupboard) 
3. There are 7 eggs where Isaak puts dirty and clean clothes. There are 7 eggs + the next clue egg where Mica hardly ever puts dirty clothes. (hampers - all their dirty clothes were out of there)
4. Find 20 eggs - 10 eggs each low to the ground + the next clue egg. (floor)
5. 5 eggs + the next clue egg are hidden in what takes you to school in the mornings. Look in the front to find a special prize. (car)
6. This is your final clue egg. There are 10 eggs - 5 eggs each hidden in the spot where you get clean. Look for a fun prize. Happy Easter! (bathroom)

So I don't really have 1 pretty basket in 1 spot to photograph. It's more running around to find this and that all over the place. Eggs are hidden outdoors if it's not too cold, snowy, or rainy. None were hidden out there this year. It was wet. In most of the clue eggs there are dollar coins for the boys to split.

Mica said after the hunt, "Mom the tradition is for us to watch one of our new movies in the morning." I'm like, "Ok, so I can have time to work in the kitchen to get ready for the big family get together?!" He said, "Yep." Ha! I think they won that one. They watched their new movie Spaceballs, while I made food.

Source

They laughed and laughed. Travis kept sneaking off to see parts of the movie. He's never seen it.

I was only part successful in my food making. 

I was successful in making my Sweet Potato Puffs:

Sweet Potato Puffs

I was unsuccessful in making White Potato Puffs.

They didn't hold up at all. When baked they turned into pancakes. I didn't add eggs to them. Travis made me skip that. I wonder if that's why they didn't hold up. They still were GOOD tasting. They had powdered ranch dressing in them, and were topped with real bacon bits and chive onions from our garden. They ended up being served like Mashed Potatoes.

Off we went to my Aunt's house to have a big meal, and another egg hunt. This was Mica's last year for the hunt. Next year he gets to hide the eggs and prizes for the little kids.

Right now my youngest cousin, and oldest niece and nephew hide them.

A Few of the Egg Hiders

The big kids were let out after the little ones. Mica kept saying, "This is no fair the little kids are being looters. They took almost everything I saw before." Basically they cleared everything out, and he had to work to find his eggs and prizes. As it should be. It made me chuckle.

Mica and Isaak are Circled

Isaak Found the Golden Egg

It had the most money in it - $20

I got pictures of my kids, but nearly all of them were horrible. Isaak kept avoiding the camera. It was somewhat windy, so Mica's hair was in his face. The boys kept moving, and shoveling candy in their mouthes. 

It was a happy Easter though. What did you do for Easter?

Travis did bitch complain about the lack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Eggs, so I went to the store to buy some on clearance. 

Random Tid Bits

1. I sometimes go to blogs intending on commenting. I read a whole post, get to the bottom, and then see the message, "Comments for this blog post are closed."
   
   I wonder...do they even know I was there trying to comment? 


2. One fun thing the boys are getting from the Easter Bunny this year is Dehydrated Ice Cream. If you have kids what is something they will get for Easter?





Source



3. My Aunt pulls this surprise egg toss on the middle generation. I'm coming prepared this year with a change of clothes. Last time I got egg all over me, even in my hair. 


4. Isaak was a pill last night until he ate. He's like me if he's hungry he's grumpy. Do you get that way to?


5. Travis was in the paper this week. :) He learned tips on writing press releases from an art friend of his. If you want to see his work it's here.