The Seidel Six: Easter 2020

Today was Easter Sunday and while different in some ways, also the same in some ways. Since we got married, we made Easter Sunday be a holiday we stayed at home in College Station for. We liked attending our own church and doing our own thing, since we were always the ones to have to travel to our families for so many other holidays. Over the years, before and after we had kids, we would entertain family or friends to spend Easter with us. So, while it was just our family of 6 this year, that was not too different than many years past.

We had an entire plan for the day, which even when planned well, can take so long to accomplish with so many kids at so many different ages. But, we got up early and put on our Sunday best. We made Resurrection rolls with the kids. To make these rolls, you take a marshmallow (represents Jesus), dip it in butter (represents oils), roll is in cinnamon/sugar mixture (represents spices), and then wrap crescent dough around it (represents the tomb). Then you bake them and when you open them up, the marshmallow is gone, representing Jesus rising from the dead. The funniest part of this was Everly's involvement. First, she just wanted to eat the marshmallows. But, then when Atticus was teasing her about eating one, she said "Don't eat Jesus!"

We watched our church service the best we could. Technology allowed us to get it on the TV, but kept us from starting on time. But, the kids colored and stayed pretty quiet while we watched. Then, we went outside to attempt some iPhone-camera timer family photos. Then, we went back inside to do the scavenger hunt that First Baptist Church Bryan gave us. It took the kids around the house and they had so search for clues to send them to the next clue. The funniest moment of this was when they had to go find a clue the bathroom. They didn't see it, so the big kids are coming out and I hear Everly say "I checked the toilet! I didn't find anything. There's just some old poop in there." OH Everly. I love her!

After that, we gave them Easter baskets. Then, while they opened them, Vic hid all of the eggs in the backyard. We took them outside, gave them their color to hunt for, and let them take off. He hid the big kids eggs well and the little girls had an easier hunt. Hazel didn't care about hunting her color, of course. She just picked up any egg. But, she also didn't hunt fast - because she opened her egg right away to just eat whatever was in it. Everly loved hunting, but she had a fun surprise. I got her some Mighty Pups from Paw Patrol and they didn't fit in my eggs. So, Vic just hid them around the yard. She loved looking for all 6 pups in addition to her eggs. The kids were all so good and fun and loved their hunt. We went inside and they opened up their eggs while Vic finished up our lunch.

For lunch, we had ham (my favorite), Granny Irene's Mac and Cheese, Asparagus, and fruit. Then, we had the most delicious little sugar cookies that Debbie Cummings brought over the day before. They look like Easter eggs and I don't know why they are so addicting. It was also fun to sit around the table with just our little family. We fit just right, and it makes me excited for the future as the kids grow bigger and how we can always have these events at the table with our family. While it is tough now with little kids, I want them to have these memories of family dinners. We have been working hard on that lately since COVID-19 started. We tend to go back and forth as the past few years have happened because anytime you have a new baby, there is not a normal routine. So, it takes awhile to get back to family style dinners (as opposed to parents eating while standing, big kids at the bar, etc.)

After lunch and cleanup, we finally rested. We tried to fly kites later that afternoon (we thought the wind was right, but it was not) and then Hazel and I did magnets and chalk on the back porch while we watched everyone else jump on the trampoline. The kids LOVE it right now when Vic jumps with them because he bounces them so high! Then, family FaceTimes, baths, dinner, Muppets Most Wanted movie, and finally bedtime. Of course, Grace couldn't go to sleep until she had melatonin and that was after she begged to be on our floor to sleep and even had to start doing some schoolwork (I told her if she wasn't going to sleep, she might as well get started on her work). She finally fell asleep on the couch, but she will be in here later for sure to sleep on her already made pallet next to my side of the bed. Gracie - we love you, but goodness, I wish you'd sleep in your bed.

It was a really great Easter!

Resurrection Rolls & Easter Service