Our Easter Weekend Traditions

For those who observe it, happy Easter weekend! Our family considers itself to be more spiritual than religious, but we still celebrate Easter, and we go for it, man. Even before we had kids, I always put together a little Easter basket for Robbie (yes, I'm a dork, I know), and now that we have two little ones, I'm completely over the top. My mom told me recently that even as a toddler, I was obsessed with holidays. I love themes and parties and decorating, so I guess it makes sense that I'd be so into them.

Easter weekend begins with bunny shaped pancakes on Saturday morning, always with yellow tulips on the table. The kids eat on bunny and Easter egg plates and drink out of spring-themed cups. Then we get dressed and head out for a special activity. Last year, Robbie was on the road so I dropped Emmett off at my mom's (he was only a couple of months old) and took Essley to see Peppa Pig Live. This year, we're going to (weather permitting) go to the park and out for a fun lunch and a visit to the Easter Bunny. Then in the early evening we order pizzas and dye eggs. When I was growing up, dying eggs was one of my favorite events of the year. Even today, the smell of vinegar instantly triggers happy memories. We spread newspaper out over the dining room table and go absolute crazy - I'm talking several dozen eggs and every type of dye and decoration you can imagine. The day ends with popcorn and a movie on the couch, all snuggled up, and then, of course, bed so that the Easter Bunny can come while we're asleep.

On Easter morning, the real fun begins...

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The kids wake up Easter morning to an egg and candy hunt in the house. And the fun begins as soon as they open the bedroom door. We create trails of jelly beans and the eggs we dyed and colorful plastic eggs filled with candies and stickers and little prizes that begin upstairs and pour over into all rooms of the downstairs. As a little girl, I remember finding eggs in my slippers as soon as I stepped out of bed, which was so exciting. I try to recreate that experience for Essley (Emmett is still a little too young, but I think he's starting to get it this year), and so far, it absolutely thrills her. At the end of the egg and candy hunt, the real search for treasure (the Easter basket) begins. We usually hide this in a place that is a little more challenging. Last year we had Easter morning at my mom's house and we hid them in the back her pantry. I still don't know where I'm going to put them this year, but Essley is getting pretty good at hide and seek, so I'm going to have to be creative. We buy pretty "baskets" that they'll be able to use again (this year Essley's is a beige and blush linen bunny and Emmett's is a green felt frog) and fill them with milk chocolate, organic apple sauce pouches, books, sidewalk chalk, and small toys. Last year Essley was overcome with joy when she discovered her basket. She literally squealed and jumped up and down. I can't wait to see her reaction this year.

The rest of Easter day consists of a late brunch (usually eggs and juice, with lemonade mimosas for the grown-ups), then just taking it easy around the house as a family. We'll read the books the kids got in their baskets and play games. Then we go to my dad's for an Easter dinner. He is a great cook and loves to experiment, so he'll usually make something nontraditional. Last year he made a delicious meal with falafel and pitas and olives and salad that everyone loved. Then we come home and eat more candy than we should before bed and call it a wrap.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend, especially because Robbie is home the entire time, so we can all be together as a family. What about you guys? What are your Easter weekend traditions?

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