Celebrating Spring

The snow has been blowing all day today, making the eighty degree weather from a couple of weeks ago seem like a dream. I suppose this is more typical of Michigan springtime. Easter weekend actually felt like spring, with the sun shining brightly and the temps in the 50's and 60's. The nights were cold though, so we decided to hold off on planting our new tree outside. Instead, we celebrated springtime with the typical symbols of fertility and birth - bunnies and eggs - all around, a bit of candy (not sure where this tradition comes from?!), and time with family.

We were away on Easter morning, so we did an egg hunt on Friday after waking. She had fun last year, but this year was even better. I think the candy for breakfast at 6:15am is what makes this tradition so much fun.

I love this picture, because Anna looked for this egg (while standing right next to it) for what seemed like ages. She hadn't figured out yet that it was in the candle when I snapped this photo.

We made packaged cinnamon rolls Friday morning. I used to LOVE the Pillsbury version; however, they are loaded with preservatives, food coloring, and artificial flavors, not to mention soy and dairy. I found these at Whole Foods with no soy, dairy, or nasty fillers - and they are even better.

Shortly after our egg hunt, we discovered a visitor on our deck. Perfect timing!

Then we made cut out cookies, because we hadn't had enough sugar for the day. Eggs, bunnies, chicks, butterflies, and flowers.

Saturday morning we packed up and headed to Mo and Papa J's. Anna decorated eggs with Mo and Papa while Blake, Blair, Carolyn, and I enjoyed an afternoon at the theater watching Les Mis.

This picture was taken Sunday morning. I have no idea what the funny face is about, and even though it's blurry, I love it. The Easter bunny came to Mo and Papa's house and hid all the eggs Anna decorated the day before. Of course, there was a basket to dig through from Mo and Papa as well.

We headed to the club in the afternoon for brunch and a much anticipated visit to the Easter bunny. The highlight, however, was not the bunny, but rather the balloon guy who made Anna a ladybug with blue eyes. In the end, Anna decided she didn't even want to see the bunny this year. Go figure. When we finally made it home, Anna discovered a basket from the Easter bunny at our house as well, with a new book, a prism for making rainbows, and some other spring-related goodies.

We've ushered in Spring. Now if the weather would cooperate!