snuggle bug easter party

I loved this little "Spring Book" R made at school!  I love how he wrote the words on his own and drew his own little pictures!  These are the first "words" I've seen him write other than his name.  

He was beYOND excited about the Easter Egg hunt and carrying around his basket to ensure he didnt' miss it! :P

All the Snuggle Bugs getting ready to head outside!

Ryder and Lexi at the starting line!

They had a wonderful hunt and then we went in to enjoy some delicious pot lunch dinner provided by all the Snuggle Bug parents, and wonderful smoked meat from Mr. Jerry!--He always does such a good job!

This is Mamaw Rose.  She is like a Snuggle Bug grandma and all the kids just LOVE her!  She told me R was "her buddy" and he wanted his picture made with her!

change

You hear about the different role a parent takes on when it comes to raising the second child.  With the first, everything is so new and exciting and you can’t wait to do anything and everything with that child...especially when it comes to holidays!--Yes, that was totally me!  And still is to an extent!  

Visits to see the Easter Bunny at the mall and spending $30 on pictures that you are also in because your child won’t dare sit there alone with the bunny---but can you really blame them?!  The bunny’s ears are as big, if not bigger than your child!

Dying Easter Eggs, making them their own Easter basket and spending trips to Target and TJ Maxx thinking of the perfect things to put together to create the funnest basket for them...all so I could take pictures of it...to try and keep up with what everybody else is doing for their kids!

Yeah!  All that is fun and it still is...to a degree!  To be real honest...over time it’s not as exciting as it used to be.  Especially considering you have other “gift basket” holidays like Valentine’s Day where you have to find stuff to get for your child to show that you “love” them.  It shouldn't be this way...even though I am guilty of falling into these buy buy buy holidays just as much as everyone else!  I provide R with everything he needs without these holidays.  I shouldn't feel like I have to go to Target and find something for him for his Easter basket...and I am so guilty of feeling that and I’m not going to let that guilt hang over me any more.  

Also...those Easter baskets aren’t even what Easter is truly about.  Getting your picture made with the Easter Bunny isn’t either, and neither is dying eggs.  It’s so easy for kids to get wrapped up and excited about all those fun things...and my child is one of them.  

Fast forward...Ryder is still an only child, yet I feel like he has turned into the second child poor thing.  Thinking about taking him all the way to LR just to see the Easter Bunny and spend $30 on pictures seems like a complete waste of gas AND time.  I’m doing my best to not remind him of “dying eggs” because he’s done it every year since he was born...even at 7 months old.  I’m praying he doesn't remember that that is “tradition” and asks to do them because I just don’t wanna!  

I’m realizing that it’s okay to not do all these things every.single.holiday!  Life will go on and he will still be a happy child!  If R isn't asking to do those specific things, then I've realized I don’t have to kill myself to try and do those things that are only on a mom’s “check list” of things to do during holidays.  And I sure as heck don’t want to feel the need to do them just because everybody else is doing them!  That can burn a parent out real quick!  I don’t want to do those things just to do them...but only do them because we truly want to and because we truly enjoy them the entire time.  That is when the effort and money put into these things doesn't seem like a big deal, and that is how it’s supposed to be!  

I’m scared to even think about what I won’t do with my second and third born...but we’ll deal with that when we get there!  For now...I’m focusing on what makes us happy and just making memories together, not checking things off of our to do list.  

easter table set up

My roommate and and one of my best friends from college recently moved to town with her husband and bought the cutest little house!  They've already repainted every room in the house, redone the flower beds, painted the front door, etc. etc.  I am always excited when she sends me pics of her latest projects!  I keep telling her SHE needs a blog, but if she isn't gonna take me serious, then I'm just gonna blog all her handy work! ;)

With Easter a little over a week away, I thought I would share her cute dining room set up she put together for her family coming in!  

Allie loves all things natural, but I love the turquoise she added to her tablescape.  There aren't too many pastel colors taking over...which can sometimes be overwhelming.  Plain and simple neutrals, with added texture and the perfect amount of color to make it feel Spring-y and make things "pop"!  

The burlap table runner is from their wedding reception...and I am all for reusing things!  The bunny ear napkin rings match perfectly to continue the "rustic" feel.

The ivory eyelet napkins equal-out the burlaps' "rustic-ness" and add just enough "fancy" to the table to make things feels extra SPECIAL!  I'm not sure if I would have though to put the two together on my own...but I LOVE the look and feel that they create!

Love their little china cabinet and all the pretties displayed inside!  {and check out that cute pic of them above! ;)}

She found the little tags, ribbons and stickers at none other than...The Target Dollar Spot!  It gives the table that personalized touch that gives your guest that extra special feeling during their visit!  

Aren't her reupholstered chairs just fabulous!?

I think it all came together VERY well and I can't wait to see pictures of it after the table and plates are full of yummy FOOD as they celebrate the resurrection of our Christ Jesus on Sunday!

Burlap Bunny Ears Napkin Rings / Ivory Lace Napkins / Old Havana Salad Plate {now currently all on sale, but don't tell Allie! ;) }

Easter 2013

Our church is currently adding on to our sanctuary, so we have been meeting in our activity center the passed month or so, and that definitely wasn't going to be enough room for our Easter services, so we met in the High School auditorium....but that also meant no childcare (not that R goes to the nursery anyways)...so I am not ashamed to say we took the iPad to church for lil man to play with.  

It was a beautiful service, as always and Bro. Jason NEVER disappoints on Easter--or any Sunday for that matter!  R did great...I was impressed!

Ever since he has started to go to school full time, he hasn't really been all about going to his Sunday school class on Sundays...and I assume it's just because it's one more time to be away from me and I mean he's with his friends at school ALL day!  But I am happy to say he behaves very well in big church and actually listens to the sermon sometimes and talks to me all about it afterwards, so that makes a Mama's heart happy.

The Easter Bunny stopped by at KeeKee & Poppy's house!  My mug matches my kitchen & I love the verse on it!  The Little Rascals was one of me and Uncle G's favorite movies growing up, so KeeKee urrggghh...The Easter Bunny snagged it for R when she saw it on DVD!  ;)

Oh...you know...just trying to get the perfect picture.  Yeah, that never happens.

We were finally headed out the door to Nana & Papaw's for the afternoon which is always fun!

Helping Karleigh fill up some more eggs with tattoos...

{bad mom....I forgot his Easter basket, so he had to use my lunch box, but he didn't mind!}

The number of cousins who hung eggs has drastically gotten smaller over the years...I guess that's just part of it!

& this is what happens when a sweet boy has had a wild afternoon and no nap!  We took him to his Mimi's on the way home so he could spend the night with her and Pawpaw which is one of his favorite things to do every week!

I wrapped up my #shereadstruth study on The Holy Week that night.  I can't express how blessed I was by this study.  You can read more about my experience HERE.

What a special day with family.  I never want to take an Easter for granted.  If it weren't for our risen savior, we wouldn't be here today.  Thank you Lord!