Easter!

I sit here this soggy Monday morning, reflecting on this weekend.  It was pretty uneventful - winding down our spring break to nowhere.  Saturday we stayed close home, Ryan worked on some handy man stuff for our neighbor, I holed up in the basement in the office to start Penny's Easter dress.  Yes, I said START. So after a few hours I managed to finish her dress and make an adorable camera strap cover for Leslie (yep, it's done and sooo cute!).  I went out that evening for a run, I am LOVING this mild weather so that I can run outside.  I just have such a hard time on the treadmill - I do it if I must, but if I have a choice, outdoor running wins hands down.  I went out after my run to finish my grocery shopping and buy my Easter candy.  Yes, my mother is looking down on me shaking her head - I waited until the day before to buy ANYTHING for Easter.  It all worked out, we have replenished our supply of sugar for our home and the kids managed to sufficiently OD'd on sugar despite the fact that their peanut butter cups were in fact round and not in the shape of an egg and our  M & M's are primary colors instead of pastels.  

We woke on Easter morning to Jon having a 102 degree fever, which naturally put a bit of a damper on the days events.  We decided to stay home from church and do our own service, reading from the bible the story of Christ's crucifixion and his rise to heaven.  It was a nice time for all of us together to reflect on what Easter is really all about.  

Ryan and I laughed because we had one basket for the family filled with non-Easter shaped candy and a few books and a Wii game for the kids and the bunny did in fact hide eggs throughout the first floor, but our children didn't discover these treats or even ASK until about 10:30 when Penny came upstairs and said "Egg!" and then ran to the stairs and said "Dew! Wook! Egg!, Dew!!, DDDEEEEWWWW! JAAAAAAA!"  I add the exclamations for emphasis because Penny really talks that way! The boys came up, Jon's motrin kicked in and the egg collection began.  They had such a good time and I did a terrible job videoing the events- we will undoubtedly get motion sickness once we view that video one day.  I am generally NOT the videographer - give me a camera and I am fine, the video camera, I am all over the place.  So I have no pictures of the egg hunt, but one terribly jerky film.

Dad came down, Steve and Anna came over, we ate, celebrated the day and ended it in a quiet way.  Everyone left, I went for a run and the kids went to sleep.  I couldn't help reflect on the absence of mom and how she'd be pleased with the sauce I made (my great-grandmothers recipe on dad's side), appalled that I didn't iron my table clothe, tickled that I folded all my napkins into little fans, and she would shake her head that I skipped making salad because we ate too many appetizers to make it worth it.  I try, but I have big shoes to fill and while I want the table to look nice and ambiance to be suited for my company, I'm a comfortable girl and like to sit and visit.  So I approach holidays a bit more relaxed. That isn't to say I don't try. 

I am particularly pleased with Penny's dress.  It may seem like I only have one child, but Jon wasn't looking his best and he had on sweatpants, Drew was playing Wii for most of the day and well, me, I was enjoying visiting so I didn't hide behind the camera much. Needless to say I don't have many pictures.  Back to Penny's dress, so I tried a different pattern this time, I decided to make the skirt style the same, but not use elastic in the back, I also used contrasting fabric for the thick straps and then sewed button holes for the straps.  For now, I criss-crossed them and tied them in the back to make the dress more fitted for now, as she grows I will just tie knots at the ends to give it a different look and honestly, she'll be able to wear this one until she's probably 6 or 7 because it fits Jon as a tunic-style top.  Wouldn't you love to be a boy in my house!  I like to provide longevity in the stuff I make - it may have only taken me three hours to make, but it is still my efforts that I would like to enjoy for more than just one season.  

  

getting ready to swing

swinging baby

the runny "lady"

its kinda grainy, but i love this picture of my dad

Jon is home today with his fever, which he wasn't too upset about - we've managed to stay pretty healthy so I can't complain.  Plus, Ryan stayed home today, he is feeling a bit puny so we're all still in our jammies, relaxing and holing up in the house on this dreary day.  

I am nearly done with my next project and then on to a custom piece after that!  Until then thanks!