We took Matt and Zach out egging in Glendora. The two boys are just like their dads and I think they hit a few of the same spots too...Actually the cousins all went easter egging. The Easter bunny visited the Glendora apartments and hid eggs all around the gardens.
Kaitlin was a great helper and encouraged the boys by showing them where the "boy eggs" were aka the easy ones. Kaitlin was able to find even the hardest eggs in the bushes. She even took a moment out to climb a tree. In the end she became the Easter bunny and hid the eggs all over again.
Ashley only wanted to find the "girl eggs" aka the hidden ones. She especially liked the fancy sparkly eggs and the candy inside! Ashley was more concerned with finding the eggs that had hidden treats than finding the most eggs. Thankfully she shared her candy with Aunt Shannon!
Matt just wanted to run around outside and the shiny colored ovals were an added bonus. Maybe Matt didn't understand the objective to FIND the eggs; he really enjoyed emptying the basket and watching Tita try to clean up the Easter "grass" inside the baskets. Matt also enjoyed running down the small hill toward the staircase and trying to climb as many stairs as possible before someone came and pulled him down.
Zach chilled in the sunshine and watched the shenanigans happening around him. Even though Zach just learned to walk, I think he was overwhelmed with all the activity and just stayed put for most of the action. The girls were very kind and emptied their baskets out for Zach. By the end of the day he was sitting in a HUGE pile of eggs.
Thankfully my kid doesn't care how much I dress him up. Chuck said not to post this picture, but I just couldn't help myself. Besides the cousins need some ammo to pick on the littler ones with. Oh don't worry James (we're stockpiling the pictures of Matt to pull out when we really want to hold something against you).Here are a few pictures of Tita catching Matt:
Unfortunately, Aunt Tonya got stuck with most of the clean-up...
After the hunt, we enjoyed a little lunch. While we were wrapping up the day and saying good bye, we were talking about mommy and daddy. Tita asked where mommy was and Matt looked at all the pictures of mommy hung in the living room. Tita asked again "where is mommy?" and Matt pointed at the picture of mommy. Then Tita asked "where's daddy?" and drumroll please.... Matt said "daddy". It was clear and distinct and an exact formation of the complete word. We were all so pleased and started clapping. But of course Matt wouldn't say it again no matter how much we begged and pleaded.
Yaaaayyyy Matt!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that Matt is being taken care of so well by his Tita, aunts, and cousins. Next year I think both boys will have the hang of the Easter-egg hunt ... they are going to be a sight!
By the way, Shannon, I think the picture of Zach with his bunny ears is darling! I don't care what Charles says - it was good of you to post it. :)
Autumn,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the email! I just finished reading your entire blog, and yes, it seems we have much in common, to include your hubby being a CW2 (I'm a CW4). We both are military moms, deployed away from our loved ones, and trying to make an impact where ever we find ourselves.
I read with interest your comments regarding the fact that as much as the hospital patients need us, we need them. Although this was something I knew in my soul, I had not thought about it in this context and it touched my heart. When I volunteer here on Bagram, I never struggle to explain why I do what I do - I know why - but perhaps I had never understood why I "needed" to do what I do. Well said...very well said.
Speaking of volunteering, I volunteer for Operation Care and twice a week deliver humanitarian aid packages to the clinic patients (Mondays and Wednesdays). I often find myself at the hospital in my spare time and enjoy bringing toys and interacting with patients as much as I am allowed. Nazia is my little buddy. She and Athek (sp?), her brother, hold such a special place in my heart. In fact, I visited with them and their mother the night before they left and was ecstatic to learn they have safely arrived Cincinnati. If you happen to hear any other good news from them, please do pass it along as they are often in my thoughts and I am certainly out of the information loop.
I leave in May, my time here will be complete. But, should you ever need anything or just want to swap mom stories over coffee, do let me know. I find, at times, military moms just need to brag on their kids and know that someone is listening and understands. Anytime....
Take care, Kristin
Wow, serious man-law violations posting the bunny pic of Zach ... I feel your pain my brother!!
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