This weekend was a funny one in so many ways. It was Easter, Masters Weekend, and also my birthday. One thing I’ve learned with my wife’s family is that holidays are more than being together…there are very specific rules and there must be pageantry. I’ve also learned that no matter what anyone says, you cannot combine birthdays with holidays.
So for a couple of weeks we’ve been deciding what the Easter bunny would bring the kids and how we would present the gifts. The plans changed quite a few times and we ended up filling eggs and wrapping gifts the night before. We figured that Connor is old enough to start remembering the routine so this would pretty much become “the” tradition. Josie is just starting to use sentences now. So most of her gray matter is not as much focused on the “how,” but the “what.” I requested my mom’s famous strawberry cake but thought it would be a neat twist to bake it in Nita’s train mold for the kids. It was at this point I was informed that it would not be coordinated with Easter activities.
The kids came downstairs and much like Christmas discovered the Easter bunny had brought them presents. We explained that the greatest gift of all was given by God, but at 3 he is a little more interested in the books, trains, and of course candy. At least we got him to say, “Thank you Jesus.” As the kids started playing with the new toys it was almost time for the brunch and hunt.
So the grandparents came over and I made mimosas, coffee, and laid out the brunch. Nita’s brother was in attendance this year. Of course Connor had been snacking on the cheese tray and fruit and was not very hungry…for actual healthy food (we learned later he had way more room for anything covered in sugar, chocolate or had marshmallow filling). After a very quick meal the kids were re-dressed into their Easter attire and Mario and I went to go hide eggs. By hide, we basically made them as visible as possible so no ants would get to the candy before the kids.
Connor came out first and had his little basket in hand. He found the first egg and opened it. He discovered the candy and ate it. It reminded me of the very first hunt with the Houston cousins. All their kids were veterans and Connor was just barely a year and a half. He also LOVED raisins. So like good parents (and newbies) we put little boxes of raisins in his eggs. He opened the first box, sat on the ground and started working on them. We all know it takes a one year old about a week to eat just one little box. So while he was happy as could be with his booty, the other kids ran circles around him grabbing as many eggs as possible. Connor had no idea this was a contest. The other mothers were somewhat horrified and immediately began grabbing eggs out of their kid’s baskets and giving them to Connor. Well Connor thought this was awesome, while the kids were screaming about the unjust circumstances and redistribution of wealth. Connor honestly didn’t care either way, he’d have been happy with one box of raisins.
The following year we had a piñata. If I hadn’t taken a hammer to the damn thing we’d still be swinging at it. Don’t those people (technically us people, but I digress) know the point is for children to hit it 2 or three times and then it should blow up. Anyway, we had a little 12 egg hunt and then the piñata. Connor liked hitting it, but was even more excited when daddy cut a hole out of the bottom for the goods.
Now back to this year. Connor goes out first, grabs an egg, sits, and eats the candy. We say, “Connor go fill up your basket.” Now Josie comes out, we say, “Josie, go get some eggs sweetheart.” She goes straight to Connor’s basket and grabs an egg. (Why did you rob banks Mr. Sutton? Because that’s where the money was). Not too shabby for 17 months eh? Connor sees what is going on and immediately goes to box her out. Josie draws the charge. We separate them; move them to different parts of the yard and the hunt is no longer a quest for quantity, but rather immediate gratification. Connor gets to the point where he’s no longer even looking at what’s inside. He just opens the egg and shoots it like a Jaeger bomb. Josie needs help and picks the larger eggs, comes up to one of us, and says, “Help. Open.” So the sugar rush goes on.
Now it was time for cascarones (confetti eggs). The kids had a great time breaking the eggs over everyone’s head and watching all the confetti come out. They are too young to be violent about this part of the program, but something tells me we are one or two years away from tears and a time out.
Since Nita’s brother’s birthday was so close to Christmas, they always made a big deal about separating it from Christmas, which I can certainly understand. However, this was number 43 for me. Not too significant other than it being a prime number. But I couldn’t serve or eat cake during the Easter party. I had to wait until the kids went to nap, woke up, and then we’d have a ceremony. So I went into Mancave and turned on the Masters. Mom came over and Connor woke up early (big shock, he had enough sugar to knock down a horse) and Connor helped make the cake. Meanwhile Oosthuiszen had just made a double eagle from 260 yards and Mickelson was choking again. They called me for the ceremony. So I pushed pause, went outside while the kids sang “happy birthday” and I blew out my three candles. Connor and Josie also got a candle to blow out for fun. We toasted, I chugged a small glass of champagne, and went back into Mancave to watch Bubba Watson bring me to tears.
All in all, really fun Easter, great birthday. The kids loved the sugar fest, presents, and having everyone around. In fairness I had already pre-purchased a couple of things that I wanted and claimed them as my early birthday presents, so that part was just fine. Not that I think any one does, but don’t feel sorry for me, I’m doing just fine. Sometimes, it’s the thrill of the hunt.
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