B and I spent this past weekend in Michigan with his parents and family- a good time was had by all. Despite a truly heinous drive from Chicago to Detroit, in which the baby cried the entire way we had nice weather and good company for the rest of the holiday. We tried to time our drive with bedtime, thinking G would sleep in the car, but she defied logic and stayed away until we were 5 minutes from our destination. Truly terrible fail.
G also suffered from a little time zone confusion so she and I didn’t make it to church on Sunday, which was disappointing but we decided not to wake the sleeping baby that went to bed five hours late on Friday night and then took an epic 3 hour nap on Saturday. The res of the family made it, and then came back to see the just-woke-up baby-girl dive into her basket. We did manage to get her into her Easter duds to see B’s extended family and participate in the family egg hunt, during which G was delighted to collect eggs and play with the shiny packages inside. Mean Mom wouldn’t let her eat the candy though (she got a small amount of a chocolate egg and later this week we will let her nibble on her bunny from her Great Grandfather). She dug the Easter ham, was not a fan of the deviled eggs. Ah well, more for me.
In a little side commentary, I will say that Easter dresses are hands down the hardest dresses in the world for me to plan. Easter in the Midwest can be enjoyed during a snow storm, dreary rain, or warm sun. I’d initially planned on buying a Boden sweater dress (complete with adorable spring animals) but then, realizing Easter was later in the year, grew wary it would be too warm. Likewise, a smocked bishop dress seemed to be erring on the side of too lightweight, and I hate to cover up smocking with a cardigan. Dear clothing manufacturers: long sleeved springy Easter dresses would sell like hotcakes, JUST SAYING. I instead opted for a simple cotton shift (Carter’s) and an adorable cardigan and ruffle bottom tights. Gracie proudly earned her first grass stained knee, but that is what childhood is about, am I right? At least for other holidays I can be fairly certain of the weather and plan accordingly.
Other weekend highlights: seeing good friends in Detroit (lunch with one, a quick evening beer and live music with another couple), spending time with family, watching Gracie play in grass, taking her to her first Coney Island (where she….threw her Coney on the floor, earning her a trip outside to discuss polite table manners) and nice walk down the street B grew up on, enjoying some sunshine and good company.
We had a much calmer trip home- the Easter basket Buckley Boo monkey was a total hit and kept her entertianed for hours (as did copious amounts of cheddar bunnies). I was really glad I kept her basket simple- the Easter bunny is a fun childhood tradition but I don’t want it turn into Christmas 2.0, and I have fond memories of simple baskets growing up, putting more of an emphasis on church, family, egg hunts and Easter lunch. I’m already contemplating next year…and dying eggs!
