Easter Sunday

If I had to describe Easter 2011 in one word, it'd be SUGAR without a doubt.

Sadie woke up to find the Easter Bunny had visited overnight (P.S. we did AOK when it came to the new bed - slight crabbing and no rollout injury). The Easter Bunny was smart to limit the amount of candy in each egg; a restraint of one M&M per egg. Those were down the hatch by 7:30 AM, followed by a glazed donut.

Sadie dressed to the nines in her Sunday Best - a new pink dress, ruffle socks and party shoes. She was so proud of her outfit, that she checked herself out in the mirror a few times and made me take a photo. She helped me decorate some cupcakes - few more M&Ms for holiday's sake.

We were invited over to JP and Christine's for Easter dinner, along with some of Alex's other relatives. Sadie only got in a few bites of sweet potato then turned her full attention to dessert. Lollipops, more M&Ms, a Lindt chocolate rabbit, cupcakes. It was disgusting. We tried to intervene, but every time we turned around her mouth was freshly smothered in chocolate.

A missed nap made for a fiesty party-goer. We piled into the car and Sadie announced "I full" then passed out seconds later.

Little Oasis

This could be a terrible mistake, but worth a shot. We converted Sadie's bed into a "big girl bed" this morning. After talking to a few people at work with little ones, they said that some of the bedtime issues went away when the big bed came into play. That's what we're hoping for. Less screaming, crying, drama and asking for everything under the sun (milk, water, juice, ice cubes, different books, different pillows, different blankets, flashlights, pjs mysteriously becoming unzipped, socks too loose...everything).


Alex took out the tool box and magically transformed the tooth-worn crib into a beautiful new toddler bed. We decorated with a fresh sheet, the Princess pillow case, then all of the books/toys Sadie could get her paws on.

T-minus 4 hours till nap time. I'm sweating the trial run.

Marathon Monday

The third Monday in April is always an exciting time in Massachusetts. There are re-enactments of the first battles of the American Revolution on the Lexington Green and The Old North Bridge in Concord. In the morning, mounted re-enactors with state police escorts retrace the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes, calling out warnings the whole way. I've never gone to this live history lesson, but I'm sure in due time we'll make it.

The holiday also marks the running of the Boston Marathon - currently in it's 115th year. Our house is only a mile and a half from the official "3 Mile" marker, so we are very close to all of the action.

Sunday morning we took a ride to Hopkinton to see the freshly painted starting line and the Fried Dough trucks lined up waiting for their visitors. Just 24-hours later the Hopkinton Green would be littered with thousands of runners and spectators. The streets from Hopkinton, through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley and on into the 'burbs of Boston will be lined with screaming fans and lots of signs.

I've run the Boston Marathon three times. In my 20's. When I was childless and had a lot more time and energy. I'd like to do it again some day. Maybe Sadie will be a runner as well and we can be the mother/daughter duo with our cotillion of screaming fans waiting on the sidelines.

Faux Fun

Sadie's caught the Easter Bunny bug, so we've been having mock hunts around the house all week. I fill her eggs with peanut butter crackers, then she goes on a mad hunt to find them (before Maggie does).

Yesterday's hunt was raced in her fancy shoes, which are still a size too big. Sadie's on a Cinderella kick (a much welcomed break from Nemo) and liked the idea of glass slippers. I make a big deal of it when she slips them on, yelling "They fit!" like the movie.

Cotton Tails

I think going to Assumption for their Easter event will become an annual thing. We went today, for the second year in a row. It's a fun little program where you attend Mass, then have an egg hunt and brunch in the cafeteria. I look forward to when my friends have their babies and we can go together.

Mass this year was a little easier, though she said in her loudest voice - during the Gospel - "Sadie take a bath?" Luckily with all of the other jabbering kids there, no one thinks twice (though you'd think the priest would recognize the restless cries and speed things up...). She brought up a can of soup for the homeless and insisted on sharing my necklace during Communion. The egg hunt went a little better than last year. She got the concept but was so concerned on what was inside each egg that she refused to move on to the next until she uncapped the treasure. The Easter Bunny made his official appearance. She squealed and gave a wave. Sadie was also brave going to sit on his lap. She charged at him with no fear.

Sadie rounded out brunch with a little soft serve and sprinkles. The President of the college came by go give his warm welcome to his former students and let Sadie know that if she went to college there too, she'd could have all of the ice cream she wanted. Her application is in the mail.