easter. twenty eleven.

My two older boys aren't eating candy in 2011. It's a pretty crazy challenge they took on in January and have stuck to their guns. I went without candy for a year when I was in high school and my parents paid me $100. While chatting it up with my dad over Christmas, my boys wanted to know if they could get paid to not eat candy. I welcomed the challege, but figured it would be too difficult for them. After four months without candy, they aren't even tempted... I'm sure it helps that they are doing it together. They have lots of willpower (and must be money hungry!) Every once in a while, Ben & Luke will give Zack a challenge to go without candy for five days-- or a week and at the end he will get to pick one of their lego men, etc. Needless to say, it's been an interesting year without candy in our house.

Which brings me to Easter. What fun is Easter without candy? Turns out, it can be pretty exciting. In fact, my kids Easter baskets were totally radical. They got string cheese, crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, new toothbrushes and toothpaste, silly string, water balloons, goggles, etc. Were we crying over missing jelly beans and Cadbury eggs? Absolutely not. (although Aaron insisted that the Easter Bunny bring him candy this year, and his wish was granted..)

Simon got a basket too, but was a little confused to find a box of Mr. Clean erasers instead of a toy. As soon as he stops making messes, we will all be a little more happy around here..
I was happy enough to stay away from the sweets & nibble on this chubby neck. This is my nephew Oliver and he is oh! SO! scrumptious!

Aaron's brother and family came to stay for the weekend and we had such a great time together. We met up with old friends for a BBQ and stayed up late talking every night. kt (my sis in law) did lots of cooking because I wasn't feeling too hot. It was so nice to take a nap after church on Sunday and wake up to yummy potatoes and ham for dinner! Too bad I ended up throwing it up a few hours later (and too bad for my husband for having to clean it up because I didn't make it to the bathroom in time.. I did contain it all into one blanket, but still... he is my hero.)


All in all, it was a great Easter weekend and a fabulous week leading up to it without any television or computer in our home. It makes me realize more than ever what really matters in life-- and what we really NEED to be happy. I love my family and I am so grateful for the blessing which are ours. We are all so eggcited to welcome a new little person into our home.