Happy Easter 2011

Easter Time again. Quinn was old enough last year to remember the routine...and to really begin to look forward to the long weekend. In Kindergarten, they begin more discussion about spring and Easter, so this adds fuel to the fire.

Emily still has no clue...and why on God's green earth would you paint an egg? I love pictures like the one above where you can see Quinn deeply concentrating.

I was tasked to help Emily color eggs (also known as: don't get paint / markers on the furniture or clothes). How do you like my bald spot?

Brother and Sister.

In Germany (and much of the rest of the world except the US) there are these things called Surprise Eggs (Überraschungseier, ÜEi for short). They have different names throughout the world (as I've noticed in the many international airports I've been too). They are like a Cadbury's creme egg...but with a toy inside. Kinda like a Cracker Jack Egg. It is amazing what type of toy they can get into the darn thing.

Nonetheless...Quinn and Emily got an XXL ÜEi from our friends for Easter. While Emily has no idea what Easter is, she knows what chocolate looks like, and she got that thing unwrapped and started eating before Eva and I really knew what was going on.

Quinn was her accomplice.

...following pics not necessarily in order...

Eva and I thought that we were super smart in recommending two toy lawnmowers for the kids: one for each. The lawnmowers have always been a hit at the house, and now that Emily is old enough to 'have one' and since Quinn's had to get retired last year...it was time.

The whole thing backfired when Emily found Quinn's lawnmower (right) first. It was clearly on 'his side' of the Easter Egg Hunt. Quinn tries really hard to be diplomatic (he knows it was on 'his side' of the Hunt) and helps Emily find hers. In his 4 year old words, he tried to convince Emily that she found his lawnmower.

She didn't budge. Quinn gives up and just rips his lawnmower out of her hands. Crying ensues. She still thinks Quinn's lawnmower is hers.

Emily is very, very strong willed. Like her mother ;-) Quinn on the hunt.

It took Emily a while to figure out why we were looking behind the bushes so early on a Sunday morning. After all, she doesn't like eggs. Why would she want to find them.

Chocolate. That is the reason. Emily figured out quickly that some of the eggs were chocolate. Emily's *white* knit from my parents (Thank You!) is still clean...but we had to take it off before the lawnmowing got started.

The girl catches on quick. When she saw Quinn's Easter basket, Quinn was still basking in the glory of such a cool easter basket. Quinn, in all his pride, shows it to Emily and starts trying to convince Emily that she probably also has an Easter basket.

Emily sees the chocolate ladybug on Quinn's gift (you can see it in the pic below) and quick like lightning, she rips the piece of chocolate from Quinn's gift and starts running away, happy that she found the chocolate.

I didn't even have time to say 'no'.

Emily on the hunt. Thankfully, the weather was super warm and sunny, allowing us to enjoy the long weekend even more.

More chocolate for breakfast.

Attempted family pictures.

...it's down here somewhere...

...sunglasses from Tante Nina. Danke!

...next attempt at a family pic...

Quinn playing badminton with Tante Nina.

Unfortunately, I somehow nuked the pics of us playing soccer down the street.

As with many holidays, it is amazing how quickly they come and go...but this Easter was a truly relaxing long weekend with great weather and great family time. It is great to see Quinn's excitement as well as Emily's confusion (what's going on here ?)...both of which make me smile from ear to ear!