"Hoppy" Easter...and Other "Stuff"

I was very excited about a long weekend this Easter.  After not working full time for 11 years I am REALLY enjoying being back in the classroom (way more than I thought I would) and I am COMPLETELY enjoying those little kindergartners!  But...the crazy schedule and trying to do my VERY best at school as well as at home was taking their toll on this 40 year old Momma...I needed a break!  Especially since the last 2 weekends were JAMMED with kid activities, chores and have-to-dos...didn't leave Momma any "down time".  I am starting to recognize that I am a girl who desperately NEEDS down time!  So...I was quite please this was a 3 day weekend!

It started off with a bang...both kids were having a friend spend the night.  Not a huge deal but truth be told I am NOT A FAN OF THE SLEEPOVER!  I like just my family, tucked into their beds at night.  End of story.  But...the friends in question are GREAT kids and we had a plan.  Since boy child is getting older and half the fun of a weekend is "staying up late" we decided to let him and his bud take over the basement.  They slept on the couches...had snacks in the fridge and there's a bathroom down there....add the king sized television and a Wii system and they were set...no need for me to stay awake and they could get us if they needed anything.  I had already informed the girl child that she is 8...not 11 and she still has a bedtime with sleepovers...when we go to bed at 10...so do she and her buddy!  End of story.  She was fine with that...so fine that at 10 she was asleep already...I should have known that was too good to be true!!!  With everyone hunkered down for the night...bellies full of pizza and ice cream hubby and I settled in for a good nights' sleep...WRONG!  I was awakened by the girl child at about 1:30am complaining of a tummy ache....then she threw up a little...I took her temp...and she had a fever...here is where I insert apology to other parent!  She showed NO SIGNS of being sick on Thursday but low and behold...when I took her to the doctor on Friday...she has strep throat!  

So...Thursday night's rest was rough...Friday I went back and forth about whether or not to take her to the doctor on Friday or wait until Saturday.  This time my Momma's instinct was 100% correct!  Good thing I didn't wait because by Saturday she'd have been miserable!!!  We started the meds on Friday and she had 2 full doses before bedtime...she woke up on Saturday with a little sore throat but no fever and feeling better...whew!  

Friday was to be "errand day" so I could take it easy on Saturday and maybe have some "me time" but...after a trip to the doctor, McDonald's, CVS and completing a writing assignment that was due the same day...Friday was a BUST!

The good news?  Saturday was better!  The girl spent most of the day working on a cardboard dollhouse with egg carton furniture she found in this month's Family Fun Magazine...with some help from her Dad!

It turned out REALLY cute!  (Forgot to take an "after" photo...I was just enjoying the process!)

Then...in the afternoon...after I finished baking for Easter Brunch (aka...ordering yummies from Panera because I had no intention of spending what was left of my "break" in the kitchen) we decorated Easter Eggs.  Hubby informed me that maybe this would be one of the last years boy child would want to decorate eggs...WRONG!  I informed him that decorating eggs was a REQUIREMENT for this family and even when he is home from college on break, there will be egg decorating before there is partying and girlfriends!  Momma has spoken!  Boy child laughed...maybe he thinks I'm kidding?!

So...here we are...Easter morning.  I've been awake since before 4am (why???) and the boy child has already broken into his basket and hunted down the hidden eggs to have the annoying big brother advantage.  Girl child is all snuggley in her bed getting her beauty rest, hubby is also getting his beauty rest and I am on the bed in my scrapbook/craft room (thank you Patrick!) writing my blog and snuggling my dog.  I plan on picking up the bakery goods around 8am  and then spending some time communing with God outside while exercising and taking in all the beauty spring has to offer.  I may top it off with some Joel...who knows!  Either way I will spend brunch time with my sisters and their families enjoying some yummy treats and then come home and maybe...just maybe... get some of that "down time" I've been craving for weeks!  I wish anyone kind enough to visit Polka Dots and Stripes a very blessed and happy Easter...be sure to count you blessings!  (I know I have too many to count but I certainly try!)