Easter...

...was good fun in Decatur. We went to an early church service (early is normal for us, but this one was at 8 instead of the usual 9, to allow more room at the other two services for those people who show up twice a year whether they need it or not.) with plans to come home and load up casseroles to get on the road. But right in the middle of the sermon, I thought to myself: 'I forgot to devil the eggs!' They were boiled, peeled, and in the fridge, I just didn't get them smooshed up and ready to travel. Which would be really sad, as my only assignments were to bring eggs and carrot cake.

So I had to dash home, and get the eggs prepared and packaged up before we could get on the road. I'd put my two casseroles in the oven before going to church, thinking I would hear an abbreviated sort of Cliff's Notes version of the Easter sermon and be home in a hour. That didn't happen, so the vegetables were a bit over done. But I got it all together, loaded into coolers and out the door. Did you realize that not only do coolers keep cold things cold, they will keep hot things hot (just like the thermos joke!)? So I had one with two gallons of iced tea, and one with casseroles.

There was a good crowd, and surprisingly, they just kept coming... the last of the lunch bunch was still there eating desserts and drinking beer when we left for home around 5:30.  Plenty of good things to eat: lots of ham, casseroles, vegetables in various salads, an assortment of breads and too many desserts to admit to tasting. Though small children can sometimes be peculiar about their food consumption, and often too excited to eat, as well as occasionally too tired, or fussy to sit still for something as mundane as a meal - I am sure no one was lacking for food.

At least a dozen kids (though they were in constant motion, so impossible to count: like chickens in the barnyard) who were very excited about the prospect of hunting eggs. With over four hundred eggs to be found, it was definitely chaotic for an hour or so. Half in the front yard, in grass, trees, and many in plain view for toddlers. And half in the back, in holes, sitting on rocks being obvious, lying in the mulch being blatant, and just generally strewn about for easy pickings for little ones. Who jostled around with older faster kids but certainly got their share of the goods. I suggested a couple of prize eggs, since there would be two separate areas involved, so bought two chocolate bunnies to give to those who found the lucky eggs. They were covered with foil, and a note inside said: Lucky You.

It was so good to visit with the seldom seen, enjoy a day outside with lots of happy kids and families.