David, Michelle, Cecelia, and Alanna: Easter Was Early This Year!

Easter came earlier than normal this year. Unfortunately, we weren't ready to make a big trip to Northern Virginia yet to see Dave's family, so we celebrated in North Carolina. And, celebrate we did; over and over. You may remember that Cece is hugely into characters, or people dressed in gigantic costumes. The Easter Bunny was Cece's first love and remains her favorite! Our first Easter egg hunt this year was at our house. All of Cece's friends from her nanny group came over to the house. We had cookie decorating and paint-a-pot activities for the kids. Best of all, we hunted for eggs all around the front of the house!

Easter Party!

Ready for the hunt.

Ali didn't need Easter Eggs to be happy!

Cookie decorating after they painted their pots.

After Cece got her practice at home, we went to a free event in Chapel Hill. The weather was a little rainy (and, whoops, I forgot Ali's stroller, so we had a false start) but it was still really fun. When we arrived, Cece headed right for the Easter Bunny. She cut through the line and gave him the biggest hug you have ever seen. It's was like two old friends who hadn't seen each other in years type of hug. So adorable! It was still about 20 minutes before the hunt was ready to start so we strolled over to the live music. Cece was one of the few kids rocking out and dancing in front of the stage. Daddy and Cece danced and danced while mommy and Ali looked on. They started to draw a crowd because Cece is just so darn cute.

It's been so long!

I love dancing with Daddy!

The Easter egg hunt portion was really well organized. Separated by age, grown ups were NOT allowed in the field. I was panicked at the thought of letting my little one out into a crowd of kids on her own, but the organizers assured us the little ones would do fine as long as all the parents stayed out. She was right. Cece is so bold, when the time came, she slid underneath the ropes and started picking up LOTS of loose candy and eggs too. It was all over in minutes and we didn't waste any time checking out her goodies!

That's her game face.

Where did the eggs go?

Found them!

Tired after a long hunt.

The next weekend we went to Pinehurst for their town egg hunt. Grandmom and Uncle PJ met us there and Cece got her face painted while we waited for the big moment. Once again, she was the most outgoing kid in the crowd, making friends, and playing "Ring Around the Rosie" with any kid willing to play. What a riot! We all had a great time and Grandmom and PJ were happy to be there with us. Oh, she also got more hugs from the Easter Bunny in Pinehurst. She loves him!

First face paint.

New friends.

Some ring around the rosy to distract from all of those eggs!

Best friends until the whistle blows.

Cece would rather get the lollipops than the eggs, and with good reason as the eggs didn't always have the best stuff in them.

Later that day at Grandmoms house, had our Easter cade that Mommy made with help from Cece and Ali. The Easter Bunny came that night and Cece got candy (which she was allowed to eat in the morning!!) and a bike helmet. Or, "Ho-Mitt" as Cece called it. The weather had been getting nice and her friends VV and Taylor had been stopping by to play on bikes and trikes. Cece needed to be prepared to learn to ride her tricycle.