Easter

We've never spent Easter weekend at home.  We always go to my parents' and spend the weekend with family.  So, we had to make the most of it.  On Thursday, we painted rocks to look like eggs.

We took rocks around to neighbors and grandparents.  I didn't get a picture of them completed.

That night, Zach and I packed Easter eggs, something we've never done before.

On Friday, we dyed eggs.

Final Product

Walmart was giving away free Easter lilies.  It made my day.  It smells so good.

On Saturday, during nap, Monroe and I created this.

 After nap, we did our egg hunt.  It was supposed to snow the next day, so we wanted to do it in the nice weather.  We did it just like my parents do: each kid had certain colors to find.

 After our egg hunt, we went to visit both great grandparents.   The kids opened Easter baskets, and Monroe opened her birthday gift.

 Sunday morning was cold, snowy, and windy.  We lost power several times.  We opened Easter baskets from Mom and Dad (another first).

We picked up Easter brunch from Lochland.  The Easter Bunny had some goodies for us.

 That afternoon, we made an Easter treat.

Baskets from Nana and Papa.

Although we missed our usual Easter activities, we loved our Easter at home.

Basement bathroom project

As soon as we realized that school would likely be called, I said we were doing a house project.  We ordered things for the basement bathroom.

Before:

the floor was hideous

as was the vanity

I also couldn't wait to be done with all the gold braided towel holders

Demo:

First-ever tiling job

After:

We are so pleased with the end result.  

Erin's Birthday

Sunday was my 36th birthday.

I was required to open my gift right away, even before I had my coffee.

I have wanted one of these for at least ten years.  I could never justify the money.  

This is perfect timing because Monroe has been really into baking, and we have plenty of time to be baking.  And, I was completely surprised!

Patrick and Emily delivered me a coffee

 Cupcakes and a gift certificate from Angie and Amy.  We had a nice talk in the driveway.

(Angie's daughter is a wonderful baker)

I also got a bunch of sweet messages from my students.

In the afternoon, I took the kids on a bear hunt.  Our neighborhood had put out a message asking people to put bears in their windows.  I was surprised how many we saw.  We forgot to count, but we talked to neighbors who had counted 47.   The kids had so much fun with this!

While we were gone, Zach used the new mixer to make a delicious banana cake with cream cheese frosting.  He also made homemade pizzas for supper.

After supper, Zach set up a Zoom with our families.  My parents, my siblings, his parents, and his siblings all zoomed with us.  They sang me happy birthday and then watched us eat cake.  It was crazy because in another situation we would never be able to get all of those people at the same time.  In our current situation, though, people don't have anywhere else to be.

We finished the night fire pitting.