Do's and Don't's for Next Year's Egg Hunt

Do:  Bring a few empty eggs with you to the store to make sure your non-candy items will fit.  I found tons of great non-candy fillers at the German toy store but alas, my eyes were too big for my stomach eggs and most of the toys had to go into the Easter baskets Sunday morning.  No biggie.  BUT can I just say that hiding little puzzle pieces in the eggs and then putting the puzzles together at the end of the hunt is TOTALLY going to be a family tradition!  (Brilliant idea I found on Pinterest)

Don't:  Assume your small children will totally understand the concept of splitting the loot evenly at the end of the hunt.  They're very into "mine" and "yours" lately, but at the same time didn't seem to understand that there was pretty much two of everything.  SOSTOPFIGHTING.  I mean, maybe next year (or in future years) I should buy two colors of eggs to make it more clear who's treasures are who's.

Do:  Have the hunt right after nap (and on Saturday when there's less going on) so everyone's well rested.  And also to draw out the fun even longer.  Cause duh fun is what it's all about!  And no one's gonna have fun when Momma's barking orders while slamming an egg hunt in between church and a big ham dinner.  (I actually did do it on Saturday, yay for me being smart.  This time ha.)

Don't:  Underestimate the generosity of the grandmothers.  Think: bigger baskets next year to hold the surplus. We're talking not only did both Gigi and Gram send AWESOME goody boxes, but our neighbor Mrs. Ehman also brought the girls each a toy and Oma surprised them with a mini-egg hunt on Sunday!  We have goodies coming out our ears people!

Do:  Remember that part of the special-ness of the holidays (for children AND husbands) is the sugar.  It's okay if they have one (or two or *gasp* three!) treats a day for Easter week(end).

So Don't:  Cringle about how everyone's sugar intake is surely weakening their immune system and now everyone's going to get really sick aaaaand... calm down.  You can hide the candy from the kids and start eating normal again next week.  Now go eat a cookie with your coffee and consider it your CHILL PILL.  If the kids get sick at least they will have been happy doing it ;o)  (I have a grudge against sugar, can you tell?  Sugar is bad.  But it's a special treat and that's okay, even for this hippie!)

Do:  Expect your girly-girls to make you get the eggs hidden under or near anything remotely prickly or branchy (and they count grass as prickly.)  Pansies.

Don't:  Forget to check more thoroughly when hiding the eggs to make sure there aren't any hidden thorn branches in said grass.  So I guess I should be thankful the pansies made ME get those eggs ;o)  At least I was the only one prickered by my stupidity.

Do:  Enjoy the great big smiles and belly laughs that your (and the grandmas') thoughtfulness brings.  I never knew being The Mom during the holidays can be just as much fun as being A Kid.  I remember as a kid going to sleep the night before Easter so excited about wearing my special Easter dress the next day and so so SO excited about the basket of candy that Mom always set out at each of our places at breakfast.  I think I was just as giddy this year as I set the breakfast table full of fun for my own little Monkeys.

A big thanks to Mom and Toni.  

Seriously ladies, your care packages make every holiday that much more special.  I can't wait till we can celebrate some of these little days together.  But until then, know that you are thought of and appreciated for the love you put into our care packages.  Some of the things you come up with to make the holidays special I would never have thought of... I'm so glad I have you lovely ladies backing me up and making these special days ROCK for my girls.  And also, stay tuned for LOTS more pics coming soon to a facebook near you.  It's on the to-do list for today (or tomorrow!) Love ya's!!!