Easter Basket

Easter in our family meant waking up to your basket on the table, full of candy and some cheap toys, with a new dress and coordinating hat on your chair. This is the clan when I was 3, back when I had a true bonnet (my kid does look like me sometimes).

And here is the group three years later

For several years, my mom even took our bears and gave them a make over. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was even purple, my FAVORITE color. With pierced earrings too.

I had upgraded to a hat this year and Lil' Sis inherited the bonnet.

Then I notice my older sister's bear was one of mine, pilfered from my collection during the night.

I was upset in a way only a middle child could understand. 

My poor mother. She promised to get me a new one to replace it but I was not consoled. I'm sure she thought I wouldn't notice the absence of one white bear (I think I had 5 white bears in my collection of 100 stuffed animals) and was trying to make sure my sister didn't feel left out even though she was older. Add that to the work of trimming hats and filling baskets the night before and trying to get everyone ready and out the door for church, it was probably not her favorite holiday.

I'm sure I was such a easy child to raise. I appreciate my mother so much more as an adult. (P.S. Mom, that is only one stained memory among many a fabulous Easter. My ridiculous memory should not make you feel guilty.)

I wasn't on the ball enough to dress up a bear for J, but I found an Easter hat at Target for a $1 and couldn't resist.

Check out the bed head

I love the sleepy, happy expression.

 The chocolate bunny caught her eye first.

And since my lovely parents don't get to hear her sweet little voice enough, here is the video of her discovery. It will probably bore the rest of you folks, but you are welcome to waste 5 minutes if you like.