And The Top Ten Things I Learned from Easter 2011 Are…

1. Seven additional people in my house (including a 1 year old) are just too many.
 
2. Everyone’s Easter basket should have at least a little chocolate in it

3. Hiding and finding Easter eggs is fun for both kids and adults

4. I can cook – I just need a bigger oven and don’t expect all the hot side dishes to all be ready at the same time

5. After giving up my bed to my hubby’s grandpa, I realized A & B need new mattresses!

6. Thank goodness I did not have any more children. A & B are not quiet during nap time/early bedtimes.

7. My hubby has perfected my strategy of finding all sorts of random tasks to complete when his family arrives.

8. Sometimes all someone wants you to do is listen

9. I miss my grandparents.

And the #10 thing I learned from Easter is (drum roll please)

10. My family (and you know who you are) is amazing!

Well, as you can tell from this post, I survived the weekend. And I did it mostly on my terms! Now maybe, I did a little more smiling and nodding than I wanted to, or I made my mom run to Hy-vee at the last minute to get a cake in case my apple pie didn’t turn out, but for the most part, it turned out ok. And someday I will perfect getting everything ready to serve at the same time (and the hot dishes will still be hot!). But at least I didn’t have to run to Hy-vee for Chinese dinner for 10!

Additionally, (and maybe this should be #11), I am a better person. While I have been named Susie Sunshine at work, I do truly believe that a positive attitude makes a world of difference. And I don’t need to get involved in the negative drama, even when it is going on at my house.

I hope the Easter Bunny brought you a great Easter basket!

Jean Anne

P.S. And just to top it off, I started running today for my 5K in October.

Holiday (that’s right – sing it like Madonna)

I was informed less than 2 weeks after New Year’s that I would be hosting Easter at my house. I believe the conversation between my hubby and my mother-in-law went something like:

MIL: “So, we’ll be at your house for Easter.”

Hubby: “What?” (or ahmmmm if he wasn’t really listening)

MIL: “Well, we were in Rockford at your sister’s last year, so unless you want to drive to Wisconsin…”

Hubby: “Okayyyyy.”

You might already have guessed, but I am not the best party planner in the world. Plus, I am not a good cook. So, in addition to doing a full deep clean of the house, finding space for everyone to sleep and praying that I keep my big mouth shut, I have to plan a full weekend of activities and meals. And they have to be healthy meals to boot (not pizza or Chinese from Hy-vee).

Complete honesty here - despite my lack of cooking and party planning skills mentioned above, I love having people over. A & B’s birthday party is one of my favorite times. But, it is very laid back and relaxed. We either grill out or have sandwiches from Hy-vee, my mom makes potato salad and/or pasta salad and we have cake. Decorations are very girly and fun, and we normally have a bounce house in the backyard. Pretty much, it is just one big, chillaxing (yes, I am hip) get together.

I, however, am not so hip to have things thrust upon me. But, in keeping up with the Year of the Mommy, or possibly how Frank Sinatra would say, “I’m doing it my way” this time. That means that there will be lots of fattening foods served (including Spaghetti-os if A & B desire), a dusty house, and my whole family is invited! And if that means family drama, then so be it!

I just hope to keep up this confident attitude! And really, who schedules Easter plans right after Christmas? All I could think of at that time was, when am I going to have time to do all of this laundry?

So, any suggestions for a holiday get together? And how do you survive the holiday stress?

Happy Friday!

Jean Anne