The Easter bunny visited our house last night. With three little ones, we tend to make a big deal out of every holiday, and today is no exception. Childhood is a magical time, and I love creating memories for my children. I love the way their eyes light up when they see something unexpected. I am so grateful that my husband and I have the resources and the time to build these traditions.

 

Last night, the kids “planted” jelly beans in the yard right outside the patio door. We left carrots and water out for the Easter bunny. And this morning they’ll find lollipops have grown overnight from their jelly bean garden. The carrot is gone, the bowl of water if half full. And my husband and I had a blast hiding the Easter eggs last night. They’re color coded so that little man doesn’t get left out of the action. We even hid a few for each other, because when you’re creating magic for your little ones, it has a way of creating a more magical day for you too.

I love planning holidays, birthday parties, and summer picnics with my family. When you’re trying to be mindful of your spending, these events are a chance to really have some fun, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money. And I appreciate it when I see other people or businesses doing this as well. For example, my girls brought home their Easter crafts this past week, and I could tell how much they enjoyed them. I know their teachers are awesome, and their classrooms are places that mix the wonder of childhood with learning. I also visited Afena with my two youngest at the end of the week, and they were so excited to see the safari theme the credit union is decorated with for Kid’s Month. Because they’re both Lucky Buck kids, they got to pick out a small safari animal to take home, too. It was totally unexpected, and I loved seeing them dancing around the lobby, obviously delighted and surprised. I think we all can appreciate those moments that take us by surprise and leave us with happy children and a happy heart.

Pretty soon I’ll be sitting together with our family, enjoying an Easter dinner and good company. The kids will be stuffed full of chocolate and jelly beans, bouncing around like little bunnies themselves. And I’ll be taking it all in, taking a mental snapshot and trying to preserve this moment in memory. I hope you have a wonderful Easter as well. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.