Hey Egg Nazi, I'm Talking to You!

It is unfortunate that some people find it necessary to breed.

What is more unfortunate is that those who procreated (but shouldn't have) will then raise their progeny to become more people who should not, under any circumstances, give forth child. Thus we will always have an up and coming generation of people who should not propagate but just happen to conceive faster and easier than should be humanly possible...time and time again. Too bad.

Another lamentable thing happens when these people decide to attend public functions, usually only the free ones. If something is free they will be there just as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow.

The event I am speaking of happened yesterday in the quaint little town in which I reside, in which many "shouldn't breeders" also reside. Too bad.

A local church was hosting an Easter Egg hunt in the park. I could just end there as I am sure you have all experienced something similar to what I am about to say but I will continue because I like the sound of my own voice. (I really don't but I thought that would be funny to say)

It was a nice day if not a bit windy. The sun was out; the skies were blue. Perfect for hunting eggs. Carter was very excited because his sharp little memory recalled last year's festivities and he knew what was in store.

We lined up and waited patiently for the signal. After what seemed like 3 days the siren wailed and chaos ensued. I followed behind Carter with the camera rolling and watched as he ran to one egg, picked it up and then ran really far away to pick up just ONE egg and then ran really far away and picked up just ONE egg. With his methods he was able to run really far away about 5 times before all the eggs were gone. He has not figured out the fierce competition involved and was perfectly happy with his finds, especially because he found a PRIZE egg (I may have been a bit more excited than he was but that is neither here nor there). So it was pleasant enough and Carter had a great time and because he had a great time then I automatically had a great time.

Now, had I turned my camera and focused on the crowd a whole different scenario was playing out. The shouldn't breeders were in full force, making spectacles of themselves. They do not usually like to lay low and blend. They prefer to be front and center. And they were.

Now, Carter and I arrived about 15 minutes before "go time". What you don't see is that the shouldn't breeders pitched a tent and camped over night at the park. While Carter and I were standing in line singing silly songs and and chatting with those next to us...the shouldn't breeders were in offense mode, in a huddle, with a map of the park and the placement of each and every egg and beating game faces onto their children. "Look alive Dusty Ann, if that boy over there gets in your way then kick him where it counts! Take no prisoners!"

When the Master of Ceremonies went front and center, letting us know we were about to start, I told Carter to get ready but the shouldn't breeders were on their mark, legs squatting in the position of an Olympic runner. When the siren sounded I said "go Carter go!" but the shouldn't breeders took off at full speed with their kids flailing and screaming, being dragged by the arm behind them. "Here is an egg Dusty Ann, pick it up quick, here I'll get it for you,and here I'll get this one and this one and this one and watch out kid move it or lose it, and this one and this one." While Carter didn't even get enough eggs to cover the bottom of his basket, the shouldn't breeders had to tap into their stores (they came awfully prepared) and pull out extra grocery sacks because with the help of Momma, Diddy, older brother, Aunt Cher, cousin Bobby, and three other distant relatives, they were bursting at the seams. Dusty Ann collected enough eggs to single-handedly host her own neighborhood hunt. But don't think for a second that was her intentions. In fact, Dusty Ann has no clue what just happened.

I just had to laugh as another mom threw a bloody fit at the fact that an entire family was out picking up eggs for one child. What is it about events like this that bring out the worst in some parents? Are you really that hard-up for cheap candy and plastic eggs? I will buy you a bag of jawbreakers if it means you won't show up to next year's event...in fact I will buy you two and throw in some plastic eggs if you sign to it.

The Easter Bunny Came...like 6 months ago!

So how late can one post possibly be? Since I am making a book I hate to leave out anything I have pictures of. So here ya go!

Looking snazzy in his new Easter suit. I wish I would have taken some good pics outside or something...oh well...he looked so sharp!

The Saturday preceding Easter Sunday, a local church sponsored a big egg hunt in the park...complete with face painting. Carter picked a baseball and was so proud of his new body art that he walked with his left cheek jutting out.

Here he is waiting for the whistle to sound so he could begin collecting eggs.It was not a "hunt" by any means...for his age group they threw a bunch of eggs out onto the tennis court. Carter was so sweet and would just pick up the eggs and hand them to other kids. The kids would look at him like he was crazy before snatching the egg out of his hands.

Even with his giving heart he still came away with a full basket! Check out his loot!

After the egg hunt there was a parade on the main drag. It was a celebratory send off for our local troops who were being deployed. It was very nice and patriotic. I am grateful for the soldiers who are serving our country.

Waving our flags to show support!

We had a great holiday weekend together with just our little family. We did get invited over to dinner on Sunday by some members from our ward...so I lucked out of cooking again! Happy Easter everyone! :)

Easter 2008

Today's Journal: Easter Memories 2008

**WARNING** Very wordy post ahead as I blog in detail about Easter. Don't feel obliged to read. This is my journal...what may be monotonous to some now...will be my magnificent moments in the future. Thus, this post is for me. But do enjoy the pictures!

I finally have a chance to sit down and post, though it is late enough and I should go to bed instead. We all know blogging wins out. This Easter was mellow and COLD! booo! Last year the weather was so sunny and warm and we could play outside all day. Still, it was enjoyable and I think Carter had a good time.

The holidays creep up on me so fast that I never have time to prepare properly and it seems I am always wishing I would have thought about it more ahead of time. On the Friday before Easter I decided I should pick up a paper and find out where the Easter Egg hunts were going to be. Of course the 2 biggest ones in town both started at 10:00 on Saturday...haven't these people heard of staggering?!? We decided to go to the city park, however, on the way there I asked myself "ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!" Why put ourselves through that? Kids packed in all around the perimeter and stacked 10 people deep...Carter would be lucky to come out with all of his limbs let alone an egg. So at the last minute we turned and headed up to the University Wards Stake Center. My friend told me her ward was having an egg hunt at...you guessed it... 10:00 am as well.

We were surprised to see only a handful of cars staggered throughout the parking lot and when we went inside only 2 handfuls of kids. Carter had hit the jackpot indeed! With only maybe a dozen kids and 600 eggs to be had, Carter was in luck!! First a member of the Stake Presidency gave a very short talk about the reason for Easter...I think he had to cut it even shorter because we all know the attention span of our small ones. Then they colored pictures of Jesus and took a picture all together to be sent to "The Friend". Then when the anxiety in the room was enough to suffocate us we were let loose on the eggs. Carter started out very slow, surveying the area and wondering what was going on. Obviously, his memories of the excitement he had last year had faded away over the months and this was all new again. Josh had to get him started by tossing some eggs in his basket and then Carter got the hang of it. I loved this hunt because there were so many eggs that Carter didn't have to compete with any of the other kids...that was enjoyable! In the end his entire basket was full...as well as his mouth! His knew exactly what was in the eggs and it was all we could do to keep him from opening every single egg and stuffing the contents of them into his mouth, paper or no paper!(I can't get this kid to give me a real smile anymore...they all turn out goofy! He is afraid of the flash and always squints his eyes)

On Sunday I was dreadfully sick. I was so congested it hurt. However, I was determined NOT to miss church on Easter. Of all the days to be in attendance I think this day would be a must! I am thankful I went and was able to learn more about my Savior and feel of the Spirit. I was particularly blessed that Josh and I had to meet with a counselor from the Stake (he was there to offer an honorable release to Josh from his calling as 1st counselor in the Elder's Quorum) and he prayed for me to get better fast! It worked! The next day I felt 100 times better. I know prayer is real. I know prayers are answered, no matter how small, or how insignificant matters may seem...prayers are heard. Carter had a blast playing in the nursery as well and like always came out with beautiful art work.

After church I was also determined not to be sick and stay cooped up all day. Cody and Casey invited us out to the middle of nowhere to have dinner at Cody's parents. We took them up on the offer and I was thankful I didn't have to scrounge something up for dinner (again my lack of preparation left much to be desired as far as food in our kitchen). It was a nice afternoon. Though not particularly warm, it wasn't freezing either and Carter loved to walk around out in the big open country and especially loved to jump on the trampoline. He would have jumped all day had we obliged. He liked looking at horses and dogs and kitties. Inside was a fun play room that kept him entertained (for not long enough!) and Casey and Cody hid some eggs around the house for him to find. However, he was now a pro at this game and didn't care about gathering all the eggs...rather opening each one as he came to it and devouring the contents. He ate a whole chocolate factory that day and I ended up really hiding as many eggs as I could too keep him away from them!

It is hard to be at other people's houses with Carter...no matter how baby proof their house my seem...Carter kind find a way to destroy. And try he did. Luckily we were able to escape without any injury or broken knickknacks...at least from what I saw...I hope he didn't leave any hidden surprises for the family to find...ugh. It wears me out trying to keep him calm and everything and everyone in one piece. By the time dinner rolled around...which was very good!! Thank you Cody's mom!!...we were ready to hit the road and hope Carter fell asleep(which he did!) It was an enjoyable afternoon. We played a couple of games with Casey, Cody and Shyanna(one of Cody's sisters) walked around in the fresh air and just enjoyed being in the presence of good company.

We lounged around the rest of the evening and just enjoyed being our little family.

On Monday I still hadn't gotten around to getting Easter baskets ready. I almost skipped it completely...but at the grocery store ran into the 50% off Easter Clearance...and the clouds parted and light was shown round about me and I realized the Easter Baskets would now be a reality...and at half the cost it was all the more fun!

On Monday afternoon I set Carter's basket of goodies out on the couch and then asked him to look around. It took him a minute to spot it but as soon as his eyes caught sight he ran right too it! His favorite gift is a story book projector. It is really a fun little device that projects stories onto the wall...or wherever you point it. This one came with a Winnie the Pooh story. Carter hasn't sat once and listened to the story...but he loves to carry it around and project it on different surfaces. I think it will be a lot more fun once he gets older and can actually sit still (crossing my fingers) I am proud about this purchase because this is a 30.00 product. I couldn't imagine buying it for that price but for 7.00 on clearance I thought it would be a very suitable Easter gift...along with some Dollar Store books, a slinky, and a lamb that goes BOING when you push a button...it scared Carter the first time he pressed it...it was kind of funny;)

Josh got a bunch of his favorite candies...Lindt Lindor Truffles (SOOOOO GOOD) Cadbury cream eggs and some other Cadbury chocolate bars, Twizzlers, and Mike n Ikes.

My basket on the other hand might seem a little ironic after my previous post. It was a little basket with some make-up in it. I never said I didn't like make-up...just that I hardly ever wear it or really know how to wear it! But at 50%(I love when Smith's puts their make-up on sale...which is often) off I got a few things I needed. More mascara (which is my everyday staple) some usually expensive lip gloss but not today, some blush...I thought I would try to do a little brush here and there but only if it will look more natural than showy...and I threw a package of tweezers in as well because they were only .49 cents and what house can't use tweezers? I also got some clear nail polish for that natural shine...I have painted one nail so far. Tacky I know.
All this really only cost like a dollar. Okay...maybe like 9.00..awesome deal!

I wish Josh would be my Easter Bunny...I like surprises too!! He told me it was a mom job though. I will have to change his mind about that here in the near future.

There you have it. Our Easter 2008. Not too much, not too little. Just right.Happy Easter to All...And to All a Goodnight!! (how he fell asleep and stayed asleep like this I will never understand!)