Gearing up for Easter 2013

Easter activities started early with our first egg hunt on Wednesday at the Waldrop home.  They have such a unique and lovely backyard situated along Saugahatchee Creek, lots of fun places for hiding eggs!

I love this picture below.  I know that this picture will forever remind me of Turner choosing (with a little encouragement from her Daddy) to put some of her eggs back so a little boy who had arrived late could have some eggs to find.  Mark promised her two treats for her kindness and he assured her that Daddy's treats were better than any treats that might be in those eggs.  I would say that's a parallel to our Heavenly Father's encouragement that He will bless us for our sacrifices, particularly when we sacrifice to help others, and His blessings are always best. 

On Thursday, since Turner's school was not on spring break, I was able to participate and help with her school Easter party and egg hunt!  I loved the fact that children had been assigned a number and they were to find all the eggs with their individual number - all children got the same amount of eggs, there was no shoving or fighting for eggs - it was brilliant!

She probably shouldn't be giggling and peeking during the prayer - but I probably shouldn't have been snapping pictures either!

Earlier in the day (because it was "S" week) they had had a snake visit the classroom.  Turner apparently freaked out a little and wouldn't touch it, etc.  But, after the egg hunt everyone wanted another turn with the snake before they went home.  I was very proud of Turner for overcoming her anxieties and actually holding the snake!

Thursday afternoon, our friend Joshua Haines came over to play for a while.  We don't get to see him often enough but they always have such a good time together!  They dyed eggs and played on the swingset in absolutely beautiful spring weather!

They both wanted to eat some of the hard boiled eggs and in this particular moment were stuffing their mouths with the yolks...silly girl and boy!

This picture was text to me by a good friend the morning of our church Easter egg hunt.  What can you do but laugh - particularly since Mark wore these the entire event!  :)

Turner, Aubrey, and Hudson - these three are a mess in the afternoons at the Odom house!

I would guess it's a pretty indescribable feeling to know Turner is this excited to see you when you arrive!  :)

This picture will forever remind me of one of my more embarrassing moments as a parent.  If you know me, you know I am pretty competitive.  Turner was taking a more lackadaisical approach to her egg hunting, likely because the eggs were just "sitting out in the open" and not actually hidden.  Nevertheless, Turner found a hot pink egg, and knowing that was her best buddy's favorite color she ran over to Aubrey and tried to give it to her.  A sweet and thoughtful gesture for sure, one that would certainly make us think that Mark's encouragement of her sharing eggs earlier in the week had resonated with her.  And then there's competitive mom observing all this...as I am watching her I am saying, "Turner, what are you doing?  Go get some eggs!  Turner, put the egg in your basket!"  You can see her look of utter confusion below, almost as if she's thinking, "Mommy, what are you saying?  Why are you telling me not to share?"  I am still embarrassed by the fact that my natural competitive side took over momentarily and I was loudly cheering/chiding my child on at an EGG HUNT!!??  Good grief...

That afternoon Turner and Anderson dyed a few eggs in the back yard as we eagerly awaited the arrival of BB and Matt from Birmingham. 

This just melts my heart.  "I love Pop" written in Turner's sweet handwriting and held in my daddy's hands.

Enjoying the beautiful weather we had a rousing softball game in the yard and even some cheer-leading before the night ended.  Such a fun weekend with family!