Marshmallows for Easter

We had a fantastic Easter Sunday at our zoo! We woke the Heathens up around 8am so that we had time for "bunny activities" before we had to get ready for church.

As always, the Easter Bunny hid several eggs that the Heathens couldn't find. And even the Asst. Zookeeper and I really had to look (and think back carefully) before we found the last two elusive eggs. You would think we would learn by now - but, no.

The Easter Bunny brought the Heathens their Easter outfits for church. Heathen #3 had his new sweater vest on for a total of 3 minutes before he got chocolate down the front. I was actually impressed that it took him that long.

The Heathens always get candy for Easter breakfast. I know it's a bad idea every year, but I can't help it. Who wants a bowl of cereal when you just got a basket of chocolate?

At church, the Heathens were pretty well behaved, especially when taking into account their chocolate intake. And we were actually early for church! As the Asst. Zookeeper proclaimed it, "Another Easter Miracle!"

During the service, Pastor called all the children forward for their "chat." And he always gives them something on holidays. This Sunday, those kids hit pay dirt. They got a baggie of jelly beans, a chocolate cross, a beaded cross necklace, and gummy candy! Can you tell that Pastor has a sweet tooth?

Heathen #3 was the last kid in line to get his candy from Pastor. As he was sliding back into the pew, I didn't even think, I automatically asked, "Did you tell Pastor 'Thank you'?" And of course, Heathen #3 turned to the front of the church and yelled at the top of his little lungs, "THANK YOU PASTOR!!!" I'm so thankful that our older church goers love children. Otherwise, we'd have been strung up long ago. Pastor simply smiled, said "You're welcome," and went right back into his sermon.

After church, we headed for the IN LAWS house - I'm so thankful I never have to cook holiday meals. It's so much more fun to play with all the kids! It was at their house that I finally got the picture of my Heathens in their outfits.

And after our meal, the IN LAWS broke out the Easter gifts for everyone. Most people give others flowers or candy at Easter. Not the IN LAWS. They give out weapons. The first year it was water guns. In the years since, we've received an assortment of dart guns, foam disc guns, anything that shoots something. And the battles are always in the house because it's usually muddy or snowing.

This year was marshmallow shooters! Everyone - children and adults alike - got a marshmallow shooter and a bag of miniature marshmallows. And there were 27 of us at the house for dinner. The rule is that we have to get the kids weapons running before the adults are allowed to get ours out of the packages. Not that we really listen very well.

There were marshmallows everywhere. Every room in the house was littered with miniature marshmallows. It was great! After two hours of shooting marshmallows at each other, we spent two hours picking up marshmallows off the floor. The IN LAWS are planning to have their carpets cleaned professionally this week - you stick to the floor with every step!