Wait and see

We have hundreds of children's books in this house. Many of them, we have read hundreds of times.

Some of them I love to read, some of them I grit my teeth and just get through (Disney drivel), and a few have gotten "lost" so I don't have to read them anymore (ahem - Alice in Wonderland).

But this one in particular (a gift from my sister Millie), touches me every time. I do not think I've read it a single time without tears.

It is a simple story about a bunny who dreams to someday become one of the 5 chosen Easter bunnies.

One day a little country girl bunny with a brown skin and a little cotton-ball of a tail said, "Some day I shall grow up to be an Easter Bunny."

Then all of the big white bunnies who lived in fine houses, and the Jack Rabbits with long legs who can run so fast, laughed at the little Cottontail and told her to go back to the country and eat a carrot. But she said, "Wait and see!"

As she goes on to have 21 baby bunnies, she devotes herself to motherhood and loses her dream of becoming an Easter bunny. But when her babies grow to become little girl and boy bunnies, she IS chosen and then she proves herself the swiftest and bravest of them all.

This children's tale turns out to be a beautiful story of modern feminism and motherhood. So wonderfully sweet, and quite amazing in that it was written in 1939. It is an empowering story for all us working mamas for sure.

I hope you will remember this book; and when someone tells you that you can't achieve your dream because you are a girl, or a boy, or are too old, or too young, or have children, or don't have children, or look different than the last achiever looked, that you will believe in yourself and tell them..."Wait and see!" 

Zombie Jesus and egg hunts

Henry, Easter pretty much means eggs and candy to you. This year we tried to explain the Jesus part more to Lucy. I'd say we got mixed results. For example, when showing her a picture of the people finding the empty tomb.

Lucy: Why are they surprised?
Dad: Because Jesus' body isn't there. He came back to life.
Lucy: Wow! That's never happened before... well, except for zombies.

Easter weekend was a bliss of candy, friends, new toys and SUNSHINE. It was great fun but a little crazy.

On Saturday, we did a "hunt and re-hunt" at the SwapShop. The kids hunted the eggs and then brought the empties to a "Refilling Station" where we stuffed and re-hid them to start all over. The older kids helped with the hiding and really got into the spirit of trading and helping the littles. We were out there for 2 hours! It was wonderful and sweet. Community events are not always easy, but so worthwhile and filfilling when everyone has a good time.

We finally got your sugar fueled bodies to bed around 8:30 and getting ready for the big event lasted late into the evening. In fact, the Eater Bunny didn't finish mowing the lawn at 9:30 pm (by the glow of utility light). Cleaning up the ransacked kitchen and putting out the goods took us well onto midnight. Yikes!

Easter morning was bunny specials and more eggs to find. We ate creamed eggs on toast (of course!) for breakfast. And for once you were good in church, might have been something to do with all the candy and toys we let you take.

 Harry, upon seeing a Peep for the first time: "Look Dad, it's a duck on a scooter!"

Later we are off to see friends and another egg hunt resulting in more candy than anyone needs (Lucy actually gave back all of her chocolate saying she's "had enough").

Yup. Our baskets are full and life is sweet. Thank you both for memories your bunny mama will treasure always.

Love you,
Mama