Santa vs. The Easter Bunny

Last week, as I drove the kids home from preschool, my children began to enumerate the items the Easter Bunny would be bringing that Sunday.

"A TV (aka DVD), a toy, definitely my Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly book," started Jane.

"Yes!" replied Elliot. "And my Skippy John Jones book."

"And my cowboy boots I want. The Easter Bunny will bring those too," Jane finished.

"Hold the phone," I cautioned from the front seat. "The Easter Bunny is NOT Santa Claus. He might bring a toy. And candy. There will certainly be candy."

"Oh boy! Candy!" they shouted.

Because -- let's be realistic -- two preschoolers and a 1-year-old who only recently discovered sugar are not difficult to please.

Dying our Easter eggs. No one could repeat a color.

It still strikes me as humorous that my oldest son is terrified of the idea of a huge white bunny entering our home while he sleeps. He was somewhat pacified by the idea that his basket would have candy.

Jane was only concerned with carrots for the bunny.

Headed down to claim the bounty.

Fairly excited about his own ball ... try not to notice my morning hair.

Showing off the coveted Finn McMissile and Dora paints.

Hunting for eggs in our seriously modified Easter egg hunt.

Awed by the size of his peanut-butter-filled chocolate bunny.

Later that night, as I explained the children's Easter outfits with some delight to Lane, he began to chuckle at me.

"What?" I accused.

"I just find it endearingly funny that you apply so much meaning to little holidays," he answered.

Easter is little? Seriously? Not in the home I grew up in. And I really see no harm with Easter clothes (Lane finds it excessive). Is it excessive when Jane gets a new dress twice a year ... once at Christmas and once at Easter? I don't think so.

Maybe I went a little overboard with the blazers for the boys.

But, seriously, can you fault me?

So cute, I could have died.

Jane had a Spring coat that matched perfectly. It was like the dress and coat were MFEO. I made her headband to match the bow ties I made for the boys.

My dapper little man.

My handsome baby.