So I’ve been sitting here today feeling all crabby and I’m totally blaming it on the weather because I certainly can’t be expected to be all happy and positive when the sky is gray and the rain is falling, with temperatures in the 40’s. Sure I have the cutest polka dotted rain boots ever, but I’d much rather be wearing my equally cute sneakers and walking in the sunshine, absorbing some much needed vitamin D than puddle jumping in the chilly cold. I hate the darkness of a rainy day and even worse is having to take the dogs out for their business in the rain. That’s simply no fun for any of us. So I decided to stop picking on my friends on Twitter and write a post about a day that was filled with sunshine, delicious food, yummy treats from the Easter bunny, and family time!
First, I will get the pesky little annoying part of out the way. My husband had to work until mid-afternoon. I don’t think the kids and I will ever really get used to that because I’ve always told my kids that holidays are for family time, they are the days you should be able to count on for time together creating memories. That said, we made the most of it. Cody and Nick got to eat donuts for breakfast, which they were very happy about and when they saw their baskets of treats awaiting them on the dining table, they felt like they hit the Easter jackpot.
A few days before I asked everyone if there was anything special they’d like to eat for during the meal or as an appetizer. Of all the dishes they could ask for, Nick wanted me to make deviled eggs. Oddly enough, I had never made them before, but how hard can it be? I mean, if you can boil eggs, making deviled eggs has to be pretty simple. Oh my, it was easier than I thought. I threw them together mid-morning and let them chill in the fridge for a few hours. I pulled them out and called Nick to the kitchen to have a try…….he loved them and requested that I make them more often. And so I will.
Once Paul arrived home from work, the holiday could truly begin. We sat down to an amazing dinner that included ham (for the meat lover), potatoes, roasted asparagus and carrots, and baked onions. It was worth every frazzled minute I spent in the kitchen trying to coordinate everything to arrive to the table at the same time. That whole chef thing is super impressive. I’m not even kidding. After our dinner, we all rested our bellies, I did a quick clean-up in the kitchen, and made another first in my kitchen. A pineapple upside down cake. While it baked in the oven, I cleaned up some more, loaded the dishwasher and caught a peek out the window at Paul and Nick tossing around a baseball. That will be one of my favorite memories of the day. I stood and watched for a few minutes because ladies, you know I’m right when I say that a Dad being a good Dad is a sexy thing. I have a feeling it will be one of Nick’s favorite memories of this Easter as well. Priceless.
The food moment of truth was about to happen. I called everyone to the table for a dessert of the pineapple upside down cake with homemade whipped cream. The boys weren’t over the moon for the cake, especially the whole cooked pineapple thing, but I was very pleased. It was light and fresh and felt like a perfect springtime dessert. I might not be rushing to make it again, but we all gobbled it up and got ready for the next part of our holiday plans. The kids hopped on their bicycles and Paul and I laced up our sneakers and headed down the street to the high school. I love that we live so close to the high school because there’s a track and the kids can ride in circles at whatever speed they choose and I know they are safe from vehicles, plus Paul and I can walk and keep track of our distance if we choose. I had no idea that the track would be where I would laugh the most and my heart would swell the biggest. After a few spins around the track both boys parked their bikes and walked/jogged/ran around the track a bit and then Nick decided it would be fun to chase after his big brother. Now Cody has never been one for speed or competition. He prefers to go at his own pace and walk at his own, very long, stride, but when Nick started to chase him he ran, he ran really fast. He was looking over his shoulder and laughing the most contagious laugh ever. My cheeks might still be sore from laughing at watching him make several attempts to stop and catch his breath only to feel the footsteps of his brother racing up behind him, all the while with a huge smile on his face and giggling in fear that Nick just might catch him. This was one of the best interactions between Cody and Nick for me to watch. With autism such a huge part of our family life, I always soak in the joy of watching my boys connecting in their own special way. Whether they are quoting or acting scenes from their favorite movies or chasing each other around at the track, I truly appreciate it every single time. I never take it for granted and for those rare and brief times I’d like nothing more than to make time stand still and pretend that every single one of Cody’s social interactions could be so fun and effortless.
Those few minutes were the very best and most memorable of my entire Sunday.
Featured photo credit goes to our friend Ellie for taking one of my most treasured snapshots.
Your family day=Priceless:)
Thank you! 🙂