The Easter Bunny Made Me Do It

The Easter Bunny Made Me Do It

Those of you who have been around since November will recognize part of this post...but I have been feeling very "family like" recently and a few other bloggers have some projects going on that have made me want to dedicate the next few Wednesdays to celebrating family traditions, bonds, and preserving family memories.

Let me begin by saying I am a cynic, delightfully so, but a cynic. Holidays drive me nuts. Why can't we just be kind and happy all year? Why can't families and friends gather "just because"? Why do we have to make a big deal about all of this stuff? I am not sure why the holidays and I do not get along {OK, I probably am sure}. I have tried...really I have! But alas I now have kiddos, so I put on my {semi} happy face and deal. 

Also, before I go any further, let me be clear, in regards to my distaste for the holidays, I am speaking from a purely secular standpoint...my family, as a whole, has never practiced a particular religion...although, recently my son and I have begun attending church. So I am not bashing anyone's beliefs...just the hoopla, the candy, and the crap!

Now on to the story...

The most amazing thing happened in our new home that April of 2006. It was Easter, and it was our first away from the family. Honestly, I try to ignore Easter {that is a whole other story NEVER to be told on this blog...EVER, except for $10,000,000.00}. I do not make a big deal about it, but it is hard to do that when you have a kiddo...and then here comes the Easter Bunny to mess with things even more.

Joe was 4-going-on-5 that year and we were still adjusting to life up here - carving out our niche in the community, creating new traditions, and learning to deal with the fog. That Easter we were sans family...it was just the three of us. The Easter Bunny must have known this because he was awful nice that year. When Joe awoke on Sunday morning, that silly bunny had filled his entire room with balloons and left him a treasure map.

Joe was beyond excited - he raced around the house collecting his treasures. He thought this was just about the best thing that had ever happened...and I agree! At the end of the festivities, Joe looked up at me and asked, "Can we write Santa a letter so he can do this too?" I sure didn't want to hear the conversation between Santa and the Bunny that night!

Fast forward to December 25, 2006...and Santa came through! What a guy! Ever since that Easter in 2006, the Easter Bunny and Santa have left a special surprise for the kiddos. This is one of the things that could actually make me change me cynical ways...it is magical!

Just in case you want to let the Easter Bunny

know that you like this idea,

I thought I'd share a snippet of Joe's past hunts.
{Jules was not in the picture yet or too young to play along}

Also, it may say "Santa" below,

but I have talked to the Easter Bunny

and he can totally do this too!

• 2006: He got a map of the house and backyard with X's to mark the spot of his treasure.
• 2007: The kid was seriously into the Magic Tree House Books, and just starting to really read on his own, so the map became a list and it included rhymes as the clues (like the ones in the books...Santa could work on his rhyming ability...maybe he can chat with Matty?)
• 2008: Joe was all about I Spy. Santa can totally sent him on a hunt using abstract photos from around the house. Once Joe began the hunt, at each location a new photo sent him to the next location, until he returned to the Christmas Tree.
  
  
  
  The treasures Santa or the Easter Bunny leaves are simple little things
  like rocks, small books (I am sure he gets them from thrift stores),
  Pokemon cards, playing cards, etc.
  Santa seems to know just what it is the kiddos are "in to."
  Here's a sample letter from Santa.
  

Do you have a special tradition?

I would love to hear about it!