Happy Easter

I would have to say that Easter is just about my favourite holiday of the year. Catching up with family and friends is always a delight but the added ingredient of CHOCOLATE is just the icing on the hot cross bun. There is a fine line between "I have not had enough chocolate" and "I feel sick" which I can never seem to find.

The weekend started with a picnic at Tusmore Park (my favorite park) with some of the Soininen clan - Auntie Chris & Uncle Youni; Kelly & David and their handsome boys; Erin & a few of her friends; Mum, Amy & Olivia. David, Youni and the boys played cricket. My boys adventured in the dry creek bed, and the girls sat and talked while keeping a watchful eye on the roaming children.

Saturday started with a trip to the movies with the cousins to see Horton hears a who. I loaded the kids up with lollies, which they ate even before the movie started, and we appropriately sat an adult between the children to ensure not too much craziness happened throughout the movie. I think our plan worked because Zac, Angus, Rowan & Callum didn't move for most of the movie and only became restless in the last 20 mins.

At the end of the movies we had lunch and separated our own ways. There was a shoe sale in the city which I wanted to go too so mum took the kids while I did a bit of retail therapy. In hind sight I probably should have taken the kids with me because then I wouldn't have had time to purchase that second pair of shoes or those three novels.

In the evening the cinema theme continued and I went with friends, Shelley & Samantha, to see see "The other Boleyn girl" - great movie.

Easter morning arrived. Ailish was the first to arise and search the house for evidence of the Easter Bunny. Once she had located all the goodies she waited until the boys woke up and then proceeded to guide them in the right direction of their loot.

After church we joined the Rowan's, Dorn's, Willoughby's, & Paton families for a picnic at Mt Lofty. We parked ourselves at the bottom of a hill and the kids proceeded to venture to the top and roll down. There were a couple of injuries, Ailish sprained her ankle.

Tender moment between Ailish & Callum



The Girls (Celeste, Ailish & Amelia)

We ended the evening at Ingrid's & Neil's place. The Gollan's joined us. I love that my children are part of a large extended family that loves and looks out for one another. I love that the kids, ranging from 18 to 2 years old, interacts and can find common interests that bind them, even for brief moments - the little ones pushing their older cousin in a swing; Christopher always smiling as Ailish jumps all over him; Jackson and Connor, experienced gamers, tolerating Zac, Rowan and Callum on the PS3. All these activities/interactions were watched over by Papa sitting quietly in the corner.

Callum, Christopher, Rowan, Ailish, Zac, Jackson

(Christopher in background)

Happy Easter.