Denial anyone? I have lots of extra. We decorated eggs and then when the bunnies were asleep, hid them. We prepped baskets; using couch money and jellybeans to stuff plastic eggs. There were little toys and surprises everywhere in celebration of Easter yes, but also of innocence. Easter and Christmas are my favorite holidays because of all the hullaballoo for children. I love doing that: gifts, surprises...we even stuff a couple of eggs with dog treats. No one should be left out. It truly makes me happy to see that kind of joy: pure and simle.
They came bounding down the hall giggling and pointing. We waited in bed. I confess that my toes were wiggling excitedly under the sheets. I could hardly wait. I loved listening to them:
"I see one!"
"There's MINE!"
"I wonder what he brought. Maybe a pony?"
"Nooooo. It'd poop on the carpet and Mommy would be mad. THEN we couldn't keep it."
"I know, Dummy...I was JUST sayin..."
"MOOOOOM! He was here~ Let's get started!"
I yawned and began the puppies' routine. They were jumping and giddy but weren't sure why. After a little Mighty Dog, Kibbles n Bits and a trip to the yard, we were ready to rock. Let the games begin.
"On your mark....get seeEET?--"
The kids zoomed from their chairs and scurried about with the dogs on their heels. There was a lot of barking and laughing. Winston was the first to find the baskets and sample the candies inside. He decided he likes the plastic wrapped as opposed to the foil wrapped. I guess foil is kind of scratchy going down eh boy?
We took count. We were missing one real and one plastic. Plastic doesn't bother me; when I find it during cleaning day there's no hoopla ( Not really, I just eat the candy and pocket the change...Hooray me!) not like a real one lost for days and then innocently cracked or smooshed:
"Holy Jumpin George! Where did that green smoke come from? Oh my LORD! Get me a mask and open the windows. We have seepage! WE HAVE SEEPAGE! What do you mean we only have six fans? Light some candles, matches, citronella, sparklers...My eyes are burning. MAKE IT STOOOOPPP auggggghhhhh!"
At last all hideaways were discovered. Ben was prattling on about the Easter Bunny knowing just where to hide the loot. He thought this was amazing. Maddie was right in on it coming up with ideas on how he gets in and how he knows to leave only the GOOD candies...and then it happened.
She looked at me and winked; the really big kind that consumes half of your face, wrinkles your hair, and makes the other side of your mouth open like a bass. I smiled softly and a little sadly. I knew this day would come as much as I hoped it wouldn't. My shoulders shrunk a bit and I fought a tear or two.
Maddie is extremely intuitive and smart, capable of reading people (although she herself is an open book...wonder where she gets THAT???) very well. She leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Thanks Easter Bunny" She whispered. "Don't worry Mommy. I won't tell. It will be our secret." She patted my shoulders and stuffed a chocolate into her mouth and mine. Funny. For being the GOOD candy, it was a little bitter and a wee-bit salty. I choked it down. Just a little bit of the magic, the fun seemed to puff apart like your breath on a cold dark morning: it was there and then? gone.
Everyone has to grow up (a little) sometime. At least I'm still "Mommy." It's something I will always be and that's the BEST kept secret. Shhh-don't tell ...
Now please pass the Reese's eggs. They ARE my favorite!!
I hope you have a wonderful day. THanks for thinking to pop in. I appreciate it.
