EASTER 2018

to get ready for easter, i read the story of the days leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection with the girls each night, and i also slowly collected small items to put in their easter basket over the period of month (shout out to the target's dollar section). the girls loved it and so did i!

we are in these season these days where i am thoroughly enjoying my girls. it's not always like this; that is one of the unexpected lessons of parenthood, that each phase (both good and bad) is temporary.  there was a whole week last year when logan would have a breakdown for reasons unknown to anyone but her and would not be appeased by anything, and there were days when sloane would be in a sour mood as soon as we got home until she went to sleep, likely due to exhaustion from adjusting to school and after-school programs. how strange; that there are times as a parent when you feel like a wretched person for feeling so exhausted and annoyed at your children, but then a few weeks later, or even right after you go to sleep, you miss them, and the moments within those exhausting times. it's a juxtaposition that will never cease to confound me.

the thing that makes this particular time extra special is that the girls really SEE each other and love each other. it's the best thing i've been around as a parent, and somehow it makes everything sweeter and a little bit easier. they are kind to each other, play with each other, and find joy in the little things as long as they are together.

logan looks up to sloane and follows her older sister's lead, she adopts all the variations of "happy birthday" and "rock scissors paper" that sloane comes home and teaches her, sloane is so kind and willing to share everything with logan, and is delighted that logan can and is willing to play all her games and pretend play with her.  i've thought more than once that i wish i could keep them at this exact age, for a whole year.

back to easter! after church, we went to picnic at the japanese garden at maymont, which is becoming one of my favorite spots, and took our time eating and letting the kids play. on our walk back, we lingered as the kids explored trees, flowers and fields, and followed their pace, a welcome change from the hurry that we are used to.