Easter Playdate

This past week I hosted an Easter playdate for some of Cora's friends.  This was my first time hosting a kid party.  (I know, I know.  I have an almost 3 year old. . .it was about time for me to jump into the kid party pool!)  I'll be honest; I was so nervous, y'all!  After one of Carys' early morning feedings, I lay awake just going over the details.  Apparently, the teacher in me refuses to die!  My thoughts swirled around the order of events, transitions, timing, etc.   It was like I was working on one giant lesson plan all night!  Fortunately, the event came and went with only a few minor hitches.  (And, it totally would have gone great without me laying awake worrying/planning all night, sigh...)

Naturally, Cora started off the party like this:

Eliana's Hattie wanted to do something fun for all the kids.  So, she brought everyone a big mylar balloon.  Apparently, mylar balloons are akin to the boogie man in Cora currency.  Oy!  Who knew?!  

Nevertheless, we plowed through.  I read a preschool friendly book of the true Easter story.  And, then, we headed to (the safety of) the backyard where there were no balloons to strike fear in the hearts of small children!  (At least I know I can save money on balloons at her birthday party!)  

The actual Easter egg hunt was really fun.  The two older kids knew what to do and needed no assistance.  

Skylar on the prowl.

Aniketh scoring some Easter loot.

Everyone else had an adult filming/assisting the process.

Julie filming Aiden.  

Yvette filming Lily.

Susy filming Eliana.

Auntie Linda helping Cora.  (I was filming her, naturally!)

(Talk about the mamarazzi!)

My wonderful friend, Smitha, held Carys while I was busy being a shutterbug.  (It is clear to me in this picture that baby girl needs some sun.  She's practically translucent!)

Then, it was group picture time.  That was an adventure!  Here are the outtakes.

This is the best one as far as I could tell.  Or, at least it is the one where you can see pretty much everyone's face!  I have come to realize that trying to take a picture of a group of preschoolers is much like trying to herd cats.  Can I get an amen?!

After some snacks, we introduced Carys to her new boyfriend, wink!  Don't tell Carys' dad.  This is Skyler's brother, Cooper.  He is about a month younger than Carys.  He really didn't seem that interested in her, but I'm sure he's just playing hard to get.  What a cutie!

Right before the party ended, Susy offered to take some pictures of me.  You guys know how it is, right? Once you have kids, the pictures you have of yourself are few and far between.

Sweet Skylar was making me laugh.  She REALLY wanted to be in the picture.  

I'm so thankful for all of our friends who came to play!  And, I'm even more thankful for a Lord and Savior who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - 

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:6-11

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!