Saturday, April 03, 2010

Easter Prep

We've had a great weekend leading up to Easter.

On Thursday my mom, Annabeth and I went shopping together for Easter dresses. I've been on a diet for the last three weeks and to say it has been fun would be a big, fat, horrible lie. However, going shopping after having lost 8 pounds on said diet is a beautiful thing indeed. Plus, I randomly received an unexpected gift card on the morning of our outing and it couldn't have been better timing.

Curtis had Good Friday off, so I actually had a quiet quiet time in my room while he wrangled the kids. That was nice, especially on such an important day. Later I got a pedicure with half the ladies in our neighborhood. What good are our pretty new dresses if our feet look like Shrek's? Seriously? I skipped the pre-pedi shave, which I know is a nail salon party foul. I'd meant to get a post-winter pedicure a couple of weeks ago, but I cut myself on the heel with my razor right before and was too afraid to go. I couldn't risk it this time. My nail tech had to deal with prickly calves, but at least I didn't go home with a staff infection. Score!

Today Mom and I went to see Last Song, which we both liked very much. Curtis would have been furious with me if I'd been successful at convincing him to take me. My mom was a much better choice. Annabeth is teething horribly and had driven Curtis and I half-mad by dinner time. We opted for a change of scenery and went to a favorite local cafe. I was thrilled when I found the nutrition info on their web site before we went. Every restaurant that does that is my best friend. Every restaurant that does not would be in danger of getting a passive aggressive email from me if I had the time to take up that cause.

I forgot to mention that on Friday I got very brave and dyed eggs with Jackson. It actually went very well and we had a great time. I also happened to have ingredients for my go-to holiday treat - butterscotch haystacks (minus the peanuts) - which gave me the idea to make them into little nests. They were so fun!

Egg dyeing station.



It took forever to boil the eggs, so we made these first. Those are Cadbury mini-eggs in the center. How I have lost weight while pilfering a few of those eggs every day is a mystery.



Curtis and his sister are very big fans of Peeps.





When it came time to dye, I had to do what it took to salvage Jacks' clothes. Sorry.







Our little Easter display. Are those bunny ears to the left? Or is that my little walker's white bow?



I'm going to write a book one day called "The Enthusiastic Child."



I've been blessing myself lately with flowers from the grocery store.



Annabeth got the concept of a tea party today.







I love this little Beauty Bear, even if she is a little cranky.



37 comments:

Heather said...

Amanda!!!! You look AWESOME!!! You can just see how thin you are in those pics with AB! Way to go, friend!!! Have a blessed Easter! Can't wait to see pics of you, Bethie, and AB in your dresses!

Kelly said...

Yeah for 8 lbs! And you and Annabeth are such beauties! And so is Jackson!
We are such twins. I almost made haystacks just like that with the robin eggs but changed my mind last minute.
And do you know about www.dwlz.com? It's my friend - it gives point info for just about every food and restaurant! I'm always looking for somewhere I can eat! :-)

Patty said...

I am thrilled that I bought every person their Easter outfits and my outfit was the last one to get and the hardest to find. In the words of BooMama...Wore me slap out. lol

I saw haystacks in the store today and I thought of you. :)

I have the book, Last Song and have yet to read it, I have been told to be prepared to cry, a lot.

Have a wonderful and blessed Easter!

Missy said...

Love the bird nests!!! I am SO proud of you for being so good on your diet. I need to find out what you are doing and get on that bandwagon! Glad you've had a fun weekend so far and that your toes are ready for tomorrow!

The Andlers said...

Cadbury Mini Eggs are the best. I love them so much. I am a total chocolate snob at Easter and now also at Christmas because they sale Cadbury balls in red/green.

bethany said...

Happy Easter Amanda!
Your haystacks are so cute with the eggs and peeps on them. Very creative.
Way to go on the diet! You deserve to enjoy looking for a cute dress when you've worked so hard. I can't wait to see pics of your dresses.
Kelly always cracks me up with her love of dresses so this year as I was shopping for my Easter dress, I thought of her and found a really cute one at Target! Too bad we've had a run of colder weather...will have to figure out what to do with the toesies..paint them at least!
Have a wonderfully blessed Easter!

Suzi K said...

Those nest looked so adorable, what a great idea. You're inspiring me to loose my last 10 lbs of baby weight!

Marc and Charity said...

Happy Easter Amanda. I'm glad you got some fun things going on this weekend! Addison is not walking yet, does not even care to try! Congrats on losing 8 pounds. Now it's my turn to lose like 20.

Ben and Kristen said...

Did you dye brown eggs? I had 18 brown ones in the fridge but sent my hubby to the store for white ones because I thought they wouldn't work!

Dionna said...

Congrats on the 8lbs! I'm struggling with a stubborn 5 around my middle that I just can't let go of. I love to eat too much and could use some tips. Mainly for lunches. I find myself trying to eat dinner leftovers so they won't go to waste but have been trying soup more often because it's filling. That's good isn't it? I'm so ignorant on food.

Bobbie said...

Sounds like you a really good Good Friday! Your ideas with the haystacks is so stinking cute--I may try that next year. But first I may need the recipe! Is it one that you put in our Siesta cookbook?

Easter blessings to all of you
In His love,
Bobbie

Tara G. said...

I love your little haystack nests! made some cupcakes last year and swirled the frosting into little nests for those cadbury eggs- so yummy. And I do the same thing with my boy re:clothes; it really grieves me when he stains them... Hope you had a wonderful Easter!!

Angela said...

Happy Easter! Proud of that 8 pounds...you go girl!

CAROL LIVIN FOR GOD said...

Have A Blessed Easter
Can't wait to see the Moore Girl's in there dresses.
Little seista looks more and more like you . Loved the picture of Jackson and the big grin.
Blessings to you and yours
Love you all
Carol

Lauren said...

Love your little nests. How creative!

Unknown said...

Those bird's nests are super cute!

Sarah said...

Fun post! Good for you on the weight loss, but you are already thin enough--no more, OK? :)

Love the pics,esp. the last ones with AB. And that Jackson is a ham! Hope you're having a wonderful time celebrating our Risen Savior! :)

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

What sweet pictures Amanda! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful children with your Siestas!

I've been "full" all day thinking about our Awesome Saviour and all that He's done for me!

Last week our little 4-year-old granddaughter asked me: "Where is God?" A little surprised at her question I replied, "He's in Heaven and here with us and everywhere! Why do you ask?" "Well," she said, "we sing a song at church that says, 'He is not here....He's alive!" It hit me immediately that she had been singing an Easter song without knowing the meaning. I explained to her that after Jesus had died and been buried some of his friends went to visit His grave and that when they got there an angel told them He had risen from the dead. "He is not here: for He is risen!" Matthew 28: 6

I was so glad she asked her Ganmamma that question so she could know that He is indeed alive and here with us! :)

Happy Easter!

Marilyn...in Mississippi

Annika said...

Okay...
a) Way to go on the 8 lbs! That's awesome. Can't wait to see pics of the dresses!
b) Your kids are darling, as usual. I especially love Annabeth's bow. So fun.
c) I haven't been able to view the LPM blog for a week or so...is something up with the blog or is it just on my end?? It says the server can't be found. Just thought I'd mention in case I'm not the only one having trouble viewing it.
Happy Easter!

Chaeli said...

Amanda- congrats on the weight loss! That HAS to feel good and encouraging!! I think we are twins- my son is a month younger than Annabeth, and I am also going through a "funk" right now. And I can't place my finger on what exactly it is from. Ugh.

Holly said...

LOVE the last picture. It is beautiful! You need to make that a big one and frame it.

Love to you,
Holly

(who is blasting "Via Dolorosa" 'cause she's loves Sandi Patty singing it. Perfect end to the day...)

Heather said...

Those last pictures are pure sweetness!! I think I need to try your haystacks sometime, yummy!!

Molly said...

I love these shots! The photo's of you and Annabeth are beautiful! I can't get over how Jack looks like you and Annabeth looks so much like your mom! She is darlin! Happy Easter!

Lindsee Lou said...

Those pics are adorable! What a fun Easter weekend.

Rhonda said...

Glad you had a great pre-Easter weekend! My youngest man child goes through a few clothes changes a day for that very reason:) Well done on the 8 lbs.

Deirdre said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the butterscotch eggs nest thingys. My mom has always made those things but she makes them for Halloween as "chocolate worms". I like your version much better.

and congrats on losing 8 pounds.

Allison said...

We gave up sweets for Lent and had not had any over the Lenten season. That being said, I was looking forward to Cadberry Mini Eggs....Ralph went to four stores and could not find them anywhere. I have such a sad heart.

Anonymous said...

That was a great post!

Anonymous said...

Good for you on the weight loss! My husband and I decided to do a cleanse as part of a new meal plan, and it involves five days of eating nothing but broccoli and tuna. After a day and a half we discovered that man cannot live on broccoli and tuna alone, so I added in a salad. We go back to more normal eating in a few days, and I hope to have the same success you've had!

AKat said...

If it were a tangible award, I'd give you the Easter Mom of the Year award for the egg dye-ing and birdnesting. I'm impressed and inspired, because I now want to make those next year.

Also, AB's dress is precious. I'm thinking Neil needs a baby sister, because all these cute little girl clothes I'm seeing are ushering in swarms of the baby bugs.

PS You look great. 8 lbs is to be celebrated! Woohoo!

Tracy said...

This is going to sound strange I'm sure, but you have great eyebrows. Has anyone ever told you that? I have the thinnest, light colored eyebrows (as does my sister and mom and that's what we notice in other ladies!). Anyway, just wanted to let you know!

Kelli said...

You look so great! :)

I didn't make haystacks at Christmas... and now I am kind of sad there are no holidays approaching. Memorial Day haystacks?

katiegfromtennessee said...

Very interesting post, Little Momma, congrats on being healthier!:) I was thinking about taking my man to see The Last Song...don't know?? It really might be too girly for him, I'd hate to subject him to that...those egg nests are soo cute!:) I look at restaurants nutrition menus too, it is scary how many calories are in some meals.

Blessings to ya,

katiegfromtennessee

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Adorable pictures!

Cheri-Beri said...

LOL - I could co-author "The Enthusiastic Child" with you. He's 14 now and he's just as enthusiastic!

Ashton said...

Hi Amanda,
Jackson is that, ENTHUSIASTIC! you ought to write a book that shows a sad person on one page and then Jackson on the next page! Because just by seeing the pictures you have posted of him, he knows how to brighten anybodies day! Or maybe a create a card with Jackson sweet face and his big smile! And then a note from Jackson where he tells someone how to have an enthusiastic day! Call them the Jackson's Enthusiastic greeting cards!
Love, Allison

Lacie said...

Beautiful pictures, Amanda! Your children are gorgeous.