One Year Older

Vince and Joseline’s birthdays are ten days apart, and Vincente’s birthday falls on or near General Conference every year, so birthday parties don’t happen all that often for them.

This year we partied while Papai was in Paris on a French immersion.

While we were taking these pictures

he was taking these pictures

Renae and her kids were down visiting for spring break so we had the entire family there for their birthday. The cake is always a highlight, although Joseline was a little worried about all those people singing happy birthday to her.

She perked right up when it was time for presents. Especially the gift from Jordan to “Joshasilin”. In some world, that spells “Joseline”. I really can’t fault them, though. It’s a hard name to spell, even if you go with the traditional “Jocelyn” spelling. Which to me is even harder than the way we spell it. At least our way makes a little bit of orthographical sense…

In true form, Jordan gifted several of his old toys.

The duct tape covered Nerf ax was a big hit (and still is).

And I am pretty sure Jordan’s gift doubled our stuffed animal collection.

Good thing I made that zoo.

They now have Nerf guns. I’m pretty sure every kid needs a Nerf gun.

The “big” Grandma/Grandpa gifts -

Bumblebee transformer for Vincente. He’s been begging for a “big transformer” since his cousin Sam got one last November for his 5th birthday. He originally asked for Optimus Prime, but I’m pretty sure when he saw Bumblebee all he could think about was how incredibly cool he was that he now had a real transformer. Whoa.

Joseline’s big gift was a bike. She was not incredibly thrilled about it and although we got her to ride around for a little bit she really didn’t want to have anything to do with it. Hopefully she’ll grow out of that.

Spring Bunny

After much discussion and a lack of Easter Bunny around our house for the past 5 years, we have decided that we really don’t like the idea of the Easter Bunny being associated with Easter. I don’t have a problem with Santa Clause, since he was an actual person (or is associated with an actual person) who did things that are related to Christ – gave to the poor.

But the Easter Bunny… brings you candy and presents… I really can’t see any connection between that and the Savior’s atonement, death, and resurrection.

And so, the “Spring Bunny”. We call him Vernal. Ha ha. Rather than celebrate the Easter Bunny on or near Easter, we have decided that we will have the “Spring Bunny” come on the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. While that date sometimes gets really close to Easter, more often than not it’s father away, at least a week or so, and by associating the bunny with spring rather than with Easter we can eat candy and not feel like we’re secularizing Easter. Best of both worlds, right?

This was our first year attempting the “Spring Bunny”. I think it turned out pretty great. Now we need to do some all-out Easter traditions to really make the distinction. Our family is young, so we’re still working out all our traditions.

We carried over a few from our families, with the Spring Bunny – including hiding baskets and eggs/candy all over the house. (this picture is Joseline finding her basket under the table)

Vince is getting old enough to make an egg hunt really fun.

We shared Easter this year with the Wilde’s who have been living with us for a few months while Dan was in China.

Some of my favorite memories from childhood are when we would find Easter candy hidden a few weeks/months/a year after Easter. Ha ha. Nothing better than a stale malt egg!