My Favorite Easter Tradition

I don’t even remember how it started. I am sure I read it in a magazine or saw it on television (this was in the pre-Pinterest/Google era).

Every year before Easter, I receive a magic jelly bean from the Easter Bunny. On the Saturday before Easter, you plant the magic jelly bean. When the Easter Bunny stops by, the magic jelly bean grows into a lollipop. I have done this with my little brother (now almost 28), Zakary (almost 17), and now Andrew (age 5).

Last night while we were out running errands, the Easter Bunny gave Michael and I a red magic jelly bean to give to Andrew. *wink* When we returned home, Andrew was excited to “plant” his bean. We decided to put the jelly bean under a rock behind the van.

The Easter Bunny I decided that behind the van might not be the best place to have the lollipop grow. There are quite a few people that walk their dogs in the mornings, and not knowing how early Andrew would be up, the “Easter Bunny” decided at 4 AM to go outside, move the jelly bean (which should read, “I threw the jelly bean across the street”), and bring the Easter treats in the house from the van. I, I mean the Easter Bunny, “planted” Andrew’s lollipop in the potted plant on the table, and left this note:

Maybe notes shouldn't be written at 4am

Maybe notes shouldn’t be written at 4am

I have tried to scale back my over-buying of candy for the holidays. I bought just a few Reece’s eggs, a marshmallow Spongebob lollipop, and a stuffed sting ray for Andrew. The unit of focus this month at preschool is the ocean. Ray the Ray was the perfect addition to our family! I didn’t get a pic of Andrew and Ray, but this is the wonderful photo of the Spongebob lollipop.

Imaaaagggginnnnnaaatiion!

Interestingly enough, Spongebob tasted like coconut.

Menu Planning and Holidays

Last Friday, I decided to make a menu and grocery list.  I looked ahead on my food holidays calendar, and created a menu to celebrate those holidays.

Monday: Columbus Day – which means Italian – Angel Hair and Alfredo, wedge salad with Italian dressing, and garlic bread made with Jimmy John’s day old French bread

Tuesday: Mushroom Day – Stroganoff with extra portabellos

Wednesday: National Boss Day (Is that a real thing??) – Shepard’s Pie

Thursday: Pasta Day – Ravioli with sausage in a chunky red sauce

Friday: No real holiday, which means choose your own holiday…well not really but we haven’t had BLTs in a while

Weekend: we’ll have a full house, so it’s a little less structured.

Anywho… I have had this all planned out, groceries bought, meals prepped, when I realized at work this morning that today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.  HOW DID I MISS THAT?! I mean, you would think I would remember that being 1/32nd Canadian…I guess I will have to chalk this up to poor planning.  I am sure that my great-great-grandparents would say don’t worry aboot it, eh?