Easter miracles

What a day. Up early (for us, on a Sunday). It helped that there were Easter baskets awaiting them. Eddie smiled that half-smile. Chas laughed out loud. The baskets contained mostly toys, since we knew that they'd be seeing plenty of candy later in the day.

Cue Grandpa Harold, who arrived at 8:50 a.m. He kindly read to the boys while Cheryl and I got ready. Then we put the boys in their finery, overcome some complaints (aka screaming) and we were on the road. We made it to church on time, and it was as powerful a service as ever. Our church does up Easter in a big way. You walk in, and all is dark and dismal. The first time we experienced this (three years ago), we had no idea what the heck was going on. Then all joy broke loose. The music started, the colorful decorations arose and the sanctuary became a place of celebration. Same deal this year, though I will say that everything seemed a little more white-knuckle than in the past, like it could go off the rails at any time.

Our rendition of "The Hallelujah Chorus" -- an Easter tradition, in which people like me get to step up to front of the sanctuary and sing -- did go off the rails in the middle. God love music director Megan, who kept her cool. "At least it was loud," she said at the end.

The second floor was Easter egg central, and the kids tore the place up after the service. And then we had brunch, and then we went home, and then, while we were getting ready to go to the family Easter egg hunt at
Delsa's gym ... DISASTER.

Cheryl and I were in the kitchen, and Chas came running in with chocolate running out of his mouth. Chocolate ... and peanut butter. Chas is allergic to peanut butter, and it must have set something off in his mouth. We'd heard that was often the case, that kids tended not to like eating things they're allergic to. He rinsed and spit and rinsed and spit and brushed his teeth and rinsed and spit some more. And we prepared ourselves to unleash the Epi-Pen. But Chas did not have a reaction. Like I said. Easter miracles.

And then it was on to family go round, which involved much frolicking in a pit full of foam squares, and other gymnastic pursuits. And we ate ham. And we found more eggs.

Best Easter ever.

(Now if only I didn't have to go to work tomorrow.)