Easter (April 8, 2012)

We didn't set high expectations for Easter this year. SD was working Decadron out of his system so we decided not to take him to church, and Mandy didn't feel up to making a big, fancy dinner after an exhausting week of dealing with steroids.

However, we wanted to make the day special for the kids, so we dressed up as though we were going to church and had our own little service at home. While Mandy was dressing SD - and before any mention of footwear occurred - he informed her that he did not want to wear shoes; he wanted to wear his rain boots. So he did.

We sang a couple resurrection-related hymns (the kids excitedly turned the piano accompaniment into a trio), then settled in on the couch while Daddy explained the reason we celebrate Easter. SD paid close attention, nodding his head and saying "uh huh" at every opportunity.

After hearing the Easter story, we asked SD and Emma if they wanted to go outside. Of course, they eagerly raced toward the door, so we bundled them up and Stephen took them out while Mandy hid their Easter baskets.

It was quite chilly and blustery that day, so we stayed out only long enough for them to find their baskets and inspect the contents. SD had been asking for eggs and toast for awhile, so we went inside and ate that for lunch.

Rather than a traditional ham dinner, we had something new to all of us - baby back ribs. Stephen's mother had given some to us earlier in the week, so we decided to try something different this year. Emma just wanted a little taste, but SD loved them!

Although we were disappointed to miss the Easter service for the second year in a row, we enjoyed a delightful, all-around pleasant day. The Steroid Monster did rear its ugly head on a couple brief occasions, but for the most part SD was our smiling, cheerful little boy all day!