Easter Eggs and IKEA

We had a most delightful weekend. Saturday-- laid back, close to home. Went and got our taxes done. Jack charmed Bonnie, our accountant, with train noises and chatting. Went out to breakfast because we happened to be around the corner from a breakfast-only restaurant. First Watch-- pretty good food, nice atmosphere. One got the sense that most of the customers were "regulars". Jack continued to charm. He met a few kids in the waiting area and spent approximately 1 minutes smiling and waving at a little boy who stared fixedly at Jack's toy train the whole time. Thereafter, for the rest of the time at the restaurant, Jack referred to this boy and his family as "his friends" and asked repeatedly if he could go "check" them or sit with them. He is, as you can see, becoming increasingly friendly.
After breakfast we adjourned to the Annual Cleveland Heights Egg Hunt. Advertised as being located "in the Meadow" at Forest Hills Park, I had pictured the event as a rather bucolic scene of children frolicking in the long grasses, traipsing between the trees that dot that lovely expanse of lawn. As the day had dawned sunny and clear, I was ready for photo-ops galore...

Well.

It turns out that "egg HUNT" was a bit of a misnomer, as was "meadow." Try "Annual Egg Grab" located conveniently in the tennis courts.

Sigh.

After I got over my disappointment in the non-photogenic quality of the event, I had to admit it was one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life. Seriously. Hundreds of children, separated by age group into sections of tennis courts like cattle into corrals, all waiting patiently behind the white lines, beyond which lay hundreds of plastic Easter eggs, carpeting the courts entirely. A child would have been very hard pressed to not "find" an egg at this hunt. What is it with our society and "success for all??" At the appointed hour (11am sharp!) a city councilwoman released the children who then rushed in a pack out into the eggs...

While mom and dad mocked the proceedings, Jack enjoyed himself thoroughly. He was excited to learn that eggs had something inside, and then wanted to open each egg as he "found" it. We couldn't seem to impress upon him that really, this was all about quantity. While other 2 year olds got into it and began to shovel the eggs, two at a time, into giant baskets, Jack wandered around, curious about "wat over dere???" and examining the eggs he'd already found. It's always entertaining to have the unique child! :)

Here are a few photos of the morning (we did have the camera along, after all!!)

From March 2010

Waiting...


Almost time

From March 2010

the intrepid "hunter"

From March 2010

From March 2010

From March 2010

Sunday-- a road trip. We headed off to IKEA, needing a few items around the house and an excuse to see friends Fiona and Anthony (who we are excited to learn, are expecting their first baby in August!) I can sum up the day by saying that Jack was perfect. We really couldn't get over it. From the moment he woke up til we got home at past-his-bedtime, he was the most well-behaved, funny, lovely kid you can imagine...

Details to follow...