Family traditions are one of those things I agonise over. I am torn between the magic and comfort of traditions and our beliefs. As Atheists we have made a decision not to celebrate Christian festivals. So far it has been easy enough to do our own thing but as our children get older they are increasingly aware of what everyone else is celebrating. At Christmas time we have our own tradition of thankfulness, feasting and gift giving which begins with the Solstice and ends at the new year. Easter had just passed us by in a flurry of long trips to visit my grandmother, until this year. So when a very big kid wanted to go on an egg hunt we decided that the pre-Christian tradition of celebrating the arrival of Spring with gifts of eggs had a place in our family.
We woke in the morning to find that a very cheeky bunny had taken all of our eggs and so we set out to pursue him through the woods. The woods themselves were bursting with new life and the bluebell shoots were already sprouting all around. The sun was warm on our backs despite the chilly air. I finally feel like my body is coming out of its long post-natal hibernation. It seems like I have been sleepwalking for so long and suddenly I am awake and vital again. Before long we found evidence of our cotton tailed scoundrel who had left a trail through he trees.
Which led to a hollow in a clearing and a whole heap of Springtime chocolately goodness which was shared out between the hunters.
It was definitely a good choice, a little magic is the life blood of childhood.
That looks absolutely idyllic! I can’t wait til mine are old enough for egg hunting. And I’m coveting Miss M’s basket…
That looks like a really lovely morning, we spent the morning making a tent out of a sheet in our living room. Now I wish I had done something similar. Fantastic pictures as well. I love the one of your little girl standing my the tree- she looks just like Little Red Riding Hood. Gorgeous.
Ah what fun…Little Miss P is just a wee bit too small but did enjoy eating the silver wrapping – she is allergic to dairy so I stepped up to eat the chocolate – and holding a little paper basket we made for her…what a lovely forraging idea for the kids in such a nice setting!
That sounds like so much fun! Much better than our egg. Hunt in the lounge. The weather was awful here so no outside hunt for us. Maybe next year. Beautiful pictures :)
That looks like so much fun, the fact it was in the woods must have made it feel so magical.
That sounds lovely. We had a very enjoyable day, too, with feasting, familiy and a small search in the front garden. We all (adults) expressed how nice it was – like Christmas, but without the mania of trying to fit in the opening of a ridiculous amount of gifts. Rosemary was just bowled over to have chocolatey goodness.
My my, that is a cool hat! Oh and the egg hunt sounds like great fun. We had a whirlwind of visits to grandparents but S did an egg hunt at a birthday party – clearly not as cool as yours.
@ Zoo – A sheet den is a classic!
@ Young Mummy – It was pretty special. Basket is from The Beanstalk.
@ Mummy Bear – You are so selfless :)
@ Peggy – Ack, those April showers!
@ Kelly – The woods are the home of magic!
@ Tasha – You are absolutely right, no pressure for everything to be perfect just the space to have fun as a family.
@ Natalie – I loves me a hat ;)
that looks like a very calm and peaceful place to have an egg hunt. I might try this next year (subject to better weather than what we had this year!)
@ Snafflesmummy – it looked calm but then I didn’t show any pictures of the crazy dogs we had with us….