At some point before the babies’ birth, they were assigned colors: pink, blue, purple, and green. As we began receiving baby gifts they were often in pink, blue, purple, green so I naturally assigned colors. It helps us keep track of what paraphernalia belongs to each little person: cups, toothbrushes, or whatever. Anything that comes in those four colors will be assigned. We’ve done so much color assigning, the babies know their own colors, and the colors of their siblings. At one point, I noticed that Mason developed an affinity for orange so I tried to assign him a new color. It did not go over well. When I gave him an orange straw cup, he handed it back to me saying, “No. No. No.” When I switched it for his green one, he grinned then gulped his milk as usual. I find myself choosing things for the babies based upon whether or not they come in the four assigned colors. Easter baskets were no different. Since the quaddlers are old enough to participle in an egg hunt, I wanted to buy them sturdy baskets that would last for a few years.
One afternoon, Nisey and I took the quads on a field trip to Hobby Lobby to choose Easter baskets. There, we found an aisle almost solely devoted to Easter baskets. I glazed over at the selection of baskets spanning from floor to ceiling. White baskets with gingham liners immediately grabbed my attention. They were adorable! Except one thing. They came in pink, purple, and blue. No green. There was no way I was buying both Mason and Harper blue baskets so I searched for more. I feasted my eyes on yet another style, oval baskets in cheery pastels. Yellow. Pink. Purple. Aqua. Arghhhh. Nisey and I talked about buying spray paint to get all four colors, and then I spotted “the ones”. Sturdy willow baskets in each of the assigned colors. Hallelujah! I snatched them up as fast as I could because they had exactly one of each color. There was no way I was letting another Hobby Lobby shopper snatch one of my baskets. Over the next few weeks, the babies took turns joining me on various shopping trips. They are at the right age where they helped select Easter basket fillings, but didn’t get too attached or remember they picked out their own gifts. The evening before Easter, I stuffed each basket and lined them up on our hearth.
Not only do I assign colors, but I also still like to put things in birth order. I suppose it helps me keep things organized, and gives me the illusion of control.
After breakfast, we opened the gate from the breakfast nook, allowing the quads to locate their own baskets. They gleefully charged to the hearth where they zeroed in on their own basket, dumping contents everywhere.
The babies knew exactly whose basket was whose. They still checked out the contents of the other baskets, however.
While three babies entertained themselves with new toys, my little Houdini Harper opened every last egg to release the hidden jelly beans and he ate 90% of them. I put just one jelly bean in each egg, and only gave each baby five so it wasn’t too many, but still.
Following festivities at home, we headed to Nisey and Grandpa’s house for a family lunch and egg hunt. My cousins, Seth and Ryan, collaborated with the Easter Bunny to make sure the egg hung was at “beginner level”, meaning the eggs were all in plain sight. Everyone grabbed their own basket and headed out for the hoopla. Only some didn’t see reason to keep their basket, and instead darted around the yard snatching eggs. This style posed a problem after there were more than two eggs though.
This little lady was on a mission to locate every last egg, and she dutifully toted her basket everywhere.
Harper was pretty good at finding eggs. He just didn’t see any reason to bother carrying his basket.
It’s a good thing, Dad didn’t mind toting Harper’s basket..
Sydney was content finding a single egg and carrying the contents around the yard. She could not have cared less about hunting eggs.
Mason wasn’t going to let Rylin have all the eggs. He gave her a run for her money as he filled his basket too.
And….the final egg count.
Last Easter, Nisey bought each of the quads a pair of bunny ears and we attempted a family picture with them. It didn’t go as planned. We attempted the same scene this year and the quads were highly disagreeable. They insisted that Mommy and Daddy wear the ears instead. We obliged, but no one sat still for even a quick snap.
Bunny ears literally brought Sydney and Harper to tears!
We enjoyed a lovely day with our family, especially given the gorgeous weather. Despite the four ring circus, we didn’t forget the real occasion, Jesus’ Resurrection. There is no better reason to celebrate than that!
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..
Happy Easter!
Amber
Four to Adore 