The Easter Bunny and Jesus

This past weekend we were lucky to be able to spend it with Hubby's family in Ohio. Normally, we spend Easter and the week after it on Tybee Island (GA). However, this year we are spending about 3 weeks out west (mostly in Colorado) so spending the money to go to Georgia was out of the question. It turned out, that this was definitely the right choice.

Peanut was so excited to see everyone. All we heard about was how he was going to see Uncle T. and Aunt M., Grandad and Grandma, Granny, Great-Great Gramma, Aunt D. and Uncle J. and the Easter Bunny! His enthusiasm was contagious! Hubby and I were way more better natured than we normally are when we have to travel for the holidays!

We reached OH on Friday and were able to relax and spend some time visiting with family. On Saturday, we went to an Easter Egg Hunt at Granny's church. Peanut was wonderful! I was a little worried about how he would do, because he had been having trouble going to sleep due to a fear that the Easter Bunny was in his room! But, he had no trouble at all going up to the Easter Bunny to get his picture taken (twice because the first time they lost his picture)! Peanut loved the egg hunt (I loved that he only found 10 eggs and he thought he'd found a million) and playing on the giant blow-up slide/obstacle course.

Later on Saturday, we joined everybody for dinner at a local restaurant and enjoyed a great meal. Peanut was thrilled to get an Easter basket that had "accidentally been left" at a friend of the family's house. After dinner, we went to Uncle T. and Aunt M.'s new condo to see it. Peanut had lots of fun "squishing" on Grandad ("squishing" is nothing more than running as fast as he can and jumping on the person he is "squishing"...although he can be "gentle" if requested by the "squishee.").

On Sunday, Peanut got to attend his first church service. All morning, he kept asking if he was going to see the Easter Bunny. Was the Easter Bunny going to be at church? We kept telling him that, no, today was about Jesus...not the Easter Bunny. We got to the church and were met by a very nice greeter in the parking lot and Peanut asked him if the Easter Bunny was going to be here today. The young guy replied that he didn't think so. Again, I reminded Peanut that today was about Jesus...not the Easter Bunny. The same thing happened when we entered the church. The lady chuckled and said, "No Easter Bunny today, honey." I repeated my line about Jesus and the Easter Bunny. We found a seat in the back at the end of the pew and waited for the service to begin. More bunny questions. Finally, church started and the Pastors called out a special guest to help with the announcements. I figured it's be Jesus or famous local person. Oh no. To my child's delight, out hops the Easter Bunny! I just wanted to say, "Gee, guys! Thanks a lot!"

Jesus did make a 2-4 minute appearance later in the service amid singing and "fog." Peanut had lots of questions about Jesus, especially after Jesus "left." After church, Peanut kept asking if Jesus was going to come back and a variety of other questions. We answered the best we could. Then, Peanut said something that made my heart stop. He said, "After my nap, I'm going to see Jesus." I have to admit that my first response was not very Christian (not sure if that is the correct word). I wanted to say, "NO! NO! NO! Jesus already has two of my children...he can't have another one for a long, long, long time! Until AFTER he takes me!" Instead of saying this, I calmly replied, "Honey, you'll see Jesus again one day, but hopefully not for a very long time." I don't know if this was the right response, but I felt it was better than my first response. Well, despite his eagerness to see Jesus again, Peanut is now having a difficult time going to bed because he's now afraid that Jesus is going to get him...despite trying to explain that Jesus loves us and keeps us safe.