Previous to our participation in the Bowery Babes Easter Egg Hunt, the closest I ever came to Easter was begging my mom for chocolate bunnies at the drugstore as a kid. The bunnies were always hollow, which never ceased to surprise and disappoint. Or stop me from begging again the following year.
We are Jewish, in case you are not already aware, and although we have pictures of Mazzy destroying a piece of matzah, grimacing at charoset and crying with boredom during the sedar, showcasing our Easter pictures seemed a lot more fun. Or at least more colorful. Passover is always very very biege.
Why else was this day different from all other days?
Usually, I’m the one with the camera. Which means we’ve got lots of shots of Mazzy. A few of my husband. And NONE of me. On rare occasions, Mike strips me of my photo-taking duties and takes it on himself. He says the reason he doesn’t do it more often is because I ask to see each picture after it’s taken and then I make “a face”.
But since it was Easter and we were on our first official egg hunt (that didn’t involve finding a brunch place at noon on a Sunday in downtown Manhattan without a forty minute wait), I let Mike document while I fully participated in the festivities with my baby girl.
I even kept my “faces” to myself.
Mike’s Photo Documentary: “Egg Hunt In The City” starring Mazzy, myself and her good friends, Ella and Carson:
“Bunnies? Candy? Let’s DO THIS THING!”
“WAIT. So you expect me to dive into that dirty swamp to retrieve a couple of fake plastic eggs? This was not my understanding of the event.”
“Alright, if this is all really going to go down, I’m gonna need something to put these things in. What do you mean you don’t have a basket? MOM!!!! Sometimes you are so JEWISH.”
“Mazzy! Would you like to put your eggs in my basket?”
“Nope. I’ve got this thing figured out.”
“Quiet! Nobody move! My super egg-sensing powers tell me there is a red one to my right.”
“Hmmm. These eggs don’t look biodegradable. Please make sure you throw them in the appropriate trash bin.”
“MOM! Don’t just stand there! There’s an egg underneath that dirty newspaper! And one inside that unconscious guy’s shoe…”
“This is so much better than looking for a big tasteless cracker wrapped in a napkin.”
“I’ve looked everywhere besides up your nose. You mind checking it out for me?”
“Mother. You mean to tell meβ you had me picking through NYC garbage for eggs, when all the while there was a perfectly lovely spread offering snacks? The lengths you grown-ups go to for photo-taking opportunities…”
And just to show-off more of my husband’s camera skills, below is Ella looking cute as ever. (I’ve given her a bum rap but we are on better terms now.)
And here is Mazzy showing off the drool that killed my iPhone.
Whaddaya think? How’d the husband do?
I think you need to make sure to get pictures of yourself. I’m just as bad, it’s like I’m a ghost. What if we die? Our children will be wondering what we looked like! That’s morbid. Sorry.
Anyway, lets make a pact. A picture of ourselves a month? A week? Something.
I think it’s great that you can claim holiday traditions that MAKE SENSE and have symbolism behind them. We’re just over here sucking down peeps and adding to our diabetic risk. Plus the Easter Bunny gave me a cold.
I would have to say that the husband did a very good job of taking pictures and it was nice to see a couple with you in there. I’m pretty sure my kids would have found the snack table a lot more enjoyable than the egg hunt.
The husband did really well. It’s nice to see you in your posts. Mazzy is uber stylish by the way.
Awwwww…. so cute. Toddlers rock.
Great photos – but the captions make the story. π
I appreciate your shout-out to Judaism:) I do like the authenticity of the traditions. It’s a shame that holidays that have the potential for more funβ like Purim (carnivals and costumes)β aren’t really celebrated by reform Jews like myself. But I guess that would take some effort to commercialize it which would probably fly in the face of authenticity.
And even our best efforts could never compete with toy-making midgets and egg-laying bunnies.
What about an appointment with a personal shopper along with a gift card? New spring wardrobe!
I was very proud of him. And I didn’t look at the pictures once till we got home.
She’s got the signature barrette thing going. Not her doing, I must admit.
The trick is to put it in when she’s distracted and then every hour or so, she’ll touch her head, pull it out, and have this look on her face likeβ how the hell does this thing keep getting stuck to my head??
It’s a team effort.
So cute! Adorable kids! And Mom, you should be in the pics more often. Nice!
Love the funnies written below the pics!
Love the pics! Mazzy’s hair is so darling. What I would give for the ability to stock up on hair accessories for my kids. But somehow, I can’t imagine either of my sons rocking a headband. But maybe….just maybe….
Fun! Your captions captured the event just perfectly. I just wish we had a pic of Carson walking up to other people’s kids and putting his eggs in their baskets. All the parents were saying, “Awww, he’s so generous.” I didn’t want to tell them he was just CONFUSED π
I just love this. Your captions are great. My little town hosts an egg hunt in the park that is a MOB. It’s like everyone in three counties comes to it. You need full body armor when racing for the eggs. It’s so scary I have never taken my children. I make up for it with an egg hunt in our own yard. Looks like yours was perfect.
OH MY GOSH.
She is beautiful
Those dark eyes…
The husband did a good job! The pictures are great! Love the captions that go along with them as well! π
Excellent work, Mike. Great pics!
Everybody thinks I get Mazzy’s hair styled or something. The truth is, I have never touched it. I cut her bangs once but it looked awful and I decided to grow them outβ hence the constant barrette. Also, can you imagine how much it would cost to get a hairdresser to replicate the natural wisp of never before cut baby hair?
Mazzy would drop one egg on the ground when she found another one. Not to mention all the convincing we had to do to get her pick it up in the first place. “Mom? Why do I want this again?”
I spent five minutes trying to figure out what MOB stood for, before I realized it wasn’t an acronym. π
One of the worst things about urban kid events is how many people show up. This was actually nice and intimate because it was put on by Bowery Babes (a downtown parenting group) and you needed to be a member and RSVP.
Well, all I saw is amazingly cute kid and his skinny mom. Jealousy overload.:)
Doesn’t Ella look adorable in that shot? I have a few more good ones of her that I have to send you.
You are too too kind.
Awww- Great pics!!
Mike gets a gold star! Great photos with adorable subjects!!
My mom still gets me a specialty chocolate Easter bunny every year. She has no idea that last year’s bunny is still fully intact in my fridge, and bunny parts from the prior year’s victim also lie in an unmarked tupperware somewhere in the fridge. I just don’t have the heart to tell her that I no longer scarf down an entire bunny in a day like I did when I was 5.
Sooo cute. And I am totally homesick. Do you think i can meet you when am home in June? I want to hug you,my idol!;) okay, that sounded scary, but i am serious …
Husband did great! These captions are awesome. Best: The biodegradable eggs!
Easter is definitely more colorful (lol at Passover being beige, so true!)
Love the photos.
Yes, please do! I need to come over with a thumb drive and just raid your computer for all the shots I want!
these are such great photos of a really fun time. i think our family (also of the pesach celebrating variety) needs to add easter egg hunting to our list of spring activiites. for the kids sake only, of course. it would not be b/c their mom likes candy at all.
Hello overdose of CUTE! (you included)
Flowers, a picture Harlow made to say thank you for taking such good care of me, and a gift card to her favorite clothing place π or a new necklace or flats!
Grammy is amazing and totally deserves a spa day for taking care of poor sick Harlow while not feeling great herself! What a trooper! (Please please please pick me for the swag bag please please!
Grammy needs a spa day!
A massage and mani/pedi are always nice ways to pamper and say thank you. Maybe a nice girls date just the two of you. And on the sentimental side and based on harlows personality a video of Harlow rebelling their week (which could be interesting considering they were both sick).
Grammy deserves a big bottle of wine and maybe even a spa day to recoup!
I think Grammy would love a spa day after a week taking care of poor sick Harlow (and getting sick herself- that’s the worst!)
Grammie needs a massage after her week with Harlow! Or a nice bottle of wine π #swagbag
Send grammy for a day of pampering at a spa or salon! She took such good care of Harlow, so now she can have someone take care of her! BTW, love that the girls call her grammy! That is what I called my grandma on my dads side π
A month of a meal prep service i.e. Blue Apron, Hello Fresh etc. Add a great bottle of wine and she’ll have nice dinners all month.
Yay for swag bags!! To thank grandma you should take her on your next trip!! π
Get Grammy a great bottle of her favorite liquor!
It’s hard to thank grandmothers. What can really show your appreciation for all they do for you. Maybe a spa day?
Grammy needs a massage! π
I think mother daughter mani/pedis as a thank you would be wonderful!
An edible arrangement would be perfect for Grammy! Always my go to for thank yous!
I don’t have a good suggestion other than to say thank you so much and give her a spa day.
Treat Grammy with a gift card to get her hair done all nice π
Get Grammy a fun new necklace and earrings made by a local artist!
My mom always appreciates a spa day, that’s my vote for a thank you gift!
Grammy would love a spa day! While all grandparents love their children, they need some wind down town after a lengthy stay with them. Also, any food treat goes far.
Get Grammy a nice bag for springtime and put a mini brag book with pictures of the girls inside.
bonus: give her the bag at a nice lunch or tea.
Love these throwback photos!! I think Grammy would love to go on your next trip!
I think Grammy could use a spa day with her after a nice breakfast with her daughter
My Grammy loves a “date night” with her daughter as a thank you.
Get her a cleaning service to go in and get rid of all the germs!
A cute framed picture of the two of them from their week of being sick together and a card from you and Harlow saying how much you appreciate her!
Grammy deserves a massage. Or maybe a mani/pedi. Definitely a day spa certificate!
Treat her to a fancy girls lunch π
I think a nice spa day would never go un-appreciated! Glad all are healthy now!
Grammy’s don’t need gifts for getting to spend time with their grandchildren, but if you wanted to go the extra mile, you could give her a gift card to get her nails done.
You could make her a photo album/scrapbook eith pics of her and the girls. Maybe in the end write her a special thanks and attach a gift card for a spa day.
These photos are so precious! How fortunate you are to have Grammy to care for your babies while traveling, make her a soup gift basket, get her a massage and hope she feels well soon!!
Does she like candles? A nice candle is a good thing she might not splurge on, and it’s also something disposable.
An afternoon tea – just you and Grammy. Plus a bouquet of flowers.
Put together a spa basket so she can spend a day pampering herself.
Send Grammy to the spa!!
The kids have made these adorable personalized candles similar to these(link below) for the grandparents before. It was totally easy and worked perfectly! Pair that with a gift card maybe, and you have a wonderful thank you gift. Mom’s/grandma’s are great, aren’t they?!
#swagbag
http://www.thefrugalfemale.com/diy-personalized-candle/
You could do handprint flowers. Paint their arm green and hand whatever color and you can give her boquets of flowers from the girls.
I think Grammy should get a homemade card from your girls and then a spa day and/or a nice meal out with you all. Helping with sick kids is no fun, but she knows how it is since she was the mom once too. π Glad everyone is feeling better!!
A few good books to read in her quiet time after sickness and Harlow-sitting!
What an awesome Grammy! Maybe make her a special basket with the things she loves but rarely indulges in. Like wine, chocolates etc. A gift card for a nice massage, and of course a note or drawing from Harlow. ????
If she loves fruit…I think a fruit of the month club subscription would be a nice reminder each month how much she’s appreciated. It’s always nice to get something fun in the mail π
You should have Harlow ‘sign’ a thank you card and get Grammy a gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure!
I know my mom would want to go out for a big glass of wine (or two)!!
Spa gift card and some fancy tea or wine!
As your mom, I’m sure Grammy would love some one on one devoted time with just you! To sweeten the deal you could make a list of all the things you are sorry for putting her through when you were growing up π
A dinner out with just you.
Aw, Grammy needs some extra love! I agree with everyone about the spa day, but something commemorative would also be so sweet, especially since she and Harlow probably thought they were gonna have fun times but instead had sick days. A date with the girls that ends with something pampering for her π
You should go for a mother/daughter spa day! She deserves it!
A nice dinner at her favorite restaurant! ????
Does she have a grammy necklace with the names of her grandkids? One of my mom’s favorite gifts ever, she wears it daily, plus you can get them in any style so custom for her.
I’m sure Grammy is not expecting any type of present for keeping Harlow, but you could always take her away for a mini vacation. Just you and her for a girls weekend to one of her favorite places. If she loves the beach go there or if she prefers the mountains or even staying at a quiet bed and breakfast. You could even give her the option of inviting her grandkids along if she wants.
A spa day, mani/pedi or facial would be great for your mom, if she likes that sort of thing. Or a spring cleaning housecleaning! TaskRabbit, if that is available in your mom’s area.
A photo book of the girls/your family or some sort of photo gift (a personalized mug, candle, etc. shutterfly has great photo gifts that any grandparent would love.
You can’t go wrong with a gift certificate to a salon/spa or homemade card from Harlow!
I think Grammy should either get a spa day or a weekend away at a bed and breakfast, so she can unwind and enjoy some pampering!
A photo book with pictures of her and the girls would be a great way to say thank you. Or a day at the spa.
Maybe a spa gift certificate for a mani/pedi? I know my mom loves to get pampered and she deserves it!
First off, Mazzy as a toddler at an egg hunt is one of the cutest things ever.
To reward Grammy, you should take her on a day in NY like you did with Mazzy a couple years ago, but adult style. Limo, brunch, spa, tea, museum… Basically, my dream day with my mom. π
You should get Grammy tickets or a gift card for an experience with the girls/you and your husband. A mani/pedi or a show she would enjoy and the girls. It’s always fun to make a memory! ????
A homemade gift from Harlow and/or taking Grammy out for lunch or to get nails done ????
I love reading your old posts???? For my mom I would get her a manicure and pedicure and for my mother in law I would do a potted plant. Those are things they love to do for themselves.
I think Grammy deserves a day at a spa! Or if she’s anything like my parents, she’d love some nice pictures of Mazzy and Harlow – enlarged, canvas, etc.
Take her out to a nice brunch and present her with a gift certificate to a spa day! Also, handwritten thank you “note” or handprint from Harlow to grandma!
I think Grammy would enjoy her own weekend away, at a nice hotel with a spa, mani/pedi and massage!
You can get her a blanket with pictures of both them, and a coffee cup wit more pictures of them together. You can also add these things to a gift basket with a few of her favorite things like coffee/tea, a book that she might enjoy, a nice chocolate or treat,etc. That way she will be reminded of you guys when she uses them.
Give Grammy a bottle of Pepto, some ginger ale and saltines to keep on hand for next time.
You could do a hand made gift. You can get a clay pot and paint it white and put your thumb in paint and put it all over the flower pot. Then take a sharpie and make wings and stripes on the thumb print (add a happy face too) and write on the pot “thank you for Bee-ing awesome” and you could put flowers in it!
I think Harlow should make her something thanking her for taking care of her. A painting on canvas, a card, a drawing that would be the focal gift. Then add something from you something she loves but rarely gets for herself.
Oh man, Grammy deserves major props! A nice relaxing weekend away at a Bed and Breakfast, she deserves to relax!
HOW ABOUT A SPECIAL ‘SWAG BAG’ FOR GRAMMY? YOU CAN ADD THINGS TO MAKE HER FEEL BETTER. (SHE OBVIOUSLY ALREADY DOES FEEL BETTER BUT SWEET IF YOU AND HARLOW CAN MAKE THE BAG TOGETHER WITH REMEMBRANCES OF THEIR TIME TOGETHER) YOU CAN ADD SOME ‘VOMIT BAGS’ LOL! HOMEMADE SOUP, MAYBE A PLAY-DOH HAND-PRINT FROM HARLOW, SOME HONEY FOR SORE THROATS, A SMALL FRAMED PICTURE OF GRAMMY AND HARLOW, SOME OF HER FAVORITE TEA AND BISCUITS. π