Happy Easter!

In a moment of insanity yesterday, I decided that Olivia and I would go to the Easter Vigil Mass (Daddy had to go to all the Masses as Master of Ceremonies). We were on our way home from Grammy & Grampy's house, so we had about ten minutes to change and hop back into the car to get to Church in time. Olivia looked roughly like this, except for the cute Easter shoes. I forgot those in my haste. She had to wear the white tennis shoes that were in her diaper bag already. Good thing it was dark in Church when we came in.

This picture was staged today for posterity. In my haste I also I left my camera behind.

The decision to attend was made based on Olivia's late-afternoon nap and my suspicion that she'd be hard to put to sleep on time anyway. With blankie and pacifier in tow, we did pretty well. We had to pace the back of Church during the Eucharistic prayer, but she played happily in the pew for most of the rest of the long Mass. I actually heard and comprehended most of the readings and homily, so I guess the whole thing could be regarded as a success.

My favorite parts of last night's Mass:
When we were outside lighting the Easter candle from the new fire, and the fire started shooting out these tall flames...Olivia was watching intently, pointed and said, "Oh NO!" She was possibly worried about her Daddy, who was in charge of lighting the taper from that fire.

When Father was saying the closing blessing, and as soon as he uttered the final word, Olivia says in a loud voice, "A-MEN!" Perhaps she was happy that she could finally go home and sleep.

Mass last night left my morning free for preparing our Easter dinner (lunch). Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Lori came over. Olivia was charmingly entertaining in her own sleep-deprived way. (Note to Olivia: Getting up at 6:00 a.m. is not a rule. You can sleep longer when you are tired. Mommy and Daddy have an alarm clock, so you don't have to worry about getting us up at a certain time. And you can nap for longer than 45 minutes at a time. Please? Love, Mommy.)

After three egg hunts, three Triduum services and three late nights, we are all in need of a good, long nap. The end.