The Easter 00's

It was Sunday, March 31, 2002. It was Easter Sunday, and that was the day after we all had a wonderful time at Cedar Point down in Ohio. Me, Steve, and Kevin were watching TV at Steve's house just like we did back at the start of the Christmas episode. No music was playing this time.

"So, you guys have any plans for how you're gonna spend Easter Sunday?", I said. "Yeah, we're gonna do many Easter activities as a family today to celebrate the holiday today.", said Steve. "We still don't know what activities they are though.", said Kevin.

"Yeah, and it's currently Noon-ish right now. We've got until 1 to start.", said Steve. "Hey, maybe you should join us, Jamal. We always welcome guests every year from outside of the family to join our annual Easter Sunday activities.", said Kevin. "Yeah, that's a great idea Kev! So, what do you say Jamal? Are you interested?", said Steve.

"Well, there's not too much going on for me at home. So, I guess I'm in.", I said. "Great! We'll let mom and dad know that you've decided to join us.", said Steve. "Great! So, what do you think the activities might be?", I said.

"Well, I still remember a lot of what we did last Easter.", said Kevin. "Like that spring STEM activity.", said Steve. "STEM? What is that? Explain that Easter activity to me.", I said.

"STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math.", said Kevin. "STEM activities are easy to set-up experiments and activities.", said Steve. "They were originally meant for preschoolers, but our parents decided to try it with us last year. It was a pretty cool activity for Easter. I want that to be one of our activities again this year.", said Kevin.

"Well, what else did you guys do last Easter?", I said. "We also did some fun Easter crafts.", said Steve. "We did this oil pastel and watercolor egg art project based on the story, Rechenka's Eggs.", said Kevin.

And then a knock was heard on Steve's door. "I'll get it.", said Kevin. Then Kevin got up and went to the door.

"Who is it?!", said Kevin. "It's us!", said Amanda. It was Amanda who was with Ariana, Nathan, and Brad at Steve's door.

Kevin opened the door. "Hey, Kevin! Happy Easter to you and your family.", said Amanda. "Thanks. Happy Easter to you too.", said Kevin.

Then Amanda saw me. "Hey, Jamal, happy Easter!", said Amanda. "Happy Easter to you too.", I said.

"What brings you guys here today?", said Kevin. "We just wanted to know if you guys were down to play video games and hang out for the holiday.", said Amanda. "Oh, today's not a good time. We're all celebrating Easter together as a family by doing various Easter-related activities.", said Steve.

"Yeah, what Steve said. We do this in our family every year.", said Kevin. "Oh, we didn't know that.", said, Ariana. "Well, I guess we better get going.", said Amanda.

And right before our friends proceeded to leave, Steve said something. "Wait! You guys wanna join us in our Easter fun. Our family always welcomes guests of any kind every year. That includes friends, non-immediate family members, co-workers, classmates, acquaintances, etc.", said Steve. "Well, what do you think guys? Are you both in?", said, Ariana.

"Sure, I'll join.", said Nathan. "Count me in too.", said Brad. "Then count me in as well.", said, Ariana. "And I don't have any plans either on this special day, so count me in as well.", said Amanda.

"Great! This is great! Our friends are gonna be joining us to celebrate Easter for the first time.", said Steve. "We've got to let our parents know about this before we get started at 1:00.", said Kevin. "Let us know what?", said Kevin Sr. as he walked into the living room with Anna.

"Our friends have decided to join our annual list of Easter activities today.", said Kevin. "Jamal, Amanda, Ariana, Nathan, and Brad all decided to join.", said Steve. "Well, that's fine with us boys.", said Kevin Sr. "Yep, it sure is. So, all of you guys better get ready. We start in less than 30 minutes.", said Anna.

"Ok, we will mom.", said Steve. Then Steve's parents left the living room. "Well, come on in and make yourselves right at home.", said Kevin.

Then Amanda, Ariana, Nathan, and Brad all came in. Kevin closed the front door behind them. "You all can have a seat anywhere you like.", said Kevin. Then they all sat down somewhere in the living room.

***

It was now 1 in the afternoon. I, Steve's family, and all of our friends were in the living room. "So, what is the first thing we're all doing today?", said Steve.

"We're doing spring-inspired math activities.", said Kevin Sr. "Math?!", said Kevin. "I thought something like that was reserved for school days. Not an Easter or any other Sunday.", said Steve.

"It might be a lot of fun guys. And maybe it might help you with your schoolwork. Are you guys still doing multiplication?", said Anna. "We sure are.", said Steve. "I've pretty much gotten the hang of it as this school year went on.", said Steve.

"So, what math problems are we doing?", I said. "And how is it inspired by Spring?", said Amanda. "There is gonna be multiplication involved.", said Anna.

"The 2nd graders are gonna be doing multiplication.", said Kevin Sr. "That's right. And Cody will be doing addition since he's still in Kindergarten", said Cody.", said Anna. "So, I guess I'll be doing long division since I'm a 4th grader.", said Kevin. "You are correct.", said Anna.

"But how is it Spring-inspired though?", said Amanda. "We'll be doing Easter-related activities involving math problems.", said Anna. "Everybody ready to get started?", said Kevin Sr. "Yeah, I think we're all ready.", I said.

"Great! Let's get our Sunday started.", said Kevin Sr. And we all finally started the first Easter activity of the day. The first activity was fun and enjoyable for all of us that day, and we were having a great time so far.

And then we got done with the math activity. After we got done doing some spring inspired math, we were about to get started with the second Easter activity of the day. "So, what's our second Easter activity of the day?", said Steve.

"The second activity of the day will be Easter crafts.", said Kevin Sr. "We're gonna be making Easter basket cupcakes.", said Anna. "We're gonna have six individuals each make one cupcake using their favorite cake recipe or box mix.", said Kevin Sr.

"But I don't have a favorite cake recipe.", I said. "And I don't have a favorite box mix.", said Brad. "What is a box mix anyway?", said Nathan.

"Anybody that needs any assistance with anything can come to us.", said Anna. "Alright now, let's all get started.", said Kevin Sr. And the second activity of the day got started.

Moments later after the second activity of the day, the cupcakes were made and they looked awesome. "These are the cutest cupcakes ever! Great job everybody!", said Anna. "Thanks, Steve's mom!", said Brad.

"When can we eat them?", said, Ariana. "You all can eat them right now if you want.", said Kevin Sr. "Yeah, let's eat them now.", said Steve.

"Alright, I'll serve the cupcakes on separate plates for everybody.", said Anna. Then Anna went to go do what she said she was going to do. Moments later, we all enjoyed some Easter cupcakes. Then the day went on.

"Next on our list of Easter Sunday activities is going to be making Easter wreaths.", said Anna. "We'll lay out the instructions for you all.", said Kevin Sr. "These are easy to make, so you should have no problems here.", said Anna.

And after Steve's parents gave out detailed instructions on what to do, we got to work. We grabbed a few sheets of construction paper and created eggs by folding the paper. Then cutting on an egg shape while making sure to keep one side folded so it can open.

Inside the egg, we were to write our ideas about what Easter meant to us. And then we were allowed to decorate the front of the egg anyway we wanted to. We used crayons to decorate the front of our eggs.

Then we attached the eggs to the wreath. After we got done making Easter wreaths, it was time for us to show them off. "Alright, now it's time for everybody who made Easter wreaths today to show them off.", said Kevin Sr.

"You get to go first Kevin since you're the oldest child here.", said Anna. "Thanks, mom! Here's what Easter means to me.", said Kevin. He then opened the wreath.

"Candy.", Kevin read out loud. "Candy?! That's all you got?", said Anna. "Yep.", said Kevin.

"You're next Steve.", said Kevin Sr. "Alright, dad. Here's what I wrote.", said Steve. Then Steve opened the wreath and read what Easter meant to him out loud to everybody else there.

"Spending quality time with my family and friends.", Steve read out loud. "That's a beautiful message you wrote sweetie.", said Anna. "Yeah, great job Steve.", said Amanda.

"It was way better than his brother's one-word message.", said Nathan. "Wait, isn't Halloween known for candy too.", said Brad. "Halloween and Easter are both known for candy.", said Nathan.

"Alright, Jamal, let's see what you got.", said Anna. "Alright, here's what Easter means to me.", I said. Then I went over to my wreath and read my message out loud.

"Spring, eggs, rabbits, and The Easter Bunny.", I said. "Well, that's pretty obvious.", said, Ariana. "That's a good one Jamal. Good job.", said, Anna.

"Santa Claus is greater than The Easter Bunny.", said Kevin. "How?", said Steve. "Santa Claus delivers gifts to all the good boys and girls every year around the globe. What does the Easter Bunny do?", said Kevin. "Delivers Easter eggs?", said Steve.

"Alright, Ariana, you're next.", said Anna. "Alright here's what this holiday means to me.", said, Ariana. Then Ariana went to her wreath to read her message out loud.

She opened it. "Jesus Christ's victory over death.", said, Ariana. "That's an awesome message!", said Anna.

"That is the true meaning of Easter. God sent his only son to die on the cross to save us from our sins.", said Kevin Sr. "That's the true meaning of Easter?", said Nathan. "What did God's son do to Him to die on a cross?", said Brad.

"I think you kids need to start reading the Bible more to understand what I'm talking about. Nonetheless, that's the real true meaning of Easter.", said Kevin Sr. "If that didn't happen, there would be no Easter.", said Anna. "Anyways, let's see what the other girl wrote.", said Kevin Sr. "What did you write Amanda?", said Anna.

"Alright, here's what I wrote.", said Amanda. Then Amanda walked over to her wreath to read it out loud. "Longer days and warmer weather.", said Amanda.

"That's also a nice thing about Easter. Good job with that one young lady.", said Anna. "Thank you.", said Amanda. "Let's see what Nathan and Brad wrote.", said Steve.

"Here's what Easter means to me.", said Nathan. Then Nathan walked over to his wreath to read the message of what Easter Sunday meant to him out loud. He then made it to his wreath. "Easter breakfast.", said Nathan.

"I say that because I had a wonderful and fulfilling breakfast prepared by my mom. Her cooking is out of this world. You all should come by sometime.", said Nathan. "We'll consider it Nathan.", said Steve. "What about you Brad? What did you write?", said Brad.

Then Brad got up and walked right over to his Easter wreath to read it out loud. He then made it over to his wreath. "Easter dinner.", said, Brad.

"My mom also has excellent cooking skills.", said Brad. "Did Cody and Matthew make wreaths?", said Kevin. "They are still so young. We thought this activity might be a bit complicated for them at their age.", said Anna.

"Well, did you two make wreaths?", Steve asked his parents. "No, we didn't. We left this activity to you all.", said Kevin Sr. "But that young lady pretty much wrote it down for us when she said that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross is what Easter meant to her.", said Anna.

"Now why don't we move on to the next activity?", Kevin Sr. "Good idea honey.", said Anna. And we all advanced to the next Easter Sunday activity.

***

Steve's parents handed out Easter egg coloring books to each one of us. And that included Cody and Matthew this time. "What is this?", said Kevin.

"Today, we have some fun Easter egg coloring books.", said Anna. "With these books, you can design and color your own Easter eggs!", said Kevin Sr. "And me and my husband over here also have our own Easter egg coloring books, so we can participate in some of the Easter activities as well.", said Anna.

"And there's no time to waste when it's a holiday. So, I guess we better stop talking and start coloring.", said Kevin Sr. "And let the coloring begin!", said Anna. And then we all started coloring in our Easter egg coloring books.

We were using crayons, colored pencils, and/or colored markers. And while we were all coloring, things got pretty quiet in Steve's household. It was probably the quietest it has been at Steve's household that Easter Sunday.

Then a few minutes passed. When that amount of time elapsed, we were still coloring. Then Dexter started his barking and destroyed the quietness at Steve's household.

Then as the barking continued, it started to annoy the people that were not apart of Steve's immediate family. "Can somebody shut that dog up?", said Brad. "Yeah, what is wrong with that dog?", said Amanda.

"Oh, he does that whenever he has to go use the bathroom.", said Anna. "Yeah, when he does that, we either take him outside or put him on a pad to let him do his business.", said Kevin Sr. "Don't worry everybody, I'll handle this.", said Kevin Sr.

Then Kevin Sr. opened Dexter's crate. "Alright, time to let you do your thing buddy.", said Kevin Sr. Then Kevin Sr. picked up Dexter and went to the bathroom where one of his pads was.

Then we all resumed coloring without any noisy barking this time. And the quietness also resumed once again in Steve's household. Moments later, Dexter was finished doing number two.

Then Kevin Sr. came out of the bathroom with Dexter and put him back in his cage. Then Kevin Sr. sat down and got back to coloring himself. After a while, that activity was finished. "Alright, time's up everybody! Let's see how you all did.", said Anna.

Then everybody else showed the Easter eggs they colored in their coloring books along with myself. Ariana colored her Easter eggs with only red. "Hey look, Ariana colored her eggs all red!", said Nathan.

"What's with all the red Ariana?", said Brad. "Well, red is my favorite color. And it matches my hair color as well.", said, Ariana. "Well, I like the red colored style on those Easter eggs. It's the same color as the Detroit Red Wings who are the greatest team in hockey history.", said Steve.

"Amanda also colored her Easter eggs all yellow.", said Kevin. Then everybody, including me, turned to look at Amanda's coloring. And as Kevin said, her eggs were as yellow as scrambled eggs in the morning.

"May we ask why you colored your Easter eggs all yellow Amanda?", said Steve. "Yellow is my favorite color. And it matches my hair color as well", said Amanda. "Your hair color is blonde Amanda.", said Steve.

"Yeah, blonde is a yellow color.", said Amanda. "It is?", said Kevin. "Ok, is there anybody here who didn't use one single color?", said Anna.

"I colored my eggs green and yellow. Those are my two most favorite colors. Green is the first and yellow being the second.", I said. "I want to like it, but those eggs look too much like the Packers.", said Kevin. "Who are the Packers?", I said. "The Packers are nothing more than our NFC North rivals in the NFL.", said Steve.

"Well, I only chose to color one Easter egg a single color. And here it is. An all blue Easter egg since blue is my favorite color.", said Nathan. "And black is my favorite color. But I didn't choose my favorite color in any of my colorings or use a single color.", said Brad. "Well, this is what I and my husband colored.", said Anna. And most of the kids were amazed by how well Steve's parents colored their Easter eggs.

"Wow, how did you two learn to color like that?", said Steve. "I think adults have way better coloring skills than children do.", said Nathan. "Great colorings mom and dad.", said Kevin. "Your welcome son.", said Kevin Sr.

"Well, I think it's time to continue with our Easter Sunday everybody. Let's move on to the next activity.", said Anna. Then afterward, we moved on from coloring Easter eggs to doing something else. Later on that day, the next activity was a game, and not a video game.

An egg hunt was about to take place. "Alright kids, we're all gonna head outside and go down to the nearby playground.", said Kevin Sr. "All you kids are going to play a game of Egg Hunt.", said Anna.

"Awesome!", said Steve. "I like the sound of that. Let's all head down there.", said Kevin. "I'll get my shoes.", said Steve. "And so will I.", said Kevin.

"What is an egg hunt?", said Amanda. "For anybody that doesn't know what an egg hunt is, it's a game where you hunt for hidden Easter eggs.", said Kevin Sr. "They can be any type of Easter eggs, and the game can be played either indoors or outdoors.", said Anna. "We both chose for this activity to take place outdoors since you kids need the fresh air.", said Kevin Sr.

"So, what type of Easter eggs will we be finding?", said, Ariana. "We will be using foil-wrapped egg-shaped chocolates of various sizes.", said Anna. "Cool.", said, Ariana.

"And while we hide the Easter eggs, nobody better peak.", said Kevin Sr. "You all are gonna be told to close your eyes while we hide the eggs.", said Anna. "Don't worry mom and dad, I don't cheat. It's not in my nature.", said Kevin.

"Great, now let's all head down there.", said Kevin Sr. And then all of us walked down to the nearby playground that was just down the street from the apartment complex. After that, we finally arrived at the playground.

***

"Alright, we're finally here.", said Kevin Sr. "We're going to start hiding all the Easter eggs, so can everybody start closing their eyes?", said Anna. "For how long?", said Nathan.

"Until we tell you to.", said Kevin Sr. "Yeah, just be patient everybody. And then before you know it, we'll be hunting for eggs.", said Anna. Then all of us closed our eyes while Steve's parents hid all of the Easter eggs around the playground.

We were talking while we were closing our eyes. "Yo Steve, where do your parents get the money for all this stuff?", said Nathan. "They just do.", said Steve. "Both of our parents work a lot.", said Kevin.

"They must work high paying jobs.", said, Ariana. Then more time elapsed. "Dude, what's taking your parents so long?", said Brad.

"Just be patient. It's a pretty big playground.", said Steve. Then more time elapsed. Then after a while, Steve's parents were finally finished hiding all of the Easter eggs.

Steve's parents came back to where all of us were at. "Alright everybody, we're finished.", said Kevin Sr. "So, how do we play this game?", I said.

"We're gonna explain how.", said Kevin Sr. "All of you will each get a basket to put your eggs in.", said Anna. "When the hunt is over, prizes may be given out for the greatest number of eggs collected.", said Kevin Sr. "Any questions?", said Anna.

Then Amanda raised her hand. "Yes.", said Anna. "Do we get to eat the chocolates after we're all done finding them.", said Amanda. "Yes, you do.", said Anna.

"Any more questions before we get started?", said Kevin Sr. Then none of us had any more questions to ask, and was all ready to get the egg hunt started. "Well, then I guess it's settled then.", said Anna. "The egg hunt starts in 3...2...1... and now!", said Kevin Sr. Then the egg hunt officially got underway.

We all ran in different places to go do some searching for Easter eggs around the playground. We all looked near, far, and wide. And was enjoying the Easter game while we were trying to find the eggs.

But none of us didn't find any Easter eggs yet. And it took a while before somebody finally found an egg. After some more time elapsed, somebody found an egg.

"Hey, I found the first egg of the game!", said Brad. Then Steve and Kevin went over to Brad. "That's awesome Brad! Congratulations!", said Kevin.

"Thanks.", said Brad. "It was hiding in this bush.", said Brad. "I wonder if there are any more bushes around here.", said Steve.

"I'm gonna go find out.", said Kevin. Then Kevin went to go look for more bushes. "I'm looking too.", said Steve. Then Steve went to go look for more bushes.

Then after a while, the second Easter egg of the day was located. And it was located by Amanda. "I finally found one!", said Amanda.

Then Nathan and Brad went over to Amanda. "Great job Amanda!", said Nathan. "Thanks.", said Amanda.

"It was hiding in this bush.", said Amanda. "I found mines in a bush also.", said Brad. "Well, I guess I should go try my luck in a few bushes.", said Nathan. And then Nathan went to do just what he said.

And the egg hunt continued. The third Easter egg was found behind a tree. "I found one!", said, Ariana.

Then Amanda and Brad went over to Ariana. "It was sitting behind this tree.", said, Ariana. "Congratulations! Welcome to the group Ariana.", said Brad.

"What group? All we've found is one egg so far. We have to act fast and find more before the others catch up to us, and find more than one egg.", said Amanda. "Yeah, Amanda's right. What good is a group that finds only one egg?", said, Ariana. "So, I guess that means we better get moving.", said Brad. Then Amanda, Ariana, and Brad split up to search for new Easter eggs.

After more time elapsed in the game, the eldest child eventually found an egg. "I found an egg!", said Kevin. Then Steve went over to his brother. "Under the swing. Why didn't I think of that? When did our parents get so good at hiding stuff?", said Steve.

And as the hunt went on, more and more eggs were being found by all of us in various hiding places. The one with the greatest number of eggs collected was gonna be the one to win the game. But we got better as the egg hunt continued.

Then after a while, the egg hunt concluded. "Alright, time's up on the egg hunt everybody!", said Kevin Sr. "Everybody can come back now, so we can determine a winner!", said Anna.

After we heard Steve's parents, we headed back to their location. All of our Easter eggs were gonna be counted to see who had the most after the game. "Now let's count everybody's eggs to see who won the game.", said Anna.

Then all of our eggs were counted. A winner was then determined. And the winner was Kevin Jr.

"And Kevin is the ultimate winner of the egg hunt.", said Anna. "Congratulations son.", said Kevin Sr. "Thanks mom and dad.", said Kevin.

"Now, didn't you two say there was some sort of prize or something?", said Kevin. "Right. Only the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive prizes today for their hard work in today's egg hunt.", said Kevin Sr. "Who was second and third?", said Steve.

"The redhead girl came in second.", said Kevin Sr. "What about third place?", I said. "That would be the girl with the blonde hair.", said Anna. "Yes!", said Amanda.

"The prizes will be $3 for first place, $2 for second place, and $1 for third place.", said Kevin Sr. "Here's $1 for you, $2 for you, and $3 for you.", said Anna as she was handing out the money. Then after the money got handed out, it was about time for all of us to head back to the apartment complex.

"Now let's all head back to the apartment complex.", said Kevin Sr. And we left the playground to head back to me and Steve's place of residence. We arrived there and was going to continue our Easter Sunday.

***

And we all did a few more fun Easter Sunday activities before we called it a day. Afterward, it was about time for the guests of Steve's household, including me, to head back home for dinner. Before the guests left, Steve's parents were nice enough to give us some Easter candy to enjoy.

"I've had a great time spending Easter with your family!", said Amanda. "Thank you very much!", said Anna. "We should all do this with Steve's family next year.", said, Ariana.

"That's a great idea Ariana.", said Nathan. "I and my wife would be happy to have you all do this again with us next Easter.", said Kevin Sr. Then all of Steve's guests, including me, left one by one.

And I was the last one to leave. "Luckily for me, my place is just downstairs, so I don't have to travel far.", I said before I left Steve's place. "See you tomorrow at school Jamal.", said Steve. "Alright, see ya.", I said. Then I left Steve's place.

***

"The living room is all yours.", said Kevin Sr. to Steve and Kevin. "Easter dinner will be ready very shortly.", said Anna. "Alright.", said Kevin. "Thanks, mom and dad.", said Steve. Then Steve's parents left the living room.

"And you better not pull that same prank you tried to pull on me last year?", said Kevin. "What?", said Steve. Steve didn't know what his brother was talking about. "What are you talking about Kev, what prank?", said Steve who couldn't recall his memory of last year.

"Tomorrow is April Fools' Day, so we better be on the lookout for any potential pranks tomorrow at school.", said Kevin. "Yeah, but it's not Fools' Day yet. Let's kill the rest of our time this Easter doing what we want.", said Steve. "I'll go watch some TV.", said Kevin. "And I might go read a book or something. Happy Easter bro!", said Steve. "Happy Easter to you too bro!", said Kevin.

And it turned out to be a pretty awesome Easter Sunday for all of us. There was still plenty of daylight in the evening in contrast to Christmas night. And Fools' Day started the next day.