We entertained various children and grandchildren from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday, and the activity started a week or two earlier with clearing and cleaning guest bedrooms and bathrooms prior to the visits, plus planning meals and shopping. Nothing better than deadlines to get the ball rolling.
Clearing is necessary because John often overtakes any empty space for one or many of his writing projects, and I do the same for sewing, mending, and package wrapping projects. Fortunately the disassembling wasn’t as difficult as it’s been in the past, and there was less grumbling about it.
Once the visits begin, there is the in-between-visitors changing and washing sheets, and remaking beds from single night over-nighters, to get ready for the next round or at least making it look ready and doing it all because I love bedrooms to look ready for guests all the time. It gives me a feeling of peace. John remembers my mother as exemplifying the gift of hospitality. I hope I am following in her footsteps.
dated, but bright blue and white…… 
wrapping package center (see those travel brochures by the ladder on the desk) 
guest towels and a print above them we want to frame – not done yet
Between cooking and cleaning, eating and dying eggs, it was go, go, go the whole time they were here, and interspersed through the days, were the Holy Week services — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. It is wonderful to have our children and grandchildren accompany us to the services and the Mass. With none of our six children living in Rockford, it’s a real treat to have them with us.
Pot for the front porch…loving the color combo! 
Lilies in the walk through 
White tulips on the table
And behold the gift bearing – usually consumables or in this case plantibles – perfect for this time of year – so pretty! Then the weather – nice enough to hang out on the patio and to set the mixed floral arrangement out on the porch. Brian suggested a walk up to the Walker site to see what it looked like without their neighborhood school. Makes me sad. But it’s wonderful that the park district is putting the park on the priority list for a complete upgrading, made possible with the help of a generous neighbor, the advocacy of our state Senator, and grants from the state. It will be a wonderful park and green space for our neighborhood children.
The Monday after Easter was a day to catch our breath, put our feet up, and catch a little nap, which doesn’t seem to happen when the kids are home. We both remember my own parents often dozing in a chair or lounging on a sofa while visiting. And we have been caught snoozing on the porch when at our kids’ homes. Some of our children even plan a nap time for themselves as well as their little ones. We’re happy to observe the custom with them. I think we have to learn the art of catching a cat nap even when hosting the crew. Could it be that John and I are, even subconsciously, trying to make it look like it’s nothing! We can do this!
