Chasing Adventure

We are really liking our little community of campers and tiny homes, and spending the holiday celebrating with everyone here just solidified those feelings.

The owners decided to have a potluck the Saturday prior to Easter, and said they would supply the protein. Considering they are both trained chefs, I thought that was a banner idea! I loved Jessica’s idea to bring the big grill over to the community pavilion with the tractor!

They purchased and perfectly seasoned a huge ham, tons of chicken legs, and the largest brisket I’ve ever seen. One of the residents smoked the brisket overnight and it was the best brisket I had in my life! They roasted corn on the cob and the everyone went to town on all the food.

I’ve had so much fun hosting Easter egg hunts in the past, I wanted to do it for the 17 kids that live in our community (even though not all came to the party due to other plans). The owners gave me carte blanche to do whatever games I wanted for the kiddos. I bought 312 eggs and stuffed them full of candy. Maybe that was too much, but who cares. The kids loved it!

There were eggs that had prize slips, eggs that had tasks to complete, and eggs with money. Each kid got a little treat bag and after they had dumped their candy in their bag and their eggs in my bag, they were quick to ask me what other games I had planned. Thankfully, I had some ready!

At the start of the event, I let everyone know about the jelly bean jar guessing game. I counted out jelly beans into a glass jar, and the person closest without going over, got the jar. It was hysterical watching a couple of the guys teach the kids how to do the ‘math’ to get closest to the number. It was very sweet of Gareth, who won the jar, to gift it to the grandparent who had her 4 grandkids there. For those who were wondering, there was 931 jelly beans. Yes, that was a lot of counting.

Next, we played Poke-An-Egg. I found this idea when planning for a work Christmas party. I modified it a little and the residents enjoyed it. The cups were filled with candy and money. I believe every single person came up and poked an egg cup! That made me smile. 🙂

By this time the sugar was starting to kick in and we needed another activity game. This one I took from a staff kickoff event, modified for the Easter theme. The kids had to choose pairs and within that pair, someone had to be the catcher and someone the pitcher. I wouldn’t tell them what they were catching or pitching until they decided and we lined them up.

On the catcher we draped a plastic bag around them and then put a shower cap on their head. To the pitchers, we gave 10 peeps (you know, that marshmallow Easter candy that most people don’t eat?) each.

Do you see where I’m going with this? The kids didn’t either until we told the catchers to stand still while we covered their head with shaving cream. Then, it was off to the ballgame! The most peeps legally ‘caught’ won the prize. Funny thing… the prizes were the specialty peeps and most of the kids turned it down! I think the adults had more fun watching and helping than the kids on this event!

Next, we did the duck race. The kids had to squat down and grab their ankles with their hands and then ‘waddle’ across the finish line. I demonstrated the required pose, then called go!

Of course, all the adults were laughing and every kid was a winner!

The next game was Egg Toss. I made 3 circles out of rope, with points for each circle) and the kids had to toss their eggs with the most points winning (think skee-ball). Of course the boys had to ask if they could throw the eggs at each other first.

Boys…sigh….

Sweet little Eli and Kyler were my helpers to collect the eggs once they were thrown and cheer on the next contestant. I had to teach the boys to hold their hands so their hands wouldn’t get in trouble! Adorable littles!

Much to the chagrin of sweet Nova, I was all out of games at this point. She then took it upon herself (with my help) to bring the kids together for a game of Bunny Says. One of the activities the “Bunny” said to do was to do the hokey pokey. Those 8-12 year old boys took off so fast, I about fell over laughing with the Moms.

Overall, it was a roaring success. Everyone went home full of good food and great memories. Jessica (owner) and I are already planning a summer BBQ around the pool!

I pray your Easter celebrations were just as special with your friends and family!

~Katie