The Easter Dinosaur

My sister-in-law, Carol, sent us some Easter chocolates with a dinosaur on the box and Cora asked me about the Easter Dinosaur.

I do not endorse fictitious holiday symbols that are a misguided attempt by parents to create "wonder" and for stores to cash-in on a cuddly character for marketing.   I understand.  Cadbury is not going to sell more chocolate if they are peddled by a biblical figure.

This isn't me protesting against commercialism.  I simply don't like the hype and I don't enjoy the charade of being a parent and having to manufacture the 'fun' of the Easter Bunny.

I can support the Easter Dinosaur though.  The naughty or nice list is believably enforced by a reptilian carnivore.  And Jurassic Park did for dinosaurs what Jaws did to sharks.  I think they could use some good publicity.  At least dinosaurs laid eggs.

We have been going to the beach often.  As I sit here on the couch, I can't wait to go back.  The last few trips we have met up with our friends, the Briens.  We have relatively low expectations when we travel to the ocean.  As Cole says: good weather, good waves and no jellyfish are all we need to make us happy; and to be honest, even the days with jellyfish aren't that bad.  But to be able to play in the surf with friends and watch our kids together is a dream.

Gabe loves to put his hands in his mouth.  I really hope he isn't teething yet.  I can't figure out another reason why he would be drooling like a great dane and trying to see if both fists will fit in his maw.  He will even put his hands deep in his gob causing him to cough and sputter.  His eyes water up and we wonder if his hands really taste as nice as he thinks they do.

He can support his head well enough that we have been putting him in the backpack carrier on walks.  It is the first step to getting him out hiking.  I think he is as excited as I am.

This year, Easter weekend public holiday here in Australia is five days long.  We get Good Friday off and since ANZAC Day falls on Monday, we celebrate Easter Monday on Tuesday.  Two more days to eat egg-shaped chocolate, grill meat over fire, and enjoy the exfoliating properties of beach sand as I apply more sunscreen.