First and foremost, four day weekends are amazing. It was so lovely waking up on Friday knowing that I had three more lie-ins ahead of me. Bliss.
This Easter we kept it quite low-key and very relaxed. A perfect way to spend the time if you ask me! Thursday night we had a nice easy dinner which was inspired by Maria from Running Cupcake. I really fancied something warming, like soup, but also wanted something a bit more carby so this fitted perfectly. Home-made tomato soup with a chicken quesadilla.
The soup was ever so simple. Just a tin of cherry tomatoes (for soups this is perfect because they’re slightly sweeter than ordinary chopped tomatoes), some vegetable stock, a chopped small onion, herbs (like basil & thyme) and a tiny bit of sugar. I blitz it with a hand blender at the end but left it a bit ‘lumpy’ as I wanted a bit of texture to it rather than it to be completely smooth.
The quesadilla was just filled with chopped chicken, onion, mushrooms and zucchini that I’d fried with some spices (e.g. paprika & cumin) and garlic. I spread a fair amount of cream cheese on each tortilla and then popped one onto a frying pan, loaded it with the mixture and popped the other tortilla on top and fried, and then cooked the top under the grill.
On Friday I got all the housework done and dusted (pun intended). As sad as it sounds I like to get the house in order before anything else because then you can really chill knowing that the bulk of the jobs are done. To be honest, we didn’t do much else. We watched the last of Game of Thrones and had pizza for dinner. Perfect.
Saturday morning I went for my long run (10 miles).
To be honest it felt very tough and I felt very tired the majority of the time. But I’m glad I went. I love getting back from a long run and just feeling like I’ve accomplished something really great. In the great scheme of things of course I haven’t, but I just feel on top of the world and ready for anything.
And believe me, I needed to be ready for anything. Ben and me were going to help out my sister and brother-in-law by looking after Ellie, our niece. After my run I showered, ate, and we picked Ellie up to take her back to ours for an afternoon of fun.
Now, let me explain something first. I am not very good with babies/children. I freak out and have no idea what to do with them, how to speak with them, or anything really. So this was a HUGE step. Of course I’ve been around Ellie (who is just over three years old) loads of times, but never just Ben and me. Alone. No actual adults. So to say I was nervous was an understatement.
In my mind I had planned out the day in a regimented format and imagined we would drift from one planned event to another with gentle ease. Yes, I realise now how delusional and naive I was.
We had a day planned of an egg hunt, building towers with some blocks, colouring and episodes of Dora the Explorer. However, pretty much only the egg hunt happened. We had smallish eggs and one big egg hidden all over the house and it was really fun to watch her try to find them. I thought we’d put them in really obvious places but she still needed some hints from us, bless her.
After that she wanted to feed the eggs to Alfie. Quick intervention (much to Alfie’s disappointment) and all was well again. Then it was a whirlwind time of starting to do one thing and quickly wanting to do something else. I’d like to say organised chaos…but just chaos covers it. We started watching a film (Land Before time One million and Three IV) and I was getting quite into it when she decided nope she didn’t want to do that anymore.
Good luck to whoever marries this little lady one day 
For lunch I made some egg mayonnaise sandwiches which in retrospect was probably a mistake (thank you, Nick, oh kind brother-in-law, to suggest such a meal). There was egg and mayo EVERYWHERE. I had to leave the room. It broke my soul.
As much as it sounds like it was a stressful time, we really had fun. It wasn’t at all like I had planned. But of course, you can’t plan things with a three year old. You just have to go with the flow.
My parents showed up to rescue help us and we all went to Manor farm, a local park and farm, to see some animals and have a nice walk.
It was freezing but it was great to see all the animals – especially the baby animals.
This lamb is four days old!
I couldn’t get over the turkey though. It was HUGE and, honestly, it wasn’t winning any beauty contests (no offence, turkey). And Ellie saying “Christmas dinner” to him probably didn’t make him feel any better… 
My dad was there as well but he managed to dodge the photos.
We had a lovely cup of tea to warm us up and then parted ways. When Ben and I got home (Ellie-less) we realised how shattered we were. Kudos to anyone who has kids!
Right, I think I will leave it there! I have a few more adventures to recap but I will save them for the next post as this post is far too long as it is. Gold stars for anyone who read down this far
What did you get up to over Easter?
Are you good with kids? Do you feel comfortable looking after them (plural? You’re crazy!)?
What’s your favourite farm animal? I think mine was definitely the lambs. They were just hopping around so happily. I was happy that I don’t eat lamb!
I have to say I’m not the best with children, I’m just not used to them at all! I try and make conversation which is usually met with a blank stare… ha!
Oh I’m glad someone else feels my pain! I feel like I complete failure of a female haha.
Wow that sounds stressful! Babysitting is not easy work. At least you had the farm to go to- HOW CUTE ARE THOSE BABY ANIMALS?! Ahh lol
I know, that just made the day seeing those little cute lambs and rabbits. So adorable.
Ahh love the story of your first time solo-babysitting! haha…I’m definitely afraid of kids still….with the exception of my sister’s kids. But anyone who’s not in my immediate family, I get very nervous watching them! I absolutely loveddd the Land Before Times movies though so that stinks that she lost interest! haha I would’ve been disappointed too. And great job getting your 10 miles in!! You should definitely be feeling accomplished after that one.
I was actually surprised by how good the Land Before Time sequel was – I was expecting it to be really rubbish, but Ben and I were absorbed. Not Ellie though haha.
that soup does sound fantastic and super simple!
The best soups are the most simple I always find 🙂
Oh those lambs are adorable! I love an easter egg hunt but I missed out on one as my nephews were poorly!
Aww what a rubbish time to be poorely! Hope they’re better soon.
Sounds like you had a fab Easter. Those lambs are so cute!
I know! I just wanted to take one home hehe.
Awww. The baby animals are the cutest! Great way to celebrate Easter with the family.
Looking forward to the remaining recap! 🙂
It was a lovely day, despite being a bit stressful hehe.
Your simple Friday night dinner sounds fantastic! I grew up eating tomato soup with grilled cheese, but I love the idea of swapping it for a quesadilla. The soup recipe sounds blissfully easy, too; I may give it a try this week!
Ahaha! I laughed out loud when I read what Ellie said about “Christmas dinner.” Poor turkey is right! It sounds like you handled the day quite well, though, given her spunky (albeit exhausting) three year-old personality. I’d completely forgotten about the Land Before Time movies—looooved those when I was little! I also adored egg mayonnaise sandwiches (and still do), but I’m sure I made a mess every time I ate them, just like Ellie did.
I actually really enjoy spending time with little kids, but after a couple of hours I’m exhausted. I wonder if parenting stamina gets better with practice, or if chronic exhaustion is just something you learn to deal with? Hmm.
Hope you’re having a good week, Anna! <3 xoxo
I’m dying to see the first Land Before Time now. I remember watching it so many times when I was little. It was so sad! They just don’t make them like that anymore…hehe.
I am hugely impressed with my sister being able to cope with Ellie on a daily basis, or anyone really having kids. It’s just a mammoth of a task. As much as I love Ellie, it was a relief to hand her back hehe.