Happy Easter :: by mama

As Kaya gets older, we have been making more of an effort to introduce some American holiday traditions.  I think traditions in general are important for all children, but perhaps even more so for children living overseas, to help them understand their own culture despite being far from home. 

Let's be clear: the goal here is not to blindly inculcate our children in American culture.  Rather, our motivation lies more in a desire to help the boys understand their identity and to ground them in something larger than our immediate family.  In particular, Kaya identifies strongly (and proudly) with being American.  I think it helps him to understand his place in the world, and so we want to help him to understand what that means, at least to us. 

So, although I personally don't remember ever dyeing Easter eggs as a child, I thought it would be a good experience for Kaya.  We invited a friend of his over, and it was a little cultural exchange.  (His friend, though also an ex-pat, is not Christian and had not experienced this Easter tradition, but was eager to try it out.)  They first colored the Easter eggs with wax crayons, then dyed them.

They turned out quite well, and the kids were happy with the results.

The next day, the Easter bunny hid eggs around the apartment, along with baskets for both Kaya and Kiran.  Kaya had a lot of fun finding the eggs, eating the chocolates, and playing with his new Easter toys.  Kiran enjoyed the eggs and toys as well (no chocolates, maybe next year!).

However, the biggest hit seems to have been the basket itself.  It has endless possibilities as a push toy...

a hat...

and a stool.  Good times.

Finally, I'll leave you with the quote of the holiday, from Kaya.  He evidently spent a lot of time thinking about this, because he said basically the same thing to me and to Chris, on two separate occasions:

Kaya: Daddy, I know the Easter bunny isn't real.
Daddy: Really?  Why is that?
Kaya: Because it's really Santa, just dressed up as a rabbit!