From Tears to Cheers

Our church hosted a Candy Scramble today, complete with games and LOTS and LOTS of candy!  I couldn't believe how much candy my kids took home!

Grandma and Grandpa Estelle were visiting, so they came along.  A lot of the activities and inflatables were inside, but they set up the egg hunt outside in the grassy areas around the church.

Ethan had a great time at the baseball pitch area.

His friend, Caleb, cheered him on!

We all lined up for the scramble, divided by age groups, and I stayed with Everett, Elliot and my parents while Derrick took Ethan to the older kids area.  The count down was on and then the scramble for the candy at "GO!".  Everyone ran to grab candy... everyone but Elliot.  He picked up one piece, tossed his head into the air, and then, screaming, dropped to his knees.  At first I didn't know what was going on, but then I realized he was acting like he did the first time we went Easter Egg hunting, and it was going to be nothing but tears.

Everett and Elliot, ready for the candy scramble!

Elliot picked up one piece and then threw a HUGE fit!

Dropping to his knees in protest, I had to get a picture.

While Elliot cried, Everett went into overdrive, grabbing anything he could and filling his bucket.

Grandpa Estelle noticed he was having a hard time and came along side him to encourage him.  I still don't know what sets him off... it is either the noise of the start or the fact that he has to share his candy!  Silly boy.

Grandpa Shannon helped Elliot fill his bucket.

Once he got started he didn't slow down.

With his confidence boosted, he was able to gather up lots of candy.

Overflowing!

Satisfied with his bucket of candy.

Right away he went to work on his favorite candy, a sucker.

On our way home, again, against my better judgement since we already looked like we robbed a candy store, I let Derrick talk me into another egg hunt.  We stopped at one we've done in the past and waited while everyone got ready to start.  As we waited, they handed out boxes of cookies from HyVee. Wow, just keep the sugar coming!

Elliot, preparing for battle.

My bunch of bucket-heads, waiting for the activities to start.

Elliot was actually smiling before the countdown for this one!

The age groups were even more divided this year, with all three boys in different areas.  This time Elliot was happy to get started and didn't have any troubles hunting for his eggs.  There was less kids in his area so maybe that was it, or maybe he just needed a few warm ups to get comfortable with the concept?  Either way, they had a lot of fun.

No tears!

Grandpa Shannon encouraged Elliot as he went along.

Everett was proud of his bucket full of eggs!

After collecting, they took out all the goodies and returned the eggs to the church to use for next year.