Shay’s Pajama Party: April with Erika!

You guys all know Erika!  Her little family and my little family are super tight.  We spend pretty much every single day together…it’s true love people :).

Back in July when I came up with this Pajama Party concept, I knew Erika would be perfect for April.  Why?  Because both of her oldest kids have April birthdays and Erika is always doing something fun and creative to celebrate them and Easter.

Side note: Erika and I met because we were both in our mid-20s and both going through infertility problems.  (You can read my story here and Erika’s story here.)  One of our mutual friends told us we would get along great because we were both trying so hard to get pregnant and she thought we could struggle through yucky fertility problems together.  

Well…God had big plans for our little friendship…not only did we become forever friends but within an 18 month period, he blessed us with two kids each.  Yes!  Two infertile girls each had two kids within those 18 months.  

I’ll never forget where I was standing in my house when Erika called to tell me she was pregnant with baby #2…at the time, I had 10 month old and was 3 months pregnant with baby #2 and Erika had a 3 month old.  Ha!  God thinks he is so funny sometimes!  So, Erika’s first two babies are 12 months and 3 days a part.  Love it!  (And her 3rd sweet baby boy Bowen was born three years later, he’s one right now…and I picked out his name…just sayin’…I did.)

Meet the Slaughters!  That’s Ebby Lee (who turned 5 on April 9), Erika, Bowen (1), Tab (one of my hubby’s besties!) and Nixon (turning 4 tomorrow!).

Erika and I are no strangers to seeing each other in our pjs and sweats…we each love wearing our comfy clothes (and going to each other’s houses in our comfys too!).  Today, we’re curled up in front of the TV (because after this PJ Party talk, we’re totally going to watch Real Housewives together!), drinking coffee (mine with a splash of creamer and Erika’s with about 30 splashes) and eating coconut macaroons.  It’s time for our pajama party!

First up…food.  Both of us girls love some yummy food!

What is your favorite thing to make for supper this time of year?
Erika: This
is going to sound like a Mix and Match Mama advertisement…ha!!  But…my very favorite thing to make for supper
is Shay’s Spinach and Sun Dried Tomato Meatballs.  Delish!!! 
My family of five all loves them. 
I love that I’m feeding them all meatballs filled with spinach!

Me: We love meatballs too!  But we also love, love, love Pasta with Bacon and Corn.  So yummy!

What is your favorite treat to make with your kiddos this time of year?
Erika: We
love Mix and Match Mama’s Easter Rice Krispies Treats.  My daughter loves that they’re pink and my
son just loves that they taste good!!

Shay: My kids are all about the Cadbury Creme Eggs right now…and my Cadbury Creme Egg Brownies are their favorites!

Speaking of Easter…we now start talking about Easter traditions, food, and crafts (well, she talks about crafts and I pretend to know what she’s talking about…I don’t even own a glue gun, remember?).

What is your traditional Easter meal?
Erika: We
don’t have a “traditional” thing we do for Easter every year.  We don’t have a lot of family who live close,
so it tends to change based on who is in town.   In the past, we’ve actually gone out to eat
just because it’s easier than make a big meal for only the seven of us.  (Tab’s parents included).  This year my plan is to cook brunch-type
foods.  I’m super excited about giving it
a go!  What are the odds the night before
I suggest a restaurant??  We’ll see!

Shay: Since before I was born, my mom’s side of the family has met for lunch after church.  Right now, this is still the tradition that we do with our kiddos…however, we’re contemplating starting a new tradition beginning next year that is more personal to the Shull kids (and doesn’t require the hour drive from church to lunch).  

Me: This year, we are packing and moving into the new house (yay!), so our house is decorated with cardboard boxes this Easter ;).

What do you put in your kids’ Easter baskets?
Erika: Two-thirds
of my kiddos have birthdays around Easter every year, so I try to be super
practical in Easter baskets.  I like
putting things they really need like a beach towel, pool toys, or flip
flops.  I always throw in some little toy
and a couple pieces of candy.

Me: In our family, the grandparents provide the Easter baskets for the kids.  I have no idea how or why this tradition started…but growing up, I always received my Easter basket from my grandparents and now, my kids receive their baskets from Lovie.  I’m off the hook until I’m a grandma (which let’s all pray isn’t for a looooooong time!).

How do you keep Jesus in Easter?
Erika: We
have the Resurrection Eggs and I strongly recommend those for preschoolers or
toddlers!!  We do that activity a LOT
leading up to Easter. We talk about Jesus all year long, but we really try to
talk about why Easter is so important. 
This year we’re also doing the Resurrection Rolls.

Shay: Andrew and I always feel like if we’re talking about Jesus 365 days a year and keeping Him in the center of our lives, then it’s easy to keep Him in holidays too.  We don’t really talk about the Easter Bunny and stuff like that…they’ll hunt eggs and wave at the Bunny at Easter lunch but it’s just fictitious (like Mickey Mouse at Disney World).  They know that the real reason we celebrate is to recognize Christ’s death and resurrection. 

Now…Erika always has great birthday ideas for her kiddos’ in April.   I asked her what her biggest tip is for the combo party and here is what she said…Plan,
plan, plan!!!  When my kiddos were
younger, I did parties together because it was easier.  I didn’t want my friends to have to
spend  too much time celebrating with
us.  I’d strongly recommend doing that!!  Now they’re older and they have different
friends and different interests.  It just
doesn’t work for us anymore.  I also work
hard to make their actual birthday a special day.  You don’t have to do anything crazy or over
the top.

 Here’s a look back at Erika’s parties…

Ebby Lee (2) and Nixon (1) combo party: Lumberjack and Jill Theme