We were in Canberra for Easter last year. So while we missed a few things that usually happen here in Melbourne this time of the year, we more than made up for it with all those days and hours with Abby, Kiddo and Mic. Those were precious moments.

This year, we celebrated Easter at home. A more familiar experience. On Thursday night, we had a home group (“Connect” Group) in our home, as the Longs were expecting another grandchild and we couldn’t meet in their home, which is the regular place the group met. We had a lovely time with the Churchwards and Davies and Juat along, with a few, other than the Longs, absent. The next day, we slept in a little bit and then a tradie came to fix a few things on the outside. The gates at the deck and the edgings on both the front and side/back lawns needed relaying. The guy (a really good bloke named Brent) came over a touch after 8am, and started work. We stayed in, and followed the Good Friday service at St Alf’s online. We then went to Knox for lunch and later, we just whiled away the day at the oval and at home.

On Saturday, we went to Ruth’s at Woodend. Nic and her beau had wanted to visit them and Ruth offered to cook us lunch (lamb, of course!), so we headed there, stopping at the Cross Memorial at Mount Macedon. We had a lovely time there, catching up with Jon, Ruth and Micah, as well as Graeme, Jon’s dad who came over from Tassie to visit them. Their property looked very dry and I’m thankful we’d had the rain overnight – hopefully their paddocks had a bit to drink as well. We left Woodend just before 4pm, and got home around 5.30pm and promptly headed across to the oval. The little Padawan had gone with us to Woodend, and appeared to be far less anxious on the car ride. He looked far happier running around in the oval, which is his playground.

On Sunday, St Alf’s was decked out with beautiful decos that showed a crucified King that rose again. Tress and I were both on communion duty and it was one of those services with heaps more people than usual so the communion was also over an extended period of time. After church, we went to usual lunch spot at Donvale, before coming home for an easy arvo. Tress headed to the FHC for an ethereal session while I walked the little fellow across the ovals again. We then did some grocery shopping.

On Monday, the weather took a turn – a very wet turn. We were meant to be at the G for the usual Easter Monday game between the Hawks and the Cats, but Tress was a bit apprehensive about the very wet (with thunderstorm too) so I suggested she stayed home. I braved the arvo myself and headed to the G. The rain did come down, and the last quarter was delayed as the thunderstorms were a hazard on-field. The Hawks were again beaten, albeit some fighting moments emerged in the second and the start of the last quarter. That’s 0-3 to start the season, and with United also languishing mid table, it looks like another year of doom and gloom for my teams…

Kiddo, Mic and Abby went to Sydney for the long weekend. They stayed with Caleb and Cariss and their boys, and the pictures we received from Kiddo and Mic suggest they had a great time, Abby included. Also, my brother turned 60 yesterday. We bought him a dinner in a nice joint in KL but he’ll likely use it later, and he said he will get “their parents” along. That will be nice.

It has been an Easter with more familiar routines. As always, I’m very grateful.