Easter is the Most Exhausting of the Main Holidays

Holidays are wonderful days with spent with family. For Easter yesterday the weather turned out to be a great spring Sunday. We spent time with family. Our kids had all the Easter egg hunts. My one year old surprisingly loved the Easter Bunny. I explained, or attempted to explain, to my children that Easter is more than eggs hunts and candy. I don't think it sank in. That's ok, they have time. What sunk in for me is that Easter is the most exhausting of the main holidays.

When I say main holidays I mean the ones where you have this big family event, dinner, brunch, breakfast, whatever. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter in my mind are the main holidays. Your family may celebrate other holidays that mine does not, so maybe you have a different most exhausting holiday. We can still commiserate.

With Thanksgiving, yea it's a monster meal full of drinks, apps, main courses, side dishes and dessert. It's a big lead up and the payoff is usually amazing once we make it to dinner. Most people are usually off on Black Friday, so it's easy to relax and digest your food the next day while you shop for Christmas deals!

Let's be honest, Christmas' lead up starts before we're even thinking about Thanksgiving. So over the long haul yea it can be exhausting, but after you get through Christmas morning and the joy of Santa and gifts, you're just going to a fun dinner party. Once again a lot more eating and drinking, but the whole feel of the season, the lights, decorated Christmas trees make it an amazing night. Depending on the line of work you're in, you also my be off the next few days or the office is dead the following week as everyone gears up for the new year.

The thing about Thanksgiving and Christmas is that chances are you're alternating which holiday you're spending with which side of your family. For us, if we do Thanksgiving with my family, then Christmas is with my wife's family. It then alternates the next year and so on. Easter is a whole different animal. I'm not sure if the nicer weather makes us cram everything into the day or what.

Easter went something like this:

7 year old up at 6:30a. Held him off for 15 extra minutes, then woke the other two kids.

Easter morning, too much candy by 9:30a.

Breakfast tradition with wife's family at a diner. Her grandfather used to book a few tables or large portion of a room to have Easter breakfast together. Happy the tradition continues after he passed.

Then we go directly to brunch with my family. Egg hunt, Easter bunny shows up. Some drinks here. Maybe a few snacks and bite to eat.

Off to dinner at my wife's aunt's house. Food. Egg hunt. Easter bunny showed up again!

Finally home at 8:30p. Realize you're completely fried by 8:35p.

All of that is a great day that I get to spend with loved ones, but man that Easter is the most exhausting of the main holidays. There is no doubt in my mind.

Now that it's been a few days since Easter, you're probably sick of eating Easter leftovers.

There are only so many meals that you can eat ham, potatoes, and eggs without feeling like Groundhog Day. So, why not dive into some of these recipes and make the most of your delicious leftovers? But before you dive into ham sandwich number 5, check the date on the package.  Just how long will that ham last in your fridge?

Families all around the country celebrate Easter, Christmas and other holidays by making ham the star of the meal.

In fact, Americans purchase over 300 million pounds of ham over the holidays. Why? Well, ham is popular for celebratory meals because of its versatility. But just how long does ham last in the fridge?

That answer can vary, so we turned to the experts to weigh in before you make your third, fourth, or fifth ham sandwich of the week. As a general guideline, your ham will last for about a week, says the Arizona Cooperative Extension.

A traditional Easter dinner typically includes a ham or lamb as the main course, with a variety of side dishes. Some common side dishes include potatoes whether they be mashed, scalloped, or in a cheesy casserole (my favorite!), green beans, carrots, rolls, and salad. Desserts often include chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and other Easter-themed treats.

The recipes below include a lot more sides to add to your protein to make a delicious Easter leftover dinner your family will ask for again and again. Also, don't forget a simple ham and cheese omelette is always a home run, too!

This hearty soup is perfect for a cold day. In a large pot, combine some cooked ham, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

These sliders are a fun and easy way to use up leftover ham. Simply spread some softened butter on slider buns, then top with cooked ham, cheese, and your favorite toppings. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

This hearty soup is perfect for a cold day. In a large pot, combine some cooked ham, beans, carrots, celery, onions, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This is an interesting take. You use your leftover cheesy potato casserole in waffle mix (store bought or use the recipe below) and add chicken ... How can that be bad???

Everyone has eggs left over from Easter. Before you chuck them try this recipe and add a little spice to your breakfast, lunch, or snack! Your kids will love cracking open their colorful eggs for a delicious meal.

Is your mouth watering yet? I mean, if the Pork Board suggests it, it has to be good! These recipes look delicious ...