Denise Richards on Charlie Sheen Spending Easter with Her and Their Daughters: 'He's Always Welcome' (Exclusive)
"We love to cook and we have the family together," Richards tells PEOPLE
Denise Richards is excited about continuing her family's Easter tradition, which could feature an appearance from Charlie Sheen.
On Friday, the Love Actually star, 53, attended Midnight Mission's Easter Celebration in Los Angeles. There, the mom of three chatted with PEOPLE about her daughters — Eloise, 12, Lola, 18, and Sami, 20 — and how they plan to spend Easter this year.
“We love to cook and we have the family together," she says, adding that she also looks forward to their family's annual tradition. "For Easter, it’s always been Easter egg hunts. My older girls are a little older but it's fun for them to see their little sister still enjoy the Easter bunny and an Easter egg hunt."
As for whether Sheen, with whom Richards shares Lola and Sami, typically joins in on holiday gatherings, Richards adds, "It depends on which holiday. He's always welcome."
Asked if Sheen, whom Richards divorced in 2005 after nearly three years of marriage, will celebrate this Easter with them, she tells PEOPLE, "I don't know. Sometimes we play it by ear ... The more the merrier at our house. We just cook a lot of food and friends and family come so it's always fun."
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
She points out that she and Sheen's daughters are both officially adults, adding that co-parenting is amicable.
"We get along, we have a good relationship."
While at the event, Richards also told PEOPLE why attending was important to her.
"I think it’s really wonderful to be able to give back, especially now in these times," she says. "The homeless situation in Los Angeles is at the highest I think it’s been, ever. I think it’s a great opportunity to be able to help out and be able to give back. A lot of them don’t have families, so to be a part of a day like today is really wonderful.”
Related: Denise Richards Says She Had to 'Drop the Kids Off' at Charlie Sheen's Gate After Their Divorce
Later in the evening, the actress joined the nonprofit organization in providing a traditional holiday meal, hygiene kits, candy and other treats for unhoused and housing-insecure people in Los Angeles.
Sami has grown close to her mom again after reportedly moving out of Richards' home in 2021 to live with her father.
The mother-daughter duo appeared to have repaired their bond, and Sami even moved near Richards last year, a source told PEOPLE in July 2023. The insider added that Lola Rose was also living under her mother’s roof.
"Sami has her own place — Denise helped her get set up and decorate everything and get settled in," the source explained. "They're closer than ever now. Denise really wants to keep her girls close to her. She doesn't want to push them away."
"For Denise, it has been traumatizing trying to stay on top of everything and work full time," the insider continued. "But she's a great mom and she has limitless energy for her kids. She puts them first above everything."
In November, Richards was photographed attending the 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, supporting Marine Toys for Tots. The actress made a rare appearance with her daughter Eloise and husband Aaron Phypers, 51.
In 2019, Richards talked with PEOPLE exclusively about her daughter Eloise, then 7, revealing that for the actress, being a mom is the no. 1 priority.
“I’m most proud of raising my kids, especially in a time that is very different from how I was raised,” said Richards. “It’s extremely hard to keep children grounded. This is not an easy time to grow up.”
And when it comes to raising Eloise, whom Richards initially adopted as a single mom, the actress has a unique set of challenges. A chromosomal disorder “has caused a lot of developmental delays for her,” explained Richards.
“She can only say a handful of words. And there are times when she feels like her age in understanding, and then other times where it feels she’s emotionally 3 years old," the devoted mom explained. "It’s been challenging. I’m learning every day because they don’t really have a road map for her particular case.”
“Every child is different,” she noted. “You take care of your children no matter what is going on with them. I don’t know if [Eloise] is ever going to talk like a typical child. But as a parent, you want what’s best for your children, and you just do it.”
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.