Though I was slightly more prepared for Easter this year than last (i.e. I actually bought candy ahead of time and pre-planned some activities), I still feel like I have a long way to go before I'm pleased with the level of tradition and celebration our family associates with this holiday commemorating the singular most important and marvelous event in the history of mankind.
I don't mind the "fun" aspects of Easter, but I'm afraid it's all to easy for me and the kids to get so caught up in those that we forget the more meaningful and significant parts. For example, early in the month I had planned to make resurrection cookies or resurrection rolls with the kids on Saturday evening and continue with the discussion on Easter morning. After making my "plan," I promptly forgot it and didn't remember again until Easter morning. So, if anyone has suggestions on how to find a good balance, while perhaps erring on the spiritual side, please let me know! Too late, I found a blog with ideas on Countdown to Easter activities. I think I'll try that next year.
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One long-standing tradition we do have is taking poor Easter outfit pictures. And you know how I feel about breaking traditions...
Meanwhile, we did manage to have a lot of fun activities.
We colored Easter Eggs:
The second is our traditional (2nd annual!) home hunt. Hiding the eggs is so fun! Mark took great pleasure in hiding them in conspicious, yet camouflaged locations.
Our third hunt was at my Aunt Deanna's home. My cousin Mandy called earlier in the week saying, "Erin, you know you're invited for Easter, right?"
"No!" I answered. It's been so long since we've lived close to family that I've forgotten to even consider the possibility of celebrating holidays with family. Such a nice change!
Deanna organized a special egg hunt for the littlest kids (3 and under). Their eggs were hidden more easily and filled with crackers and fruit snacks. By this time, Bryce was a hunting pro. He wasted no time darting around the yard filling up his bag.
Then came the hunt for the bigger kids. The three five year-old cousins had a slight head-start on the three oldest cousins, but there were SO MANY eggs, I don't think it mattered much.
Aubree's bag was bulging by the time she finished. When Bryce saw the big kids dart off, he jumped back up and joined the hunt again. More candy? Count him in!
3 comments:
Even if you consider your Easter outfits pictures "bad," at least you took them. We were so rushed that morning that we walked out the door to church without taking any pictures and by the time we got home I changed the kids out of their clothes before I remembered to take pictures. I think I will have to do a mini photo shot to capture them in their Easter outfits again.
I have an Easter egg hunt we do every year with eggs containing things about the life of Christ. This year we did it on Easter to try and focus on the real reason for the holiday. I agree that it is so easy to get caught up in all the other parts of the holiday.
Here is a good blog that you might enjoy. She had lots of great Christ centered Easter activities this year. But it would also be a great resource for the entire year. http://beinglds.blogspot.com/. The blog is actually called We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ. And your kids looked so cute for Easter.
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