HAPPY EASTER!!!

This Easter I really thought a lot about what traditions we wanted to establish and how we wanted to teach our children about Easter. How much commercialism to take part in and how best to explain about the scarifice and miraculous resurrection of Our Savior.

After much contemplation we decided that we'd enjoy our baskets and candy and a special Easter breakfast on Saturday and then spend Sunday focusing on the Savior. In introducing our Easter festivities at breakfast we also explained to Brady what we would do on both days and that even though it's fun to get candy and have egg hunts that those things aren't the real meaning of Easter. Those things can help remind us of Springtime and how the whole earth is reborn with new grass, flowers and baby animals- but it's really a reminder of how Christ died and was reunited with his body again, and still lives today!

This Easter has meant more to me than any other because I've spent a lot of time learning more about Christ's life during the last weeks before his crucifixion and resurrection and finding ways to teach a child so that they might start to understand Jesus' love and sacrifice for us!

This is the beautiful "egg" basket that Brady made with his Grammie Morgan! It has brought "sunshine to our souls!" If you look carefully you'll see a nest and a feather that Brady found and some eggs in it in the middle of the basket!

Our Easter breakfast:

Scrambled eggs: a symbol of new life

Fresh fruit: fruits from the earth

"Resurrection rolls" symbolizing the empty tomb after the third day (we made these with crescent rolls, butter, cinnamon and sugar and a marshmallow in the middle. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes and when they're done the marshmallow will have melted and left the inside of the roll empty!)

Hot cocoa with a bunny marshmallow!

Then we had our "eggcellent" scavenger hunt! This year was a little different; usually we just do some eggs with candy and an easter basket filled with a few toys and inexpensive games. A few days ago I happened to be trying to return a toy at a store when I noticed an awesome train table on sale for half off! There were only a few left so I decided to jump on the deal and get an early start on Christmas shopping! Well, it's been a LONG winter (check my next post!) and Brady has gotten very bored with all of his toys and is driving me CRAZY with his selective hearing, inability to stay entertained and whining! It's very hard to find things that will keep him busy and we haven't been able to go outside very much at all...so after discussing it with Chris and "stewing" over it for a few days we decided that our (MY) sanity was well worth it and we'd give Brady the train table early and give him something that will entertain him until the snow melts and the grass dries (hopefully!!!!!)

So, needless to say, we had a great scavenger hunt with Brady with fun "clues" for him to follow with each egg that he found! It was great (and we got it on video too!)

Clue #1: You like to help mommy cook- go get your whisk!

Clue #2: Follow your nose to where we keep the cheese cold!

Clue #3: Mommy and Daddy tell you to close your eyes when we are in this place getting "squeaky clean!"

(This led him to the shower in the bathroom where he found his Easter basket that had some candies, some "Croc" clogs, and a game! We didn't get a good picture!)

Clue #4: This is the cozy place where Baby Olivia will snuggle in a few months!

Clue #5: "Buzz" and "Zerg" (his goldfish) think that your cool! Bring them their food!

Clue #6: Ready, set, find your favorite hiding place! (an empty cupboard in the kitchen)

Inside the cupboard he found a "Marble Run" which we really think he'll enjoy!

Clue #7: Show us how and where you wash your hands!!!!

Clue #8: Sometimes you drive us BANANAS!

(Like today!)

Clue #9: We like to visit Grammie and Grandpa and sometimes we open this bog door to find a snack! (Their pantry)

He was so cute! he knew right where to go and led us all downstairs to my parent's house and when he opened the pantry door he had the hugest smile! He was like, "Ah! Wow! A Train!"

So, hopefully all of my hard work and preparation was worthwhile and that he'll love this and play with it ALL THE TIME!!! HAPPY EASTER! (we'll do our "spiritual Sunday post tomorrow on Easter!)

Putting together all of the pieces!!!!!!!!! (no small task when your 3 year old is trying to "help" and won't stay out of anything! Poor Chris, he exhibited "much patience!")

And the finished product! WHOA!!!! This thing is double the size that I thought it was....goodbye livingroom! Hello "fashionable" train coffee table!