MONDAY
Monday - Jesus at Bethany and Jerusalem - Read Matthew 26: 1 - 35We went to Thanksgiving Point for live bunnies, stories, games, etc. Michael's all time favorite story is "Peter Rabbit". We were SO lucky to find the story teller reading that very book and asked "WHO wanted to be Peter Rabbit and wear his blue jacket with little gold buttons?!" Michael was ecstatic and felt VERY important when he was chosen to play this role as she read! What a treat!
TUESDAY
Tuesday - The Garden of Gethsemane - Read Matthew 26: 36- 56We usually get & read a new children's book about Christ. This year was replacing our "Three Trees" book and we enjoyed looking through books at this cute reading corner at Barnes & Noble.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday - Jesus Before the High Priest - Read Matthew 26: 57- 75
Family joined us as we decorated easter eggs this day. Genevieve didn't realize what she was doing when she dipped her hands into the dye and then grabbed an egg! We all laughed at the fact that she just hand printed her first egg for decorating!
MAUNDY THURSDAY (“Maundy”: washing of feet)
Thursday – Jesus Before Pilate, the last supper, washing of feet - Read Matthew 27: 11- 31
Holy Thursday Dinner Menu:
- Roast Beef (Reminder of Christ the Paschal Lamb)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Spinach (reminder of the bitter herbs)
- Applesauce (reminder of the Charoses)
- Garlic Flat Bread
- Grapes (reminder of the wine of the Last Supper which becomes the Blood of Christ)
- Dessert (Because it’s a festive day)
The children are reminded that this meal is different than what the Jews celebrate because Christ already died and saved us, so we are not still awaiting a Messiah. We are merely doing it in imitation of Christ, so we can use all of our senses to know, love and serve Christ.
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday - The Crucifixion of Jesus - Read Matthew 27: 32-61
Talking about this day with kids can be a little heavy.
We started the morning with Hot Cross buns. Each bun has an icing cross on top to signify the crucifixion and talked about the crucifixion. Michael was a little worried about the death of Jesus. He said, "Jesus is dead but he's gonna come back to life, right?" I assured him that's how history played out. :)
We hosted a little Easter party for Michael and his friends. They had buns, decorated cookies, hunted eggs, painted sun catchers, and played all sorts of games! They had a blast!
HOLY SATURDAY
Saturday - The Guard at the Tomb - Read Matthew 27:62- 66
Easter landed on a Sunday this year. Once again, I LOVE living in UTAH! All the Easter egg hunts were on Saturday so that we could focus on the real meaning of Easter on Sunday!
We gathered with family to have an Easter egg hunt as well as hunted up at the park in our neighborhood. Traverse Mtn. put on a GREAT hunt! It was huge and well organized so the little ones didn't get run over! Our huge family had a blast filling and hiding eggs and sharing dinner together. Genevieve actually hunted for eggs and got some! Cousin Kaleb helped her put some in her Easter bucket. She got an egg that had $10 in it! So it went straight to her big helper, Kaleb. She found the slide at the park and with NO fear or hesitation, went down the slide head first! She crawled right back up the stairs and went down the slide over and over again! We were so surprised!
At night we read the crucifixion story together with the above scrips by candle light.
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EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday - The Resurrection - Read Matthew 28: 1- 20
Our little family woke up greeting each other with "Rejoice! Christ is Alive!"
For breakfast we had yummy, fluffy, “risen” yeasty breadsMichael helped me make peanut butter filled and rice krispie studded chocolate Easter eggs to give to his teachers and Primary leaders at church. He went to each teacher and leader and while handing them an egg he had made and wrapped in colored foil, joyfully and giddily shouted "Rejoice! Jesus is Alive!!" I thought some of the leaders were going to start crying with how sweet this display of faith was in our little man. He was SO happy to know that Jesus is resurrected, Alive, and that He loves us!
Michael found his easter egg basket (for our little family we give gifts in baskets- symbolizing the gift of the savior's life) after church and loved all the fun toys and treats in it. Auntie Jennifer gifted Genevieve an Easter basket that included a Precious Moments doll!
Russ & Jennifer's family came over to share our little Family's Traditional Dinner:
Grilled leg of Lamb served with lavender salt
Warmed olives
Orzo with roasted vegetables
Fluffy rolls
Trifle
I have been LOVING catching up on all of the fun events in your life. You have no idea how often I have wondered what you're up to - so it is fun to get the whole last year in review. I love all that you did for Easter, I can't believe Eric broke his collarbone and made you breakfast the next day, I laughed at your april Fool's jokes - thanks for letting me share in your life!
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