Pre-Easter

We both have to work Easter this year so I decided to put together a pre-Easter celebration on Palm Sunday. We all know I'm big on traditions and Isla's at the age where we can really begin to start some fun annual activities. I like the idea of keeping bunnies and egg hunts and baskets and fluff separate from Easter Sunday so that we can make sure our kids are raised understand the real reason we celebrate Easter. But I'm still trying to figure out a balance between what we will make a part of our family and what we will leave out - not an easy task! This year Isla and I did a special little project earlier in the month and created our own homemade set of Resurrection Eggs. It's been a neat way to teach Isla the story of Easter.  

 I let her paint an egg carton pink and hopefully we'll pull it out every year and count down the 12 days to Easter while recounting Jesus' death and resurrection. We also spent an afternoon dyeing some real eggs for our Pre-Easter breakfast. Isla loved the half and half approach and did a great job!

 The girls were delighted to see some special baskets waiting for them on the front porch when they woke up. I neglected to discuss with Graham whether we were going to be an Easter bunny family or not (he grew up with the Easter Squirrel) and he went ahead and told Isla that the baskets were from the Easter Rabbit. Isla spent the rest of the day running to the front door, trying to get a glimpse of said Easter Rabbit. Oops.

Isla helped me make their little "baskets" out of supplies we had lying around the house earlier in the week.

 Emma loved her little wind-up hopping bunny 

 And the girls immediately went to work making a nest out of the Easter grass for their little bunny and chick.

My house is now covered in Easter grass 

 

 After naps, we went outside to do an egg hunt.

 Isla hunted for the both of them and Emma filled her bag with dirt. 

 

 Emma suddenly grew very interested in the eggs when she realized there were SNACKS inside! Cheerios and mandarin orange wedges - every kids' dream! Honestly, my kids couldn't have been happier. :) 

We closed out the day feasting on roast lamb, tomato bread salad, sauteed potatoes and zucchini, and Resurrection Rolls (which were a miserable failure) with friends. Twas a great day!