Hoppy Easter Sign and more Holy Week activities

Friday was in the 60's here in PA, I thought spring had finally arrived.   I got out all the summer baby clothes that had been stored in the basement so I could wash them and get them ready to be worn.  My 4 yr old went for a bike ride without a jacket.  I even made an Easter decoration for the mantle.
So imagine my surprise when on Saturday, we woke up to snow.  There was a light dusting on the grass and it snowed off and on throughout the day.  And again on Monday, a few more flurries.  It's been a long, cold and snowy winter here.  I am so ready for spring.  I just had to make something to brighten up the place so I made this "Hoppy Easter" sign.

It was really easy to make.  I used acrylic craft paint, wood, scrapbook paper and vinyl that I already had so this project cost $0!  I painted the wood pink on one side, and green on the back and sides.  I made those bunnies from scrapbook paper cut out with my Silhouette Cameo.  The image I found online and followed THIS TUTORIAL for how to cut your own images using the Silhouette.  I also used the Silhouette to cut out the white vinyl.  I attached it all to the block of wood, using Mod Podge to make sure it stuck.  And voila!  My one and only Easter decoration (for now).

Yes, I know my mantel is pathetic.  I need to add some more Easter decor and make it look more spring like.  And this point, I doubt I'll get to that, but at least I have one bright and colorful thing up there to make me think spring regardless of the weather.

In case you missed my last post with activities to do each day from now until Easter Sunday that focus on Christ, you can click HERE.  For the original inspiration and ideas for celebrating Holy Week, check out click HERE to go over to the Mercy River blog.

On Sunday we learned about Palm Sunday and reenacted Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

On Monday we learned about Jesus cleansing the temple and acted that out too.

And today we'll learn about some of the parables Jesus taught.  There are several videos to watch and talk about in this lesson.

I am enjoying celebrating Holy Week with my kids.  We will have to make this a new Easter tradition.

Anyone else doing something special to remember the Savior this week?

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Easter Decorating, Party, Egg Hunt and Remembering CHRIST

Thursday I hosted an Easter Party and Egg Hunt for 35 kids between the ages of 2-12.
It was a lot of fun and surprisingly stress-free.

Here are my 5 tips for making any party easier:

1. Use your strengths and delegate your weaknesses

2. Plan every detail

3. Prepare in advance

4. Allow plenty of time to set up

5. Be flexible because it won't turn out according to plan

Check out yesterday's post HERE for more details of the games and egg hunt.

I also made some simple bunting like I did for the cowboy themed chili cook off (click HERE to check that out.  Just cut some spring themed scrapbook paper into small triangles and sewed them together.  I hung them up on the windows and our mantel.

I then added some letters to the bunting on the mantel that say "Happy Spring".
I let Sweetie Pie decorate the mantel using what we had, stuffed bunnies and Easter books.


While it's so much fun to celebrate Easter and Spring with egg hunts and the Easter bunny, I also like to make sure my kids know the true reason we celebrate.  And that is the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  For the past two weeks we have been reading the accounts of the Savior's last days in the New Testament.

Here are links to several videos depicting the events of last days and resurrection of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible.  I hope you will take the time to watch one, some or all and share with your children the true meaning of the Easter holiday.  We rejoice in the knowledge that because of Christ's atonement we can repent of our sins and live again with our Father in Heaven.

He is Risen
John 20:11-17


The Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11


Jesus Warns Peter and Offers the Intercessory Prayer
Luke 22:31-34


The Last Supper
John 13:1-35


The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-57


Jesus Is Condemned Before Pilate
Matthew 27:1-2, 11-25


Jesus Is Tried by Caiaphas, Peter Denies Knowing Him
Matthew 26:57-75


Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified
Matthew 27:26-50


Jesus Is Laid in a Tomb
Matthew 27:57-60
Matthew 28:1-8


Jesus Is Resurrected
John 20:3-18



HAPPY EASTER!

Thanks for stopping by,
Christa