Easter 2016

Easter is such a special holiday!  We read the crucifixion story from the Jesus Storybook Bible often, but we read it extra carefully on Good Friday.  I wanted to be intentional about it with the kids.  Grace always seems so horrified that people did what they did to Jesus...shouldn't we all feel that way when we read it?  This year I decided not to do the Easter bunny...is that terrible?  I don't really care.  Grace didn't ask about it until the day before and I replied, "Oh, mommy and daddy are excited for you to see some special treats we got for you."  She asked, "So the Easter bunny isn't coming into our house?"  "Nope.  Mommy and daddy have it taken care of, but some people like to do the Easter bunny and that is okay, too."  There we had it.  Simple as that.

I grabbed some Easter gifts weeks ago for the kids at CVS.  It was during the end of our sick season and I started to go a little crazy...then I realized if I went overboard buying things, that may end up being the focus and expectation for the kids.  I already feel like we overdid it at Christmas, so I wanted to be intentional about choosing a few things but nothing outlandish.  If you like to go all out...absolutely no judgement here!  I bought chalk for each kid, bubbles, a book, and a few candies.  The kids were so excited Easter morning and we went straight to scripture to read about Easter.  Being intentional helps me as a mommy and as a believer who can often not spend enough time focusing on the real reasons for these different seasons we celebrate as Christians.  I'm not perfect; I'm learning from previous years!

We did have our second annual cul-de-sac Easter egg hunt with the Cloers and that was fun for the kids and aunt Lulu and uncle David did a great job with that packing a few candies, stickers, and money in eggs.

Good morning!

Wesley was up early on Easter.  Guess he knew there was sugar awaiting him.

Easter egg hunt with Timmy!  He has been living next door for almost a year now!

Grace's pre-school Easter egg hunt (think she had enough egg hunts??)  Love her class and everyone who helped put it on; thank you!

Easter Sunday: we didn't get a family picture but that's okay...these two sure do look cute.

There was lots of yard work going on in our yard and the Cloers' yard Easter weekend.  I hung out with the kids while the rest of the adults slaved away :)