A Christ Centered Easter

We have begun celebrating the week of Easter today (technically it started yesterday but we used yesterday's lesson for today's scripture study). I purchased a book called "A Christ Centered Easter" a few years ago and I've used it most years since. For our scripture study today we talked about Palm Sunday and what the significance of that event was. We also started an LOA wall or, Love One Another wall. All week everyone can write reasons we love one another on the poster board and on Easter we will read them. Some of the other things we have planned:

Monday: "The Easter Story in Eggs"
Tuesday: "Parable Charades"
Wednesday: "Parable of the 10 Virgins", make oil lamps
Thursday: discuss the last supper and have our own nice dinner
Friday: "Easter Cookies", these cookies become hollow like the tomb
Saturday: The Easter bunny comes
Sunday: Wake the kids up to "Handel's Messiah", have a "Plan of Salvation Treasure Hunt" on Easter afternoon


I'm really excited for this week and I hope that my children get more out of Easter than just a stomach ache. I don't know that Easter is associated with Christ like Christmas is. After all, Christmas happened so that Easter could. And Easter happened so that we could all have eternal life. I think it's important to teach children that Christmas and Easter were both part of Christ's life and that each was important to our lives here on earth and our lives after. I hope you all have a happy Easter week!





Here is the recipe for Easter Cookies, even my 10 year old likes doing this activity.
You need:
1 C whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 Egg whites
pinch salt
1 C sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape and Bible


Preheat oven to 300 F. Place pecans in zipper bag and let children beat then with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 C sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and "seal" the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

On Easter Morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are Hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9

Christmas pics

Christmas Decorations

I love Christmas decorations!

It's official

All the gifts are wrapped, the kids are out of school, the cookie dough is made and the Christmas music ready! CHRISTMAS IS HERE!!

I've decided that I haven't had enough "moments" yet this season so I am going to do my best to spend some great, "moment inducing" time with my husband and children.

Everyone have a great pre-Christmas weekend. Deck your halls with Jingle Bells because Santa Clause is Coming to town. I hope you have an O Holy Night and that all is calm, all is bright. Stay bundled up because Baby It's Cold Outside and know that I wish you a Merry Christmas.

'Tis the Season

List of things to do today:

Finish scrap book pages
Put glaze on Chocolate Cheesecake Peppermint Bars for church party
Wrap gifts
Find a store somewhere within a 10 mile radius that still has celophane bags
Put together neighbor gifts
Deliver day 3 of the 12 days of Christmas
Make more chocolate cheesecake peppermint bars for cookie exchange next week


This day may not be possible

Which Reindeer are you?

Here's a fun little holiday diversion. Click on the link below to see which reindeer you are!! Here is my result. Right On!

You Are Prancer

You are the perfect reindeer, with perfect hooves and perfect flying form. Why You're Naughty: Because you're Santa's pet, and you won't let anyone show you up. Why You're Nice: You have the softest fur and the sweetest carrot breath.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?