Easter Experiences

Jillian was highly enthusiastic about Easter this year. When we went to the Easter Eggstravaganza at school last weekend, she kind of blew me away with the detail in which she knew about the Biblical events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection as she piped up throughout the story a teacher was trying to share with her group (Jillian pretty much took over). Additionally, they apparently talked about a story at school that related to a Benjamin Box, which was about a little boy who put together a box of things that represented Easter. I didn't know this when Jillian came to me one morning last week with her own version of a Benjamin Box, and I was pretty amazed at how she had compiled symbols of the story into an empty wipe box. She implored me to sit down right away and hear her tell the story.

See that cow finger puppet? You probably won't recognize him, but that's Jesus. Judas is on the left as represented by a hippo.

Some of the items.

Jesus, Judas, and the lineup of disciples

This is Jesus carrying his cross.

And here he is in "the tube" (yep, tomb), which is a doll shoe. That black hairband on top of him is the stone that covered "the tube"

It's very important to know that some time went by, hence the hourglass timer

Back in the box, ready to take to school for show and tell (the show and tell requirement of last week was "Something that reminds you of Easter")







Given her expressed enthusiasm for the holiday, I thought it would be good to take her to Good Friday service. So, she and I had a special date where just the two of us went together. She sat with me in the "grown-up church" and it was so neat to experience this through her eyes. She got so excited when we sang a song that we listen to frequently at home (mostly in practice for me to sing it at Bible study) because she knew the words and could sing along with everyone. Part of this service included communion, and as we waited for the bread and juice to be passed to us, I asked Jillian if she understood what was going on. She replied that she did, and I gave her the option of participating. She wanted to partake in communion, so I let her. After we left we talked about the significance of that and she seemed to feel really proud of herself and happy about being a part of communion. Then she admitted that she was scared at first because she thought I was asking her to drink a "grown up drink" (wine) before she tasted it and realized it was grape juice. Cute stuff.




Today we enjoyed the day as a family. We did Easter baskets and an indoor hunt (thanks to rain) right away, went to church at 11, ate leftovers for lunch, and took a "rest" with an Easter movie. We dyed eggs after rest time (big round of applause to Grandpa and Debbie for sending the plastic dyeable eggs--awesome idea!), had a brisket dinner, and went to bed early because of sugar-induced crankiness. A few (OK, a lot) of pics.....

Discovering jelly beans inside an egg. Yes, this Easter Bunny places items into Ziplocks before sealing them in eggs. Don't judge my germophobia, just marvel at the brilliance of the idea--no jellybeans spilling all over the floor!

Oh boy! Our first Cadbury eggs. Daddy had been talking them up for awhile

Trying to be sneaky. I caught this kid twice today shoving marshmallows and candy into her mouth. And then there was the incident of the jellybean binging as she hid in the pantry last week...

I sent this pic to Grandma, as I knew she'd be excited about our Easter centerpiece. It was Matt's when he was young, and I think Grandma Helen gave it to him. Grandma gave it to us when Jillian was born because she knew Matt always loved it so much.

These little ceramic chicks are in danger. The girls can't keep their hands off them.

Ready for church

Is it a hug, or are we trying to strangle our sister? 

Daddy is loved!

Daddy is pretty enthralled by these fake dyeable eggs

The only problem? They don't sink in the dye, and required a bit of help.

The magic crayon was pretty exciting to Jillian

Pretty pleased with herself

Thank you Trader Joe's for selling my very favorite flower in abundance and at such an awesome price. We will be covering our home in tulips as long as they carry them like this. Gorgeous!

Is it a tool to hold an egg? 

Nope. Definitely a spy glass.

Dad is full of fun--now we are dyeing fingers!

Not sure about this hue

The highlight of the egg dyeing for A was using the "blue" dryer to shrink the decorative plastic wraps on a few eggs.