Easter Weekend

Here are a few randoms before I recap Easter weekend......
Look at all the goodies from Doodlebugs Paper. I just love how bright and cheerful her stuff is!

Daddy got his first turkey for the season.. the boys watch him get it ready to take a pic... I wonder what they are thinking...

They are getting too big too fast....

Easter Weekend~~~

started off Friday with the annual egg hunt at Mia's Nanna's house. This is a before pic of me trying to get all 3 kids. Funny

Hunting eggs... I think N went straight for the candy.

W found 2 lizards in his eggs which he loves. He even bathes with them.

If you notice the tear on his left cheek.. I think his eyes watered from the fierce winds.

My sweet KE.

This was KE's best friend's last weekend in town. She left today for her new home in St. Louis. I met her grandmother at the egg hunt. Afterwards, KE went with them to lunch and the dollar tree where they got lots of goodies. I picked the girls up to go see the Hannah Montana movie, dinner and then they had a slumber party at our house. Saturday, I let KE go with her to her church's Easter egg hunt and then after picking KE up, we all headed to Greenwood for an extended family get together and egg hunt.

After we returned from G'wood.. we stopped and saw W's best bud and gave him his birthday card! They were so excited to see each other. They are so cute

And finally, last night for the first time, we made Easter story cookies. This is such a valuable lesson that I will make a tradition every year in our home. The kids enjoyed it. The recipe is for you below as well.

You need:

1 c. whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

Pinch salt

1 c. sugar

Zipper baggie

Wooden spoon

Tape

Bible

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place the pecans in a zipper baggie and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar 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 the egg whites to the 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 that were shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add the 1 cup 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 Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 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 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 Matthew 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 Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in deep 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 Matthew 28: 1-9. HE HAS RISEN!