Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Family Tree



We have been rearranging our house in preparation for our coming daughter, and in doing so needed to relocate a set of vinyl wall jungle stickers. All the animals went to the baby's room, but I had a palm tree left over. We decided to put it in the new playroom. I got thinking about family trees and how the girls have been into identifying people. So the idea was merged. I pulled out my large hole punch and started punching familiar faces out of extra photos I have around the house. I got some Velcro with sticky backs to put on the wall and photos. And now the girls can move people around and have fun naming them. This is really helping them identify people they don't often see. It's interesting to see how they choose to rearrange the pictures and how they start establishing which people 'go together'.

Easter Eggs

The past several months have been quite exhausting around here with raising twin toddlers and growing a little one in my belly. Creativity has been on the back burner as a result. Getting so close to the end has me running especially slow and avoiding getting out of the house most days.

I decided to try and draw on some of that creativity again and find some fun ideas online. Easter is quickly approaching, and with it comes lots of talk of bunnies and eggs.

My first thought went to merging eggs and Jesus. Not a new idea, as I'm sure many of you have heard of resurrection eggs. I did some research online and found several good resources on making my own set. This may become a project for next year in our house, but I thought I'd share my findings.

**Also below, some Easter egg stuffing ideas for general Easter baskets.

RESURRECTION EGGS
Purchase 12 small plastic Easter eggs from Walmart or the Family Dollar. Make sure they will fit inside of a regular egg carton. Number them 1 through 12.

Use a left over egg carton. If you still have eggs inside the carton - just put them into a large bowl for safe keeping.

Place the item listed below into each egg. You can also put the scripture reference - or you can tell the story from memory.

Once all the eggs are filled - you can begin telling the story.

Egg #1:
Message -- Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.
Passage -- Matthew 21:1-11
Item -- Piece of palm branch. Another option for those of you with extra Lego parts or plastic novelty beads would be to place a small plastic leaf in the egg.

Egg #2:
Message -- Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
Passage -- John 12:2-8
Item -- Small perfume sample or cloth with perfume or a piece of cotton with cologne on it.

Egg #3:
Message -- Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Passage -- Matthew 26:17-19
Item – A piece of Chex cereal; or take clay and make a small bread-like shape.

Egg #4:
Message -- Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Passage -- Matthew 27:3
Item -- 3 dimes or plastic “silver” money

Egg #5:
Message -- Jesus carried His own cross.
Passage -- John 19:17
Item – Toothpicks or Popsicle stick cut and glued in a cross form; or, a small plastic cross from a Christmas ornament or necklace.

Egg #6:
Message -- Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
Passage -- John 19:2
Item -- Small thorny branch, or a large thorn all by itself.

Egg #7:
Message -- Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
Passage -- John 19:23
Item -- Swatch of burlap and a nail. I’ve also seen miniature dice used for this one.

Egg #8:
Message -- Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
Passage -- John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
Item -- A nail.

Egg #9:
Message -- They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Passage -- Matthew 27:34
Item -- A small sponge.

Egg #10:
Message -- Spices to prepare Jesus for burial.
Passage -- John 19:40
Item -- 7 or 8 whole cloves, or other whole spices.

Egg #11:
Message -- The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
Passage -- John 20:1
Item -- A small rock.

Egg #12:
Message: The tomb is empty. He has risen!
Passage: Luke 24:6.
Item: Nothing


Easter Egg Stuffers - other than candy:
  • hair bows
  • bouncy balls
  • fake tattoos
  • stickers
  • coins
  • dress up jewelry
  • rings
  • pretty stones
  • finger puppets - look for printables online
  • doll clothes (barbie size)