The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good:

New Easter Traditions. You can't pry me from my Easter best dresses and ties, this is what I got the kids this year...

(Not pictured is Isaac's black and white checked tie from Children's place that matches Mae's dress [on the right]... which I hope is still avail. because I haven't gotten it yet and I am still in search of a little black sweater to go over Liv's dress.)

At Ms. Valerie's house this Wednesday we got lots of fun ideas for celebrating Easter. My favorite, which we will start Saturday is this:

Easter Cookies

1 c whole pecans

1 tsp vinegar

2 egg whites

pinch of salt

1 c sugar

1 tsp vanilla

wooden spoon

masking tape

bible

ziploc baggie

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (this is important- don't wait until you're halfway done with the recipe).

Read John 19:1-3

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with a spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. [set aside the nuts to add later].

Read John 19:28-30

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross this is what was given to him to drink. *[Add the egg whites to the vinegar.] Eggs represent life. The resurrection will give us new life.

Read John 20:11

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

Read John 3:16-17 & John 15:12-13

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us and died for our sins. He wants us to know and belong to him.

Read John 19:40

Add the vanilla. Explain that they place fragrant spices in the linens in the tomb.

Read Isiah 1:18

Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed. [5-10 minutes] Explain the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Matthew 27:57-60

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto baking paper covered cookie sheet. Explain each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:66

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn off the oven. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Then Go To Bed! Explain 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 &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 20:1-18

[The account of Mary finding the tomb empty].

The Bad (or not so bad):

Read my last post. We need a break and we're not afraid to take one!

The Ugly:

I need (yet again) to reorganize my school things and find a better place for them. We've migrated upstairs since the sun came out and we don't enjoy fetching our supplies from the dungeon anymore. But, since I know this reorganization is coming I haven't done much cleaning of the basement and my m-i-law and niece are coming manana. bleh (not the visit, the cleaning). Do any of you have a magic wand?