We had quite the eventful week (check out our new animals we welcomed in here!) and Saturday ended with Stirling and I in the ER. So when I brought up Sunday service and they mentioned Palm Sunday, I panicked a little.
Not because I think the boys need a million activities or treats to make this time special, but I want them to grow up knowing why we celebrate these days and the history associated with them. We have quite a controversial view on the “big holidays” as we try not to fall into the materialism associated with Christmas and Easter. We also have chosen not to celebrate with Santa or the Easter bunny.
Unfortunately, that decision makes finding holiday activities a little difficult sometimes. Combing Pinterest Sunday morning led me to a small selection of printables. We’ve also been watching this Easter Week series on YouTube every morning (there are 8 of them!) You can find that here!
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Palm Sunday
We watched our church’s kid’s program online together and then gathered at the dining room table for some fun crafts and scripture reading. They had a coloring page and decorated their palm branches with cut out pieces of green paper. (You can find that free printable here!)
We read Matthew 21:1-11 and talked about the meaning behind the word Hosanna and why they called out, “Hosanna in the Highest!”.
Maundy Thursday
I’m planning a big sit down supper for the four of us. Following dinner, we’ll wash each other’s feet and discuss how this humble act of service. The whole point of this is to show the boys the importance of loving and serving each other.
I had no idea why it was called Maundy Thursday until I began looking up ideas to teach and share with the boys. Maundy is the shorten version of the latin Manatam (command).
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another”
John 13:34
Good Friday
I’ve been working on a “Resurection Garden” for the boys. We’ll discuss the importance of the price that was paid for our sins and show the boys the “tomb” with a rock covering the entrance. (It’s still a work in progress! Hopefully Stirling and I will make three crosses out of sticks add in.)
The whole garden was made from things we had laying around the yard, some searching in the woods, and I found some tiny violets growing in our front landscaping I transplanted in.
Easter
This morning we will take communion at home with our fellow church members online. After service, the boys will get to go outside and check out the Resurrection Garden, where they’ll find the stone has rolled away and the tomb is empty!
I haven’t decided if we’ll have an Easter egg hunt or not. We have plenty of eggs from our chickens! I really loved the idea of making birdseed Easter eggs for the boys to hide around the yard for the birds instead, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make that happen in time!
Easter Baskets
I DO get them Easter baskets, normally with a healthy treat, books, and a special toy. With the Social Distancing and Shelter at Home orders, I wanted to make even more of an effort this year to find low waste, inexpensive, but fun things for the boys to enjoy.
I have a friend who makes these beautiful, handwoven baskets. These turned out lovely! And we will definitely use them every year.
To fill the baskets, I decided to go an easy route and cut some of our long patches of grass down and let dry in the green house. (It will then be given to the rabbits once Easter is over!) You could also use dried leaves as an alternative for the plastic “grass” filler!
(This rice knife is amazing for weeding, cutting large batches of herbs, or grass away from sensitive plants!)
Bryce and I have been making these threading games for the boys. I’ll tie the “worm” to the hole in the top with some twine for them to thread throughout the apple! They will also get some chocolate chip muffins, wooden crosses to paint, and a bag full of popcorn!
What are your traditions for Easter? I’d love to hear some of your memories from your childhood!