Easter

On Friday we decorated our Easter eggs. Selena was so excited that she could actually do most of the decorating by herself. I wanted to do so much more and try some of the different decorating techniques I have seen all week but our weather suddenly changed and we actually have had above average temperatures and lots of sun so we spent most of the time outside.

I have no fun Easter pictures to share this year. It seems that at some point during the night Selena woke up and raided her Easter basket and found almost all the hidden eggs while Papa and I were sound asleep. I woke at 4:30 to find an empty Easter basket and a pile of already opened Easter eggs. When Selena finally got up about 7:30 she began to cry and sob since all the fun was already over and she realized there would be no Easter pictures for this year.

We had ham, potato salad, baked beans and pineapple for dinner, which was very yummy. Selena spent most of the day outside in the beautiful weather. We still ended up having a very nice Easter, though I did miss Church, but Selena just couldn’t stop sobbing and crying over spoiling her own Easter fun, so we opted out of Church.

B is for Bunny

 

There has been one buddy that Selena has had since her very first Easter, Hoppy is his name, and that is the most fitting name since after all he is a bunny. He has been at her side every night when she has gone to bed, through all the new and scary experiences that she has had to face, and sometimes he suddenly appears out of no where in our school, you know he has to learn too.

Hoppy has traveled with Selena near and far, every car ride we have ever taken, Hoppy has been our precious little traveler. He gives Selena so much love and a sense of security to get her through anything.

Hoppy has been at Selena’s side through bad hair days and loving cuddly times.

We’ve wrote stories about Hoppy as well as taught him about geography. Hoppy is truly a big part of our family.

As you can see Hoppy is a very cute now very old bunny but he has not lost his place in our home. I turn often to discover this bunny watching me as I cook, clean, or hiding in a blanket I pick up. Believe me we have had several times of “Where is Hoppy?” You know bunnies like to hide!

With Easter coming this next Sunday, and I know children are talking about the Easter Bunny coming, I truly wanted to share the Real Easter Bunny with all of you, no not hoppy though he does fit the description very well, but the following Real Easter Bunny:

A Real Easter Bunny:

• Has big ears that are quick to listen (James 1:19)
• Is white as snow because Jesus takes all sin away (Isaiah 1:18)
• Has big eyes to look carefully and choose what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
• Has no voice for complaining or arguing (Phil 2:13)
• Is gentle, kind-hearted and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32)
• Reveals hidden things to little children (Matthew 11:25)
• Has quick feet to go tell others Jesus’ teachings (Mathew 28:18-20)

Enjoy this special week and all the excitement of Easter, but I pray you all remember the real reason for Easter, and teach about the Real Easter Bunny. Though the children’s version of the Easter Bunny is just as fun and truly when we think of it he even matches the Real Easter Bunny pretty well.

Easter Preparations

Yesterday morning Selena and I decided it was time to get the Easter eggs decorated and pull out some decorations. I love how kids always look so amazed and over whelmed as the eggs change color.

Selena carefully checked each egg to see if it was the shade she wanted. We had four extra eggs so her and I had fun experimenting with putting them in different colors just to find out what we would get. We got some pretty interesting patterns and colors.

We then set up all the decorations that I pulled out and displayed them in the center of our table. Selena had forgot most of the decorations so it was like magic to her to see everything. I guess one year can make a huge difference in what we remember and what we don’t. She totally forgot about my snow globe. She loved the music it played and watching all the different colors flitter down through the water.

We hope everyone has a Happy Easter!

So Not Ready For Easter

This is about as close to Easter colors you are seeing in my house so far this year. Easter has snuck up on us so quickly that I haven’t even pulled out any of my Easter decorations. While my ham is already purchased waiting to be baked for our Easter dinner, we’ve yet to even color any Easter eggs. Believe it or not I haven’t even purchased Selena’s Easter dress or anything for an Easter basket. Well, I take that back we already told her that the rest of the equipment we purchased for T-Ball is her Easter.

On another note though I did interview a very nice young lady today for an occasional babysitter. I wish we would have found her earlier, I really was impressed and Selena really liked her. She is a Senior in High School with plans on going off to college next fall. She even babysits over night. At least we will get to have her babysit for us until she leaves. I already asked if she has any friends who might be interested in babysitting after she leaves to let me know. I felt very comfortable when I found out she babysits for quite a few acquaintances. Papa and I are looking forward to dinner out this Saturday.

I am sure Selena and I will get the place ready for Easter before Sunday, including some Easter crafts and egg decorating. I am sure we will have the plastic eggs hid for Selena to find when she wakes up on Sunday morning, and we will attend Easter Service. We will share all that we do soon. 

Our Easter

Selena woke up and found the first egg before anyone else could climb out of bed. From there it was a mad dash between her and Pal to see who could find the most eggs. I am not kidding, Pal was as much into the Easter egg fun as Selena was. He only got two, but they kept him happy as he pushed and chased them around the living room.

Selena’s loot from our Easter egg hunt. She found a total of $4.00 hidden inside her Easter eggs, which immediately went into her piggy bank. Then she turned around and had yet another Easter egg hunt at church, those eggs were filled with candy though. Since it was raining, after such a beautiful Saturday, all the Easter festivities had to take place inside.

I know I gave you all a tease to Selena’s Easter dress. You have all asked for pictures, I know you wanted to see pictures of her and I together, sorry that did not happen this morning. By the time we got all the fun stuff done, took phone calls of Happy Easter wishes from both of Selena’s parents, and finally was able to get ready for church, I barely got these two pictures snapped of Selena before we left home.

Selena looked so grown up this morning. I just couldn’t believe my eyes of how this simple dress made her look so grown up.

At church all the kids participated in the introduction of the Elements of Easter. Selena got to carry the loaf of bread to the front and place it ever so gently on the display table. We chuckled so hard at times during service, as Pastor would ask questions through his sermon, and each time Selena would raise her hand as if she had all the answers. Before long she was repeating in a whisper word for word everything Pastor was saying. She now must have the pew bible or her own if she remembers to take it, and she follows along word for word the bible reading. I just love to hear her sing out in the songs.

We came home and I started our Easter dinner. I made potato salad, baked beans and our first BBQ hamburgers of the season. Michael asked me what was one thing that I thought we should buy for Easter for all of us, and I didn’t have to think twice, I wanted a new BBQ. I spent Saturday morning putting it together while Michael chased Selena around the yard. Yummy those hamburgers tasted very dandy.

We hope that all of you had a very fun and Happy Easter like we did, rather you traveled and spent time with family, had family come in to your home, with friends, or like us just a simple family Easter.

Easter Basket Fun

I did something a little different for Selena’s Easter basket this year. I happened to be up at our local store getting the last of the groceries we needed for our Easter dinner. I hadn’t really put an Easter basket together yet, since we let Selena pick out a new blanket for her bed, a night gown and a new outfit. I just figured we would have an Easter egg hunt and hide some candies and money in the plastic eggs. Well, I came around the corner to discover these in the floral section. I ran through the store and picked out some little ponies, candies, and a prickles ball, then for $6.98 the florist arranged them all in this huge balloon. Not knowing where I would hide it out of Selena’s site until morning, I told her I had ran into the Easter bunny at the store and he asked me to give this to her now, since it would be too hard for him to carry with all the other baskets in the morning without it popping. He did however promise to visit her in the morning.

The only real problem was she couldn’t figure out how she was suppose to get everything out. We teased her and told her that maybe she isn’t suppose to take it out. Now she knew better then that, she knew the Easter bunny wouldn’t be that mean to her. She waited very patiently until after we had dinner, then she couldn’t contain her self anymore. I untied all the ribbons and undid the balloon, knowing fully well what was going to happen.

Now are you ready for Selena’s reaction to this sight. I should make you wait for it and be truly mean. I won’t though, I will tell you this though that the tears poured, she sobbed, and informed me that I had ruined her Easter, because now she couldn’t get any of her toys or candy.

Yes, that is right she is truly crying, not because we opened the balloon, but because it shrank down like shrink wrap. We quickly remedied this with a pair of scissors. The tears stopped and she was all joyful again to retrieve her toys and candy from within the balloon. Will I do this again? You bet you I will, it was fun, exciting, and very unique.

 

Happy Easter! 

 

Coloring Easter Eggs

Last night we started the process of coloring our Easter Eggs. After they were boiled and while still hot I rolled some of them in shaved crayon. I got this idea from another blog, but by the time I tried to go back and find the blog, I couldn’t remember where it was nor could I find it. If this was your idea please let me know.

I think if I were ever to use the crayons like this again though I would set the eggs in a rack and pour the crayons over them, then let them melt down the sides. The eggs were very hot, and I couldn’t find the right supplies to really handle them. We then had to let them cool before we could go any further. Selena was disapointed to have to wait, so I treated to her very first Root Beer Float. At first she informed me “No way am I eating that ice cream after you have put pop on it.” My granddaughter can not stand the taste of pop of any flavor.

It wasn’t long though that I persuaded her to give it a try. She discovered it tasted pretty good. She even liked the flavor of the pop after the ice cream had dissolved a bit into it, but she still refused to drink it. I then decided we would finish coloring the eggs first thing in the morning.

Selena was pretty excited when she got up this morning and we began the process to finish our eggs.

Just a few pictures of the ones that we really liked.

Now she is anxious to show Papa when he gets home. She actually woke up at 3:00 a.m. as she got a little chilly, it was cold last night. I got up and got her another blanket, when she looked into our bedroom to discover that Papa wasn’t home, she sobbed so hard. It didn’t take me long to calm her and get her back to sleep. I am with her about it being time for Papa to come home.

MaryAnne at Mama Smiles, directed me to her post where she decorated their eggs like this. I am pretty sure this is where I got the idea, so head on over and see her beautiful Easter eggs here.

Play Rehearsal

On Tuesday evening we took Selena over to our Pastor’s house where they had the first rehearsal for the Palm Sunday play. The kids were running around being goofy before rehearsal started, just plain having fun.

Rehearsal itself went great and Selena even got another line to learn. She will be saying “Bye Jesus, Bye!” Now I have to make her costume! After rehearsal, Carrie, the Pastor’s wife had a surprise for the kids.

Can you guess what Selena is running for? What do you think it could be?

Here is another hint….do you see it hidden away there in the daffodils?

An Easter egg hunt!! The kids had a blast finding all the Easter eggs, some had candy while others were empty. Selena always has such a good time and so much fun with the children from church.

We as homeschoolers hear so many times the question concerning socialization. I truly was very proud of Selena while with the other kids. The boys were making fun of her and teasing her since she had her hoppy (bunny rabbit) with her. They took it away from her and was really trying to get her goat. Selena just grinned, and turned around to play with the girls. She could care less what the boys were doing or saying, it didn’t even bother her that they had hoppy. The boys finally gave up on their game and just came up and handed Selena her hoppy, she thanked them, dropped hoppy on the ground as if to say, “See I don’t need him as bad as you think I do,” and continued to laugh, giggle and play. The fact that she was able to not let the boys get her goat, pretty much just ignore them was so much assurance to Papa and myself, that Selena does have everything she needs, including other friends. Just so you don’t get the wrong picture of the boys, they are not mean boys and play with Selena very well, this was just one of those moments, where given the opportunity to do a little fun teasing, they took advantage of it. They truly were not trying to be mean nor rude towards Selena, I know it was all in fun, but she sure got them.

Happy Easter

This Easter has started out to be a very exciting Easter and probably one of the best Easter Day we’ve had with Selena. Easter here tends to be cold, rainy and/or rainy. While it is cold and wet outside, and Selena is fighting a cold, there was so much excitement in the air.

Selena really did not anticipate a visit from the Easter Bunny, we just didn’t talk about it before even though she had her picture taken with him. She just shook and gleamed with joy when she found her little basket. The little lamb above says Happy Easter and it’s cheeks light up.

Rather then a lot of toys or candy, we always stuff her plastic eggs with coins and a dollar or two. This year she got a 5 dollar bill and some loose change.

She was so excited it truly was hard to get good pictures. She was just shaking and moving through so fast.

Her largest gift was two hidden picture books, one Elmo and the other Disney Princess. They stuck up from her tiny basket, but she was so excited with everything else that they were the last thing she found, and then at that we had to point them out to her.

Then of course we had an Easter Egg hunt. This is the only picture I got of this as Selena was running around the house so fast that it was hard to keep up with her.

Now off to celebrate the true meaning of Easter, for surely

HE HAS RISEN.