Thursday, April 2, 2009

Preparing for Easter

One of my new goals is to be more purposeful in what I do. Making the best decisions I can as I educate these children. Choosing activities that widen their world. Exposing them to truths of God's word. Encouraging them to develop their personalities.

This year we decided to observe Lent (the weeks before Easter). Rather than just thinking of this as a time to "give something up" (which in fact we have all given up a favorite special food), we have used it as a time to prepare our hearts for this season. I wanted to share some of what we are doing as a family. First off, we are reading the Purpose Driven Life (which should take 40 days). I thought that would be a good book since it is designed to be done in 40 days (which is about the length of Lent). It has been a great book to read and discuss as a family each night. And even though it may be geared for adults, it is still applicable to kids.

Then each day after we are done reading the chapter in the book, we choose an activity. I had printed out a list of Lenten activities that I had down loaded from Homeschool Freebie of the Day (HERE). Each day is a different activity that the kids "draw" from and we do the suggestion (I cut the list up into strips and put them in an envelope). Some of the ideas might be to read an extra Bible passage, or an Easter related book, act out the parade on Palm Sunday, sing an Easter related song, or maybe a craft.

Our favorites have been the crafty ones. One night we talked about Jesus being the lamb of God and we made a lamb craft out of cotton balls.Aren't these lambs sweet? Chucked helped come up with the idea of how to make them.
Another night the craft idea was to make a poster or picture that said "He is Risen" or "Our Redeemer Lives". On that night, Chuck's parents were here and participated in our craft time. Everyone had a different idea and each one turned out great.
We decided to use construction paper instead of markers or crayons. And it was Chuck's idea to rip the paper for the craft instead of cutting it.
I find it really helps to have lots of craft making supplies on hand and ready to go for things like this. Chuck had neat Easter songs that he found on You Tube playing in the background. It really was a fun evening. Again, being purposeful in our family activities.
The back of our front door is a great place to display our art. I love all the different designs. And it looks so springy around here with all these crafts on display.

18 comments:

Crystal said...

How fun!! Can we come over for craft time sometime: ) My daughters have the same dress from Land's End that Tissy has on. YOur family is so beautiful,you are blessed!!!

Ginny said...

I love all the wonderful activities you do! Catholics "give something up" during Lent as a way to prepare their hearts for Easter. By giving up something that is difficult, every time I am faced with the temptation of whatever that thing is, I am reminded of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross which helps me to make my own little sacrifice for him. So in that way, through my little sacrifices, I am preparing my heart and trying to make it more like His. I think it is wonderful to do special Lenten activities with your children during this time as well!

Karen said...

I love your ideas and passion! Beautiful and meaningful artwork! Great job girls :)

K-Sue said...

It's good to have a window into what's going on with your family. Thanks for sharing.

Lea Whittaker said...

What a great idea. Such great memories and teaching times for the girls that they will carry with them always. You are a great motivator and mentor!

Tiffany said...

I LOVE the posters! We will definitely be doing this this week sometime. It just hit me yesterday that Easter is in a week!

crispy said...

Actually Ginny, I forgot to mention that part. We did all choose to give up something this year for Lent. And it has been a good reminder for that same reason. The idea that this little sacrifice is something so small and Christ's sacrifice was so amazing.

And let's just say...I have been tempted a few times to swing by a Starbucks and indulge, but...no coffee for me.

Julie said...

Beautiful!

Jennifer Y. said...

The poster idea is wonderful! My girls would love to do those. I think I'm going to have them make a poster next week. What a great idea.

Tonya said...

Crispy, You are SERIOUSLY one of the COOLEST Mama's on the PLANET! SERIOUSLY. I LOVE all that you do to "train up your child(ren)". Your girls are obviously SO VERY SMART and you can see the LOVE for each other in your pictures. (They look like they get along so well!)

Man, I've missed so much by not checking in here for so long. I keep saying I'm looking for balance, but it is YET to come!
O=-)

Oh, I read over your blog before I commented... I also LOVE your new home. It's ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Elle J said...

This brought a smile to my face seeing your family so close. You are planting great seeds for your girls. I enjoy reading your blog and learning from you! :)

Annie said...

Those artworks on the door are BEAUTIFUL!

Cindy said...

You always do such wonderful things-I love that Chuck's parents participated in the activities! Great job with all the crafts!

Anonymous said...

What AWESOME posters! You guys did a fabulous job!

My favorite part of this post is seeing Chuck in all of the pictures. I love how he's right beside the girls, participating as they are doing their crafts. It's so wonderful that you're all together again.

Chuck Peters said...

I love craft time. =) It reminds me of art in grade school (one of my favorite subjects!) -- I think that making some form of meaningful art is an awesome way to get kids (and adults) to think about the idea or concept they are illustrating. While making art for the sake of making art is fine... I personally love making art that is motivated by meaning. -- What I love most about our posters is how, even though we al had the exact same instructions & materials, we all did something uniquely different. Too fun.

Smith Schoolhouse said...

you are such a fun mom! And I love the posters- they are all beautiful.

Marilyn said...

What a fun time we had making those posters. It was like an old fashion family get together. The interaction we all had with our talk and laughs was so great. It cannot be captured on paper...but greatly highlighted in our hearts.

Sorry I'm back home again. Miss you!

Love you....
Chuck's Mom

Tim and Susan said...

The crafts are really adorable. I am sure the girls are having a blast being creative and decorateing for spring-Easter.

We have the little plastic Easter eggss in Japan with something in each one and then you read a little devotional with each (like the little crown of thorn, nails, etc.) There is 12 of them so you start about 2 weeks before Easter and try to do it each day.
This year we also are making a cross from our Christmas tree. We trimmed the branches so we just had the trunk and then cut it in 2 pieces, 1 longer than the other for the base, the other piece is the bar across. Cool, huh? (usally we can't do this because we have a fake tree)