Wanted to share a few tips as you get ready for Easter!
Tip #1:
In everything point them to Jesus.
When my kids were little, I loved putting together their Easter Baskets. I would head to the local Christian Bookstore and find a book, board game, toys, or a new Veggie Tale video...anything that pointed them to Jesus.
As teens, it was a devotional, CD, book, jewelry, or a new Bible. Once adults(if they were still living at home), it was maybe a devotional or book and a gift card to Starbucks (wish I could still support them, but just can't.) And always candy! Always!
Tip #2:
Enjoy the hustle and bustle.
A typical Easter weekend with little ones would roll something like this:
Go to the grocery store, mall, and Christian Bookstore and head home.
Unload the car, make a 2-layer carrot cake, and dough for Cinnamon Rolls.
Get the kids new Easter outfits ready for the morning. For my 3 girls there was an ensemble of a new dress, hat, white gloves, socks with lace trim, and a purse (Oh my heart!)
Dig through the attic to find Easter Baskets and hope they contained last year's shiny green grass because I forgot to buy more.
Make dinner, give baths, put curlers in the girl's hair, and put kids to bed.
Roll out the dough and make cinnamon rolls.
Icing the cake and put in fridge.
Fill the Easter baskets and hide them all over the house for a treasure hunt.
Write out 4 to 5 clues and tape to doors, walls, inside cabinets, wherever!
Set the table with China for Easter Morning Tea.
Go to bed exhausted, wondering what hubby and I were going to wear!
Tip #3:
Carve out a little time to just be.
On Easter morning I would wake the kids around 7:00 AM as we had to be at church by 9:00. Alyssa, the oldest, would read the clues and they would race off to the next one. Finally, the last clue would say, "Go find your baskets!" I loved to hear doors open and close, kids running from room to room in search of their basket! And really hoping I didn't get the Easter baskets mixed up as I was known to do!
After the baskets were found and dug through, we would gather at the table for Easter Tea which consisted of Cinnamon Rolls and hot tea with lots of cream and sugar. We would pray and thank the Lord for all He hath done and enjoy a little family time to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.
Tip #4:
Take lots of pictures!
And last year? Well, they all came home for Easter Morning Tea before church and some candy! No Easter baskets. Instead, a two-tiered tray filled with candy and some party bags for them to fill.
I will never regret the hectic Easter weekends of years gone by. They were worth every minute, and I hope you too can enjoy all the fun to be had while pointing your little ones to Christ.
Do you have any tips for me and my readers? What do you do with your littles and how do you transition when they are grown and/or out of the house? I would love to know! Just leave a comment and I'll share!
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Crystal
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