This Easter I looked for ways to really teach the girls the true meaning of Easter. I came across on my favorite blog girltalk this free downloadable book by Noel Piper Treasuring God in Our Traditions. It is a wonderful resource on how to bring God into our traditions and the importance of family traditions. I strongly encourage you check it out! (especially if you have young kids)
I chose to do to the Easter Mountain with my girls because it recommended it was great for teaching toddlers the Easter story. It is very hands-on and visual. I also liked how it was very detailed on what happened every day of Holy Week.
Unfortunately, we went to Leroy late Wednesday night and about 30 minutes out I realized I had forgot the Easter Mountain. Jared turned around but it was already so late we decided we could just read the girls the stories for the next couple of days. Basically, Jesus had to die on the cross Saturday night at our house! :)
Making an Easter Mountain
Making the Dough
4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. salt
1 Tbs. oil
Mix ingredients and knead. Add small amounts of
water as needed until the texture is right.
Mountain
1. Use two backyard sticks bound together
with twine to make a cross about five or six inches
tall.
2. Shape the whole lump of play dough into a
mountain. The size will be determined by the volume
of your play dough. Leave an opening on one side
into the “cave” that will represent the tomb, using
your fist or a soup can to hold the space open.
3. Press the cross into the top of the
mountain to form a hole deep enough to stand the
cross in. Make the hole a bit larger than the
actual stick circumference because the hole will
get smaller as the mountain bakes. Set the cross
aside.
4. Twist toothpicks into the dough or press
fork tines randomly around on the hill to make
“footholds” for chenille stick people.
5. Press the rock that will cover the tomb
against the opening, to shape a better fit. Set
the stone aside.
6. Bake at 250° for four to five hours. When
cooled, color as desired with paint or markers
Sunday the girls made the Easter Mountain
As you can see they 1st made a HUGE mess!
Nixon and Isla were throwing flour at each other
yelling "Snowball fight! Snowball fight!"
We tried again to mix the dough.
After we baked the mountain, I let the girls decide what color to paint the mountain. Of course they chose PINK!
I think this might be the 1st time Jesus's tomb has been pink!
Jared created the character's of the Easter story out of pipe cleaners.
(and yes he was deathly ill at the time)
Sunday
Triumph Entry
Luke 19:35-40
The girls had leaves prepared for Jesus to enter!
We found a donkey in the playroom for Jesus to ride!
The girls also decided Jesus would be purple
b/c purple was the color for a King! :)
Isla's favorite part was waving the leaves yelling "Praise god! Praise god!"
MONDAY
Jesus Cleansed the Temple!
Matthew 21:12-13
The girls had alot of fun this day!
Isla and I had the people selling things in the temple.
(we used a Little People table and some pennies)
Nixon was angry Jesus who came in and turned the tables over!
I read today's passages to the girls. ( Jared still sick)
We discussed how God's house
was a house of prayer, worship and teaching.
Tuesday
Jesus Cries Over Jerusalem
Matthew 23:37-39
(no pics)
Wednesday
Silence
Thursday
Last Supper
Matthew 26:26-29
Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-40
(we left the mountain in PC)
Friday (Saturday for us)
Jesus Crucified
Matthew 27:35-50
Buried 27:57-60
Jared read the passages about Jesus being crucified.
Jesus hung on the cross.
Jesus Buried.
Nixon has been begging to put Jesus in the tomb all week.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb of our Lord.
Easter Morning!
Jesus's Resurrection
Matthew 28:1-7
Even though we had a few bumps along the way, I know the girls truly know the real meaning of Easter. Sunday afternoon we were all eating our chocolate bunnies (yes, I stoled Roman's) and Nixon looked at me and said,
"Mommy, Easter is not about chocolate and bunnies
it is about Jesus and him dying for my skins (sins)"
Aww, this is neat Julia! I will have to check out that book. I love Nixon's quote at the end... I know it made you feel good that she understands!
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