Easter Mountain- New Family Tradition

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)"

Easter Weekend at Leroy

We drove to Leroy late Wednesday night after church to spend Easter weekend with the Cartee's.

Thursday we went to see cousin

Cooper's Baseball game.

Gue and Nixon watching the game!

Nixon said she will never play ball b/c ball is for boys!

I try to tell her that isn't true but she insists she is a ballerina.

Pop, Roman, and Isla

Cooper talking to Nixon during the game.

It was Roman's 1st time at the ball field but I have

a feeling we will be spending a lot of time there in the future!

Friday morning Gue and Pop had a birthday surprise for Isla!

Gue gave her Dora pajamas,

Dora snacks,

and she made her a Dora Birthday shirt for her party!

Nixon enjoyed Gue reading with her!

After we got dressed Isla and Roman enjoyed Easter lollipops!

Roman really liked his lollipop!

30 minutes later Roman still enjoying his lollipop!

We had to stick him in the tub after this!

The kids hung out with Gue outside while Jared and

Pop played golf and I worked.

Cousin Reid and Ellis came!

Reid and Nixon loved playing with Jared's old toys!

Gue, Jared and Isla

Missy Piggy aka Aunt Dee!

Isla took this picture of me, Deidre and Gue!

Aunt Dee and Isla

Oink! Oink!

The kids helped Gue make easter cookies!

Roman jetting around on Jared's old Big Wheel!

Gue kept all of Jared's old toys!

Our little artists coloring!

Isla and her Dora masterpiece!

I walked into the kitchen to find Nixon Grace helping

Gue wash the dishes!

What a BIG helper!

Aunt Alli and the boys came and brought

Isla another birthday surprise!

Time to Dye Eggs!!!

Roman's 1st time to dye eggs!

Of course he thought he should eat it!!!

Isla

Cooper

Dying Eggs wore Isla out!

Aunt Dee swinging with Isla and Ellis.

Nixon helped Aunt Alli and Gue finish all the eggs!

The Cartee Egg's!

The kids played outside for the rest of the evening!

Roman tackling Cooper!

Nixon even played tackle with boys. Although, I kept hearing

her ask Cooper if he wanted to play princess with her. :)

Looks like Roman is winning!

Isla playing all by herself like usual!

Reid, Nixon, and Cooper!

Tractor Train Ride!

Nixon and Reid rode in the wagon!

Pop held Ellis while Jared, Roman, Isla and Walker rode in the back!

Roman took this opportunity to catch a quick cat nap!

Cooper was the caboose!

While the others continued to play Roman decided it was time to eat!

He loved Gue's spaghetti and he discovered Gue's "Red Stuff" (Pretzel Salad) for the 1st time!

Outside the men and the children were having piggyback races!

Uncle Jim & Nixon, Walker & Reid,

Pop & Isla, Gabe & Tucker,

and Jared & Cooper!

Uncle Jim and Nixon Won!

Cooper saw how high he could climb in the tree!

Tuck Tuck playing!

Tucker and Isla

Cooper, Tucker and Isla playing in the monkey grass!

Finally everyone ate, bathed, and

were ready for bed!

Everyone needed a big night's

rest for tomorrow's busy day!

Nixon, Reid, and Isla ended the day

by watching the Veggie Tale Easter movie!

It was a great day of fun and family!