Fancy Ponytail

Special Easter Egg Hunt

Hide the eggs. Have a basket sitting in the middle of the room or yard. Tell the kids to find the eggs and bring them back to the basket. When all the eggs are found, have everyone sit down. Read each egg in order. This will help the children understand the true meaning of Easter.

One: When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people waved branches because that’s what people used to do when a king walked by.

Two: Later, Jesus had a special dinner with his friends. A woman came and poured perfume on his head. This showed that she knew that he was the Christ and she knew that he would die soon. (have kids smell the perfume on the cloth)

Three: The next day, Jesus had another special meal with his friends. We call this The Last Supper. This is when the sacrament began, because Jesus said that people who followed Him should have bread and wine or water to help them remember Him.

Four: Jesus went to a garden to pray. Here, he suffered for our sins. Because He did this for us, we can repent and live in heaven again.

Five: Judas was supposed to be one of Jesus’ special helpers, but instead he helped other men arrest Jesus. He did this because those men paid him money.

Six: After Jesus was arrested, the soldiers were really mean to Him and made fun of Him. One thing that they did was to put a purple robe on Him. Only kings wore purple robes. They didn’t realize that He really was a King and they were just teasing Him because people thought He was a king!

Seven: Jesus was crucified on a cross.

Eight: When the soldiers put Jesus on the cross, they pounded nails into His hands and feet.

Nine: Another thing the soldiers did to make fun of Jesus was to put a sign on the cross that said “THE KING OF THE JEWS?” Again, they thought they were making fun of Him and they didn't realize that He really was the King of the Jews!

Ten: After Jesus died, His friends put his body in a tomb. Later, some of the women who followed Him came to the tomb to put spices on His body. That was something they did back then when someone died.

Eleven: The tomb had a rock that could roll over the opening to seal it. While the women were walking to the tomb, they wondered how they would get the stone out of the way.

Twelve: When they got to the tomb, they were amazed to find that the stone had been rolled out of the way and Jesus’ body was gone! Then an angel came and told them, “He is risen; he is not here” (Mark 16:66). This egg is empty because Jesus’ tomb was empty. Jesus’ tomb was empty because He was resurrected!

Criss Cross Baby

Gift Idea

My mom gave each grandchild this for Christmas:

You can buy the book and cat at Barnes and Nobel. What you won't get is the darling little cupcake attached to the cat. My mom made the cupcakes and sewed them on. Clever.

How To Organize Puzzles

Before Organizing:
Puzzle pieces were very difficult to find. My son usually made a huge mess by dumping the container over to find the right pieces. Most of the time he gave up.

How I Organized:
I took a black permanent marker and numbered all the puzzles. (on the back)

Then I labeled baggies with the same numbers. I also added the type of puzzle it is and how many pieces go to it.

After Organizing:
Now it's easy to play with the puzzles and pieces don't get lost.
P.S. We have a One Puzzle At A Time rule at our house.

-Presentation Is Everything-

Make eating fun with bite size food and toothpicks.

Cocoa Krispie Turkeys

Krispies
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Ready-To-Eat Cereal Cocoa Krispies

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add Cocoa Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Place large spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool for a minute (or more).
4. Form into balls.
5. Decorate with candy corn (beak), fruit loops (feathers), sunbursts (eyes)and gummy worms (snood).
6. Enjoy!

Making Cookies

Making cookies with kids can sometimes be stressful. I found that if you prepare before they even enter the kitchen it can be an enjoyable and fun experience. I measure out each ingredient and put them into individual bowls. Then the kids can take turns adding the ingredients and everyone is happy.


Fabulous Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jace's Turkey

Jace's feet (body) and his hands (feathers) make up this little turkey.

Trace feet with shoes on.

Play Dough

1 C. Flour
1 C. Warm Water
2 t. Cream Of Tartar
1 t. Oil
1/4 C. Salt
Food Coloring
Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last.
Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth. You might possibly have to add more flour (like bread). Place in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.

Apple Jacks Necklace

Ghetto Princess

Fruit Art

Use hands and paint to make fruit art.

Criss Cross Piggy Braids

Homemade Picture Frames

Frames:
Sticks
Paint/Brushes
Hot Glue Gun
Art:
Paper
Colored Pencils

Campground Safety

When you arrive to your camping destination, have the kids gather rocks and place them around the camp fire. While they look for rocks, you have a little time to unload your camping gear. When the circle is complete, explain that inside the circle is "The Danger Zone".

Mr. Potato Head

Mr. Potato Head makes an awesome bath toy!

Give The Grass A Haircut

Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum

Give your kids kid friendly scissors and let them cut the grass. Tell them they are giving a giant a haircut. (Jace and his cousins pretended that the giant was asleep and they sang him lullaby's while the cut.)

Spray Bottle Squirt Guns

Spray bottles make the best squirt guns. They are easy to use, refill and are inexpensive!

Color Dotz

I Highly Recommend Color Dotz. Every night at bath time, all I have to say is "Jace, It's Bath Time." and he yells back while sprinting to the tub, "I Get To Pick The Color!!!" He Loves the dotz and I Love how entertaining they are for him!

The Dotz Do Not Stain and I purchased them at Walmart.