Easter Traditions?

The best part of having your own small family (and not living very close to extended family) is deciding what traditions you want to carry on, leave behind, or start.

For Easter, growing up, I loved making Easter Bread (which comes from my grandma), making cream puffs with my mother, watching Easter Parade (starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire), and watching Easter Dream. 

Since I have been married, some of these things haven't happened during the Easter season especially with small children. This year, I want to find some new traditions that are a little more kid friendly, and I want your ideas. I want to hear them all from egg hunts to talking about Christ's resurrection.

What are some of your favorite traditions for Easter?

Kids Crafts: Pinwheels

I am always looking for little crafts or things to do with my children. I have a 4 year old who LOVES to do anything crafty, and a 2 year old who loves to do anything the 4 year old does. 

As spring is coming upon us I found this super easy idea that my kids will love. 

I love that they are so versatile you can use them as cupcake toppers or decoration or for a fun toy for the kids to play with.
-Megan

Family Home Evening: Love One Another in the home

One of my most memorable Family Home Evenings as a child was the time my mother made a crown...

She started by reading about King Benjamin - how he treated people right and desired the best for everyone. King Benjamin spoke to parents about taking care of their children, not letting them quarrel or fight. We talked about why it's not good to quarrel and fight as a family, and what we can do in our lives to be peacemakers at home.  We then discussed how sometimes we treat our friends better than our family, but how important our family members are to us.  Mom asked us "how we would treat a king, like King Benjamin?"  She then asked, "how should we treat each other?"

We then took turns wearing the crown. When it was our turn to wear the crown, all the other family members would go around saying something they loved about that person. It could be something about their outward appearance or personality trait, a thank you for doing something for them, or whatever you could think of. I can still remember the feelings I had that night, the spirit was so strong. Most of us ended up in tears. It was a great learning and growing experience with our family. It really brought family unity and really helped some people open up and share their feelings that otherwise might not have been expressed. 

As I grew up those thoughts would come back to me many times when I would have a disagreement with one of my siblings, and I would remember that night. It is a really simple lesson, but had a lasting impression on me.

Now, I'm waiting for the right time now to use this idea with my own family. I want it to have a lasting impression, but feel my children are too young right now. What do you think is the best age so it will really sink in?

-Megan

Dinner Exchange?

Have you ever heard of a dinner exchange?  With an exchange, you only have to cook dinner once or twice a week. My friend started this up with 3 of her other friends and they LOVE it! 

Their families are about the same size (about 3-4 kids each). They get together at the beginning of the month to make a meal plan. They each choose a day of the week, which day would work for them. (Stacy has every Tues of the month, Camille has every Monday, etc.) They usually plan a main dish and one side to go along with it. They also write down the pans/dishes that the other person will need each day and set up time to have dinner done. Each family will then go pick up dinner at the time assigned (unless it needs to be cooked at your own house, then you pick it up early). 

Example of dinner calendar:

Of course there is always something that comes up in your schedule where you may not need dinner that night, but that is why you have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on your own. You can make your own dinner or have leftovers.

Your group can be as extravagant as you want and make up your own rules (dessert, budget, etc.).

I thought it was a pretty fun idea, now if I can find 3 other people to join in with me! :)

-Megan