Tradition Tuesday - April Traditions

April Fool’s Breakfast:

Have dinner for breakfast…get creative.  Also as part of breakfast, each person has to tell a joke that they have prepared for the occasion.  You can also do fun, harmless pranks throughout the meal/day.

Invisible Writing: 

Dip a cotton swab in milk or lemon juice and use it to write a message on a piece of white paper.  Send it to a friend or family member with instructions to iron the paper to read the hidden message (of course with help from parents if child is not old enough to use an iron).  Like magic, the special message will appear!

Easter Bunny Trail:

A fun way to bring those that are too little to hunt for an easter basket or eggs is to make a bunny trail.  You can make footprints out of construction paper, or make a stencil and use baby powder or flour to make prints. They will squeal with delight as they follow the trail to their basket of treats.  Black jellybeans can also be used as bunny droppings to add an element of humor that older children will enjoy.

Kindness Wreath:

Create a kindness wreath for your front door. Begin with a small, plain wreath. A week or two before Easter, distribute 10 or more ribbons in bright spring colors to each family member. Whenever someone reaches out to another in kindness during the week, another ribbon is tied onto the wreath.

True Meaning of Easter Tree:                         

You need a tree or a tall vase with branches in it. You also need several very tiny Easter eggs (to put on the tree), small baggies to hold the Easter eggs, and small strips of paper with the following verses: 

Day 1: Genesis 3:1-19 (God's first promise of sending a Redeemer)
Day 2: Genesis 22:1-14 (the story of Abraham and Isaac when God provides the ram for the offering)
Day 3: Exodus 12:21-30 (the first Passover)
Day 4: Numbers 21:4-9 (Moses and the brass serpent)
Day 5: Matthew 21:33-46 (parable of the unfaithful stewards)
Day 6: John 12:1-11 (Mary's anointing Jesus' feet with her hair)
Day 7: Matthew 21:1-11 (Jesus' triumphant entry--Palm Sunday)
Day 8: Matthew 26:14-30 (the Last Supper)
Day 9: Matthew 26:31-46 (the Garden of Gethsemane)
Day 10: Matthew 26:47-75 (Judas' betrayal)
Day 11: Matthew 27:11-31 (Jesus' trial before Pilate)
Day 12: Matthew 27:32-56 (the crucifixion)
Day 13: Matthew 27:57-66 (Jesus' burial)
Day 14: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark:16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-31 (the resurrection)
Start two weeks before Easter. Each day, take the egg out of the little bag and hang it on the tree. Read the verses and discuss the meaning of the verses. On Easter morning, the tree is covered with eggs. (Have extra eggs to hang on the tree and a few other decorations to make it look beautiful.)

The Family Treasure Egg:
Find or create a very special egg that can be used every year. Decorate elaborately with ribbons, rhinestones, etc.  Next make a treasure map that shows where the Family Treasure Egg will be hidden (in your home, back yard, local park, etc.) and cut the map into puzzle pieces.  Put those pieces into individual plastic eggs and hide them.  It’s up to the little ones to find the small hidden eggs and bring the pieces to the older kids or adults who put together the Treasure Map.  Then all go searching for the Family Treasure Egg, which contains a surprise gift the whole family will enjoy.

Do you have any you'd like to share with us?

Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Free Printables

Anyone like me this year and scrambling for some fun ideas at the last minute?  Don't worry I've got you're back!  Here's a few of my favorites:

LAST DAY OF HALF OFF SALE

Just a reminder!  Pod patterns will be $10 tomorrow so if you are wanting to get one, TODAY is the day!

Also to those of you who have already purchased a pattern and would just like the updates, please email me and I'll get them right out to you free of charge.

OK, that's all for now...over and out.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 1.5

First of all I need to mention that this little cherub of a baby, my sweet Norah Jane turned ONE today!  I know every mother says this but it is so true that time goes so quickly.  She enjoyed a mini party with her sisters, mom, dad and grandma tonight and giggled and smiled her way through it.  She has brought so much joy to our lives already.  She is nothing but sugar and spice and everything nice! We love you Norah Jane.

Now for the Announcement!  

This has been a long time in coming on this end so I am really excited to let you know that the Pod pattern is now available with the following added options:

• A preemie size
• A rounded bottom option

To celebrate, I'm offering a discount!  All Pod Patterns sold this week will be HALF OFF!!!  That's right folks, you read it correctly!  You will get the regular Pod pattern with the added options...for $5 through the Etsy shop today through Monday.  So hurry over and get them while they are HOT!

Sorry I didn't post Today....

I was busy coughing up a lung.

Seriously, I have some great sick day traditions but don't have the energy. I finally went to Urgent Care last night after five days of freezing/hot sweats with temps ranging from 100 - 103 degrees and a cough that NyQuil couldn't touch.

The Dr. was kind enough to tell me I either have a sinus infection or the beginning stages of phenomena. Awesome. He gave me some great stuff though and I'm doing a lot better today. He also sent me home with a mask to wear around the girls...but unfortunately I think it is too late. Jeff has been a trooper and took two sick days to help out but that didn't stop them from wanting to snuggle.
I don't have to tell you that babes don't understand that they need to stay away from sick Mama.
Maisy has had a tough day....hopefully tonight will be better for her.

Anyway, the best thing about being sick is realizing how great it is when you start feeling better. Wish us all luck over here! I think we'll be needing it. :)