Jesus & The Easter Bunny+Starting traditions with my girls

Sophia is 2 this year..and able to understand a bit more about Easter..

So Ben and I were trying to figure out how we wanted to explain the whole Easter Bunny thing while keeping the
 focus on celebrating JESUS. (rising from the dead....kinda a big deal. ;)

I really wanted to start some traditions with our girls.

They are soaking everything up right now..

I see Sophia every day learning and asking questions..

I want Easter to be a special time for us as a family celebrating!

EASTER TRADITION IDEAS:

1. I want to set up a little Easter Morning Tea Party

 with all of Sophie and Sienna's Bunnies!!
(i just bought a superrrr cute tea set..plastic..because of sienna.)
I would put out all the little treats..pretty frilly things and a garland..

have the baskets out etc.. 

images via: peeps bunting-last year's easter hit! tea cup.

But....I wanted to know how to connect the Easter Bunny Tea Party to Jesus...
and I posted my question on facebook and got some FABULOUS responses. 

"the night before they could help mix/make something sweet (cinnamon rolls?)
 that will RISE overnight... like JESUS! ... they can eat them at their bunny tea party and you could discuss Jesus' resurrection... via storybook and cinnamon rolls?!"

-Brittanny

"Monkey bread rises overnight too...
and in a big way! We do this every year."

-Chrissy

"perhaps you could call it(monkey bread) 'Jesus bread' instead."

-Karen (aunt)

"hmmm...how about setting the table with a seat for Jesus...
but it is empty in the morning...just like the tomb was empty?!? 
And because he rose...he's able to watch over us always...
maybe even a rose at His seat at the Tea Party?!?"

-Jill

"Ben could dress up as Resurrection Jesus and show him his 'scars' 

oh wait..you have girls...yeah better suited to my boys ;)"

-Valerie (sister)

"I used to have serious issues with the whole "Easter bunny" concept till I heard a nun explain to me who the Easter bunny is: When Jesus rose and walked out of his tomb, the first creature to see him was a bunny! And that bunny then went around to the whole world bringing sweets and gifts to people to celebrate and share the Good News that Jesus was risen"

-C.A.

"I like that story aout the bunny. Maybe Sophia and Siena's bunnies could have a note for them, or something like a newspaper, with the Good News. 
Set a seat for Jesus because he is always thinking of them."

-Kathleen

2. I'm going to print out some free printable coloring pages and put them on her easel with crayons.

Something to keep her busy while I get ready for Church... ;)

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE!

4. Arts & Craft Project: Printable Resurrection Set

created by the talented Lacy...FREE for you!

Sophie loves acting out things with her little toys..having them talk to each other..this is perfect for her! and it will give me a chance to explain what we are celebrating! love it lacy!!

3. I think I'll make up some Cinnamon Rolls and put

my Easter Cupcake Toppers in them!

(sophia lovesss toppers. they make everything like a party!)

4. Dress up pretty 

for Jesus and go to Church!
Jesus is happy we are there...even if we're in the cry room the entire time..:)

5. Egg hunt and Dinner with Family

We are lucky enough to have family in town..lots of sophia and sienna's cousins! 

So the past couple years we all have gotten together after nap time

 for an Egg Hunt & Easter dinner. 

I'm supposed to bring desserts...which is perfect because I LOVE to bake.

I  did the desserts last year too!

it's so funny seeing photos of our old house! and sophie so little....

 

What EASTER TRADITIONS

 Do you have???
-Natalie