Happy Easter!

Along with our normal Easter tradition of a Jerusalem dinner, I like to try something new. In the past its been a lentil soup or fruit/nut salad that's traditional of passover.

This year I decided to make "flatbread".

I don't know if you're familiar with flatbread, but it's not "unleavened" because it does contain yeast. I didn't really know what I was doing, but the family seemed to appreciate and enjoy it.

Our Jerusalem dinner, minus the variety of figs, because no one really likes/eats them. Also minus the grapes and olives, because I forgot to buy them. Oops.

The beloved goat cheese WAS there, so hopefully the forgotten food was forgiven.

Another new idea this year was to talk about Christ's week, leading up to Easter (Palm Sunday, cleansing of the temple, etc.). My idea was to show a picture and read scriptures each night. With a busy week and too much going on, we got through the first 3 days, but fizzled out. So on Sunday we made up for lost time and talked about the additional days. This was an especially good discussion.

Next, we watched a two part movie called, "The Last Days in the Life of Jesus". It was done by "Living Scriptures" and was narrated by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen. As he walked through the modern day Jerusalem, he talked about Christ's week leading up to the crucifixion/burial/resurrection. It was VERY interesting and really helped, even Jason and I, put together days and events in a chronological way. There were many details that I had never imagined quite the way he told it. I guess I only had artist pictures to illustrate the story in my head.... and it was different than that.

The movie could have been considered boring by the kids, but even they settled down and found some interest in it... maybe the popcorn helped too. :)

When you get passed the cheesy beginning, poor film quality and 1985 styles... it's GREAT! I would highly recommend it. We may make it a part of our Easter tradition every year.

Anyone want to borrow it? I'll just need it back by next Easter, thanks.

Conference Weekend & Easter Sunday

"We thank thee O God for a Prophet to guide us in these latter-days....."

Early Saturday morning, Treyson came into my room and asked, "Is it time for General Conference to start?"

"Not yet, go back to bed or go read a book or something. Let me sleep."

Minutes later, "Now is it time?!"

"No, I'll let you know. You won't miss it... I promise."

Then it was Abree's turn. :)

Since our FHE lesson on Monday, Treyson and Abree had been tag-teaming me with the same question over and over. I was pleased that they were excited about General Conference, but wasn't showing it that early in the morning.

In the last few years, my kids have shown more interest and have started looking forward to General Conference. It could be combination of many things, maybe one of these; getting older, conference activity booklets/BINGO, quiet play items and SNACKS.

Whatever the motivation, I am proud of them. They were the ones to call to me when it FINALLY started that morning.

Saturday, we stayed in our jammies all day.

Except for Treyson who couldn't stand it any longer and had to get dressed, about 2 hours before it would be time to get them back on.

We brought our blankies, pillows and note taking items into the family room and got settled in for a quiet day of instruction.

After both sessions, we briefly discussed what we had learned. It was interesting to see what the kids had listened to. Each of them could come up with at least one talk, story or point that was their favorite.

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Easter Sunday

Our wheat grass was this tall Easter Sunday!

I was relieved that it actually grew...and in just under 1 week.

You should see it now. It's a lot taller. I'll be posting what I did with mine.

Between conference sessions on Sunday, we ate our traditional "Jerusalem Dinner". This year we had tuna fish pitas, hard-boiled eggs, sunflower seeds, almonds, dried apricots, figs, olives, carrots, juice AND the highly anticipated GOAT CHEESE. Seriously, my kids look forward to the goat cheese all year. The olives and hard-boiled eggs are also another favorite.

We also did our traditional "Easter in an Egg".
This example isn't exactly the same one that we do, but very similar.

I'm so glad that we have established these Easter traditions. I feel good about focusing on Christ AND have fun together.

No more goat cheese...... until next year! :)