Easter

We had a blessed Easter and hope you all did too. It was a busy time as we returned from our vacation. We had an egg hunt at a local vineyard in town. It was a beautiful day spent with maybe 150 other people. The in-laws of friends own the vineyard and it is a thing they put on yearly. Imagine a scene from your latest Pottery Barn magazine.....and a bunch of little black gnats flying around! Then we entered Holy Week which I have concluded is my favorite week of the year, but most exhausting as well. We spent a quiet Monday and Tuesday around the house thinking of Jesus and trying to do good deeds in order to remove the thorns from our crown. (This was an idea we worked on all of lent. I made a crown of thorns--toothpicks stuck in a brown paper plate) For any unsolicited good deed, the do good child got to take out a thorn because those deeds where helping to relieve Jesus of some suffering. Perhaps next year we will work on Patrick's suggestion....jab the thorns in the crown for every mean deed....or maybe not.

Anyhow, we had some work to do Holy Week to have our crown to the desired "empty" by Easter. On Wednesday we went to a Byzantine Catholic Church for their chrism service (where they bless the holy oils to be used during the upcoming year) It was quite long-over 2 hours- but the kids did great, and we enjoyed the chanting and beautiful music and incense. Thursday I had a brainstorm.....we needed to celebrate Passover dinner as Jesus and his Apostles did. So I searched several grocery stores for lamb shanks (I have never cooked lamb before). The kids and I cooked the afternoon away...lamb, unleavened bread, grape juice, bitter herbs, apples and nuts.....I tried to do the best rendition I could. We discussed Passover at the dinner table that night and then went to Mass that evening. The kids love this Mass where we hear about the institution of the Priesthood, the Eucharist and the washing of feet.....the kids always hope they will be picked, but they didn't mind watching the others have their feet washed. Then we spent some time before the Blessed Sacrament. Then on to Good Friday. We decided to make an effort to be solemn and quiet from 12-3. Sean took a big nap, so that was easy. The kids and I colored our stations of the cross and posted them around the school room and then made our way of the cross in prayer. At 3 we went to a service at church. It is Sarah's favorite as she asks at various times throughout the year when she can kiss the cross......well she won't remember it this year as her head hit the pew in sleep about 5 minutes before we got to that part. Easter was ever joyful, with Mass and ham, mashed potatoes, collards, asparagus, and candy. We spent that afternoon at the ballpark watching the Riverdogs.....an interesting tradition in the making....hmmmm...... Anyhow, I am still tired from last week......I wish the kids were. They are still on a candy high I am afraid. Here are some pictures of the gang.