Easter Weekend and some Hubby Time

It was a super long weekend here by us...leading us into a short work week (whoo hoo) and another long weekend and another short work week! LoL So, you can imagine how BUSY we have been!

Hasie Park

I told you here that I’d post about the ‘Hasie park.’

Hasie is Afrikaans for rabbit.

It is a free park close to where Ma lives.

And boy do they have some rabbits….

But also a lot of other animals!

When Ma told us about it, I couldn’t wait to take Lil Mister! So while there over Easter, we gathered friends and made a trip. It isn’t huge and only took us about an 45 minutes at a very casual stroll to loop the entire park. But we had a blast….and loved everything we saw! 

Teaching them the meaning...

Easter weekend was a lot of fun in our family, but it got me thinking about things I want my children to know and understand.

My faith in God and God being the head of our household is a very important issue for me.

So it has been a touch and go subject with Hubby Dearest and I about how to approach certain holidays.

I LOVE the memories I have as a child surrounding Easter and strongly want those for my children too. However, I still know the meaning of the holiday and that is, too, something my children must understand.

So how do you combine the modern themes with the true meanings without loosing something?

I’m blessed that we found a lovely school that also provides crèche for Lil Mister. The school ages from 1 year all the way until you graduate high school. It is grounded in Christian beliefs and teaches the Bible right along with each subject.

Hubby and I love this. We love the environment and the people. I loved seeing Lil Mister come home with Easter art projects that centered around the resurrection of Christ (at his age the crucifixion is a little too…much! We focus only on the life and resurrection, casually mentioning the death part as we read the story. We’ll focus more on that as he gets older!).

Still, though, on the last day of school before holiday his school report along with some awesome candies were in an adorable basket made into an bunny face from paper plates.

At home, during our Bible time, we read the story of the resurrection and how miraculous it was. But I still made an Easter basket and did an egg hunt over the weekend.

Am I confusing him?

A lot of people will argue with me and say that I am.

A lot of people will question what my answers will be when my boys start wondering how it all pieces together.

For now, Hubby Dearest and I are taking it holiday for holiday. We teach our sons the true meaning of Easter. They know about Jesus and why we celebrate his resurrection (well, they will know as they grow! Admittedly, they are quite small still!). I’m trying my best to teach my sons that they can have a personal relationship with God and Jesus by exemplifying that relationship in my own life.

But we teach them that this is also a time to celebrate! Easter is a celebration…not just a history lesson! What do balloons have to do with a birthday? So what does a bunny have to do with Easter? They are fun traditions we do, as a family because we’re celebrating Jesus’ life.

There are lots of stories of pagan traditions. There are links from the egg to rebirth. There are numerous ideals of how to link the two.

Quite simply, I don’t see the point in putting so much into it. God knows the place of our hearts. I want in my heart, for my children to know the point of Easter. I want them to know the significance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. I want them to know to celebrate all of these things.

So, for me and my house, we will worship God. We will also do Easter egg hunts and put up Christmas trees! ;-)

Besides….where in the Bible does it say we must celebrate Easter? If you want to get technical…..

Shana..

Easter Weekend....

It’s been a bit of a transition for us, not living with our parents that is.

I love having my own house. I enjoy the sense of freedom we’ve gained as a family.

However, it becomes lonely.

I’m used to having Ma there for middle of the night coffees and long Saturday morning chats. I’m used to the big loud family crowded in the not enough places to sit lounge. I’m used to cooking for 6+, definitely not 2!

So, every chance we get….we visit! Whether they’ve come here…or like over Easter we went to Ma. It was a great and relaxing three days. I just wish it was longer. But here is what we got up to…

A lot of nothing and a little bit of everything!! ;-)

LJ got to meet Jayden….again. Jason and Shanna came and visited the weekend we brought LJ home from the hospital, but LJ was so little then! (3 days old!) So now only being 3 months apart in age…we hope they’re good friends one day. Here was their first encounter!

Lil Mister was a little bit shy at first. He found his sunglasses that morning as we were packing to leave. He has since then become obsessed with them!

And we caught up with old friends!

We spent some time at the ‘Hassie Park.’ But that is another post all in itself!

And….

Lil Mister experienced his first Easter basket! I felt that under two years of age…he just wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. I guess I’m going to have to rethink this logic with LJ because I can’t see giving Lil Mister a basket next year and not giving LJ something!! We all enjoyed this one a little bit though!

And after church on Sunday….Lil Mister had an Easter egg hunt!

Otherwise….we just spent a lot of time as a family. It really sucked that Vin wasn’t with us. But, we all have to face responsibilities and work sometimes must come first. We’re really going to miss Quintin, Pa, and Ma but….we’re close at least and talk constantly as we travel these new adventures….apart but still together as a family!! ;-)

LJ's first sucker thanks to Oupa!

Shana..