Holy Week Happenings: Sunday/Monday: Pickle Ball {post 1 of 3} HERE
Holy Week Happenings: Tuesday: Water Color Crucifix & Growing Easter Grass {post 2 of 3} HERE

I laid out my "plans" for Holy Week in a prior post HERE and on Wednesday we did a new Holy Week tradition that I saw on Kendra's post called "Spy Wednesday."

I read Matthew 26:1-16 to my children where Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  I used thirty dimes and hid them in 2 rooms in my house.  It was interesting to observe my children grab the coins and my older children were pushing each other out of the way for them (such angels :) )  My 6 year old was in tears because all her older siblings were grabbing faster than she could find.  Eventually, my children combined their coins into one pile as we discussed how easy it is to be greedy and selfish like Judas.

Wednesday morning we went to pray the Stations of the Cross with another homeschool family at "Via Cruces" (Way of the Cross), a meditation garden that was beautifully created by a couple in our parish in their yard. The couple made the garden for anyone to meditate on Jesus' passion, death and resurrection with the Stations of the Cross.  It was an amazing place filled with treasures and gems along the path and I decided to visit it again often, especially during Holy Week.  Here are some pictures from our visit:

Holy Week Happenings: Sunday/Monday: Pickle Ball {post 1 of 3} HERE
Holy Week Happenings: Wednesday: Spy Wednesday and Via Cruces {post 3 of 3} HERE

I laid out my "plans" for Holy Week in a prior post HERE and on Tuesday, we did some artwork that I saw last year for the first time on Chris' blog at Campfires and Cleats.  I thought her kids did a beautiful job and I made a note to myself that I would try this with my own children this year.

This year, Tiffany at Family at the Foot of the Cross made the Water Color Crucifix with her children and she used Nancy's crucifix printable from Do Small Things with Love to complete her pictures.  So I gave this version a try with my cupcakes and I'm so glad I did!

As instructed in Nancy's post, my kids (and a neighbor friend) first colored over the black crucifix printable with a black or white crayon so the water color paint wouldn't make the black print ink run.



 

 

Our Holy Week started on Palm Sunday as we went to Mass and I took this picture of our church's altar.  Red is the liturgical color for Palm Sunday and the priests' wear red vestments as well.
When we got home, I made this arrangement with our palm branches and the cross palms were made by my Dad who gave them to us when my parents visited Sunday afternoon.  The palm branches are in our sacrifice beans and in the middle of our salt dough crown of thorns.

I laid out my "plans" for Holy Week in a prior post HERE and on Monday we went to see my Mom play Pickle Ball as planned.  My Mom is competing in the Senior Games locally this week so she played Pickle Ball on Monday and will play Table Tennis on Friday.  We had never seen the game played before and it is a cross between tennis and table tennis.  In fact, my Mom said that the athletes that have tennis experience usually do really well with the sport.  I really enjoyed watching my Mom play several matches, both singles and doubles.  Here I am with my Mom and 5 cupcakes after one of her games. 

Below is a video of my Mom playing a doubles match (to give you an idea of Pickle Ball) with her male partner who is 84 years old. My Mom and her partner are in the blue shirts with my Mom on the left side of screen.  They were amazing (and quite funny) to watch.  The man had tendonitis in one of his legs and a hearing aid so my Mom had to speak loudly for him to hear.  They did really well though and won! 

This week is our Spring Break in our homeschool and it is a very Holy Week as we get closer to commemorate our Lord's passion, death, and resurrection!

Last year I posted information and videos about Palm Sunday, which is tomorrow, and about the 3 holiest days in the Church year, Easter Triduum.  I also reflected on why Holy Week and Easter is such a special time for our family.  You can read all about it HERE.


After we get our palms at the Palm Sunday Mass we traditionally try to make a cross with them.  However, I might try one of these creative braids as posted by Jennifer at Catholic Inspired or one of  these creative ideas as posted by Lacy at Catholic Icing.



Here are our plans for this Holy Week 2014...(IF all goes as planned) :)

Palm Sunday (that's tomorrow!): We will burn last year's blessed palms and plant our Easter grass so it will be ready for Easter Sunday.  You can read about this easy and fun tradition HERE.
Our family is hosting our monthly homeschool family rosary gathering.  Our homeschool families will gather in our home to lift up prayer intentions then recite the Glorious Mysteries.  Then we have a potluck dinner and the kids get to run around while the parents chat.  It is always a blessed time!

Monday:  My kids and I are going to watch my Mom play Pickle Ball as she tries to qualify for the Senior Games.  I have never seen Pickle Ball, but my Mom says it's a fun game.  We are looking forward to cheering my Mom on!  Also, on Monday I hope to make this Holy Week Watercolor Art with my children.  It's just beautiful and looks easy too!

Tuesday:  I plan on taking my children to visit “Via Cruces”, a meditation garden to pray the Stations of the Cross at the home of parishionsers from our parish.  The couple made this garden for anyone for reflection and devotion to our Lord during the remainder of Lent.  I'm looking forward to sharing this experience with my children and some other families in our homeschool group. 

Wednesday: Kendra at Catholic All Year has some great ideas for this day during Holy Week so maybe I'll try her "Spy Wednesday" activities or the other Holy Week ideas she shared HERE.


We also dye our Easter eggs...


On Holy Saturday evening we usually make Easter story cookies which are easy and delicious and like the resurrection rolls, they symbolize Jesus' empty tomb after He rose from the dead.  You can get the recipe at my post HERE.


And if you need a quick Easter decoration, be sure to check out how my Cupcakes made Easter egg garland HERE. 

So this brings us to Easter Sunday when we can rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord!  We plan on going to Mass as a family and eat a potluck breakfast at the Church we will be attending, then enjoy a fun Easter egg hunt!  I hope to make these colorful eggs for the potluck breakfast. 

May you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!

Today we took a break from the books and headed to a local pottery paint studio to paint some pieces and take a tour of how the pieces are glazed in the oven.  My children painted small dolphins, a mug for Father's Day, treasure chests, a turtle, and I made a square tile with my baby's handprints to give to my husband for Father's Day.  We were busy! 

As everyone finished painting, we went to where the pieces are finished so that the final product is the nice, shiny look.  Here the worker is showing us a big tub of green goo, which is actually the glaze mixture that dries clear when heated.  

The white knobs with holes in them helps the ovens cool down.  I can't remember what else she said at this point because I was being distracted with my baby. :) 

I don't have an example of a finished product since I was distracted and had to get home quickly.  We will pick up our creations in about a week and the kids are looking forward to seeing how theirs will turn out!  Maybe if I remember I'll post our creations on my blog.  

I learned a lot about pottery painting on this little field trip and so did my children! 

For more Quick Takes, visit A Conversion Diary.