A popcorn ball that would smell so sweet

Stephen's sister Roxanne sent the kids this cute pail from the Popcorn Factory. The kids go crazy over packages. It does not take long to learn to love presents. Growing up holiday's and birthdays seemed to last for a month. It is no different now. We love getting thoughtful surprises in the mail. It is always an adventure when Aunt Roxanne and Grammy send boxes.

As a parent it is my job to teach my children morals and manners. After all I want to enjoy being around my kids and I hope others will enjoy being around them. It is a little difficult with the excitement of Santa Clause and the Easter bunny. Is there a way to separate the secular from the real meaning of why we celebrate Easter? Can a child really comprehend Jesus Christ died but he is still alive? I would choose the Easter bunny to. It makes sense...to me anyway. My kids know who Jesus is. Mason surprises me with his knowledge of the Savior. So why not just have a Spring Bunny come visit the week before and hide eggs like at my friends house. The kids are already getting prizes from their grandparents and other relatives and friends.

My everyday life is already hectic with the normal things that need to be done. Every time a holiday comes around I literally go insane. I doubt it is supposed to be that way. Aren't holidays supposed to be filled with glee?
Last Easter the Easter Bunny forgot to hide the eggs and put out the baskets. In the morning Stephen distracted the kids long enough for me to run out in the backyard and throw some eggs around on the ground and put the easter baskets on the front porch. This year I remembered Saturday morning that I needed to take the frozen ham out of the freezer because Easter was the next day and I was cooking dinner for relatives. It all seems so rushed. The point lost.

Kids are children only for a short while. Why not let them enjoy the fantasy of childhood. I have fond memories of hunting for Easter eggs. Actually that is the only thing I remember about Easter. The world is gray enough. There are many ways we can teach our children about why we celebrate Easter. Last year I cut out pictures of Christ and put them in some of their plastic eggs. This year the whole week before Easter, for family scripture study, we focus on Jesus Christ life and how we can be happy by following his example. I am hopeful that one day my kids will come to understand the many wonderful things Christ has done for all of us. I have.