A Long 40 Days Leading to Easter!

Yasay Kids Easter 2014

It just so happened that right before Lent this year, Lissie started to take a very serious liking to church and Mass.  So much so that we decided to put Xavier in the nursery so we could sit front and center at church so she could see all the action and talk to her about everything that is taking place without her brother's distracting screams and cries.

Also, leading up to Lent, her favorite thing to sing at church was the "Alleluia."  She loved all different versions, and we would sing it at home - often right before bedtime.  It was her favorite song.

Which is why I knew that she would be very interested in Lent and "burying the Alleluia."   She enjoyed using her countdown calendar to note how many more days were left until she could sing "Alleluia" again.  She looked forward to her tri-weekly Lenten videos that taught her more about this special season.  And she was very intrigued by the Stations of the Cross that we did every Friday - especially because she had her simplified Montessori version that I made to help her understand Jesus' journey to the Cross in her own way.  Of course, she loved the Fish Fries that she went to afterwards, as well.  Haha.

She was a little too enthusiastic about Easter and tried to jump ahead.

Holy Week has been extra special, too. She made palm crafts with Daddy to mark Passion Sunday. And while we didn't get to go to Mass on Holy Thursday (although I just know she would've loved watching the washing of the feet and the Eucharistic Procession!), she enjoyed going to church twice on Good Friday - once for Adoration with me and Xavier, but again for Good Friday services with Lolo and Lola where she was especially pleased to get to kiss the cross.

Making her own Crown of Thorns on Good Friday

She also had two Easter egg hunts: one at MDO and another at the zoo with her Lolo and Lola.  And, while she was very excited about them and had a blast at both, she kept insisting that we shouldn't celebrate Easter because "it's just not Easter yet, Mommy!"

Eagerly awaiting his first egg hunt!

Getting the hang of it.

Mommy, these eggs are empty.  What's the point?

An egg hunting pro!

Sibling Love

Loving Lola

Lissie and friends and their baby siblings

Xavier, Lola, Hippo

Lissie, Lolo, Lion

Too cool for the bunny

And today, Easter Sunday, we started off the day by singing Alleluia when we woke her up for Mass.  We took a quick peek at our Easter baskets before heading off to Mass to rejoice and sing more praises for the Risen Christ.  Lissie loved noting the differences in the church today compared to during Lent.  We continued the celebration by eating way too much at Easter brunch with Lolo and Lola and will continue our rejoicing tonight when Daddy comes home from work with a lovely Easter dinner, complete with Resurrection Rolls.

I can't wait until next year when Xavier will (hopefully!) be ready to begin to understand Lent and Easter, as well! 

Happy Easter!  Christ the Lord has Risen Today!  Alleluia!