Our Lent

Thanks to Lent coming later this year I actually had time to be ready for it. This is the kitchen table centerpiece- a crown of thorns to remind us of Jesus' sufferings for us and how our little sufferings are nothing compared to Calvary. To the left is our Parrish's Lenten mission box for alms for an orphanage in India. Marky helped me make this crown by painting toothpicks dark brown. (This craft and the accidents thereof furthered my resolve that we need a glass cover for our table and the glass people came out this morning and measured for one!!!)

I made Marky's usual road map to Easter- and he has his little black caterpillar making his way in the dessert- on Easter Sunday he will be a radiant butterfly! Sundays are gold b/c they aren't part of Lent and the fish mean days that we abstain from meat (although I used to see the word "abstain" on Catholic calendars when I was Protestant and think- wow they are really in their people's business- ha!).

"Little Bit" got her lamb calendar that she loves to do. Am I going to end up making one for Tucker next year too or at some point do we need to just share?!

And we did make a pretty Alleluia sign to "hide" during Lent (b/c you won't here that word at mass during the next 46 days), but Julia can't seem to hide it and sat with it as she ate her cereal this morning and spilled milk on it. That's Sissy for you.

If you are wanting to do a Lenten calendar there is an awesome printable one here made by Lacy at Catholic Icing (and that's probably what I'll do next year).

Most families do some sort of activity where the kids get to earn jellybeans or remove thorns from the crown or make a flower wreath based on their good works or sacrifices during Lent, but I think my little ones just aren't ready for that yet (meaning only Marky would get it). I am trying to really point out areas that they are doing sacrifices, like when Marky vacuumed up the dirt when Tucker dug up my coffee table plant.......again. :) Hope your Lent got off on the right foot and you can celebrate a little spring cleaning of the soul!