Two weeks from today we will celebrate Easter (already)! I’m always amazed by how the time gets away from me, so Jim and I actually had a date night to do some Easter basket shopping to try and avoid our usual, last-minute scramble. We purchased a few small items, and ordered some books online, but I am waiting to get the chocolate and candy. I am actually, (surprisingly) doing really well with my Lenten goal of giving up chocolate and I don’t want to blow it now by tempting myself with bags of Reese’s! Speaking of fasting, Crosswalk.com has some excellent ways to fast that are really unique and creative. Things like “Fast from Driving” (I’m liking that more and more with gas prices!) “Fast from Multitasking” and 15 total ways to fast as we observe the last few weeks of Lent. Click here for the article.
Back to the baskets, here are a few of the items we have so far:
Sticker book for Garrett. We also bought little matching cross necklaces for the boys. Less than $3 at our local Catholic bookstore. Good deal!
We had to get this for Karolina. 🙂 Even though she doesn’t sit through a book yet, this is a keeper (for obvious reasons). 🙂 We also bought bookmarks for the kids too.
I’ve also heard great things about this book, especially good for Easter (but on backorder due to demand):
“The Boy Who Met Jesus” is also currently on it’s way from Amazon. After reading “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom with Gabriel, it’s been a challenge to find a fitting follow-up. I think/hope this one will be great to read with Gabe.
Do you have any special books or significant items you place in Easter baskets? Would love to hear your tips and special suggestions.
A great book for Easter is the story of the three trees. It's a picture book but here is the story I found on line…get a tissue 🙂 (The post is too long so it will be in two)
The Three Trees
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: " I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. " I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world! The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.
Years, passed. The rain came, the sun shone and the little trees grew tall. One day three wood cutters climbed the mountain. The first wood cutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall make a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said.
The second wood cutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It's perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. " I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last wood cutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the wood cutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, or treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and awed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. " All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God…"
Many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him." Her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. " This manger is beautiful." She said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and a thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She new she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten wood pile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hand to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The next time you feel down because you didn't get what you wanted, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.
Thank you so much Christina! I saw You Tube also has an animated movie of it too: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQtwIwBA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMBZ-gYHBMeA&ei=KmlwT5uVKezy2gXPudTxAQ&usg=AFQjCNHPbNkhDsGTyky6_BaT96XUfDoEhQ&sig2=b9iqB6ZFK-esXG5U5bzMmQ. Although I do think the hardcover book is the best way to go. Thanks SO MUCH for sharing!
Thank you so much Christina! I saw You Tube also has an animated movie of it too: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQtwIwBA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMBZ-gYHBMeA&ei=KmlwT5uVKezy2gXPudTxAQ&usg=AFQjCNHPbNkhDsGTyky6_BaT96XUfDoEhQ&sig2=b9iqB6ZFK-esXG5U5bzMmQ. Although I do think the hardcover book is the best way to go. Thanks SO MUCH for sharing!
Thank you so much Christina! I saw You Tube also has an animated movie of it too: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQtwIwBA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMBZ-gYHBMeA&ei=KmlwT5uVKezy2gXPudTxAQ&usg=AFQjCNHPbNkhDsGTyky6_BaT96XUfDoEhQ&sig2=b9iqB6ZFK-esXG5U5bzMmQ. Although I do think the hardcover book is the best way to go. Thanks SO MUCH for sharing!
Where did you find the kids' book on Pope John Paul II? The story posted above in comments about the three trees is such a sweet story.
Heidi, I found the book at our local Catholic book store. I'm not sure about yours, but our St. Raphael's bookstore will usually order the item if it's requested and they don't have it. I hope that helps. I also found it on Amazon (but I guess buying used is the way to go, based on the price)! http://www.amazon.com/Karol-Poland-Life-Pope-Children/dp/0819842052
I hope that helps!