Easter Resurrection Garden...{Our $2.47 Tutorial}

Easter is a time of Renewal and New Beginnings 

This is our Easter Resurrection Garden.  We spent a Total of $2.47 to make it.  A VERY Frugal and simple craft, yet full of meaning.

Kingston showing our finished little garden =}

You can find the story of Jesus' Resurrection here ~ Luke 24 He Has Risen NIV
"He Has Risen!" Mathew 28:6

As part of our Easter Activities, this year the boys and I got to have some fun on the back porch reflecting on the meaning of Jesus' Resurrection and what it means to us.  This is the closest my boys have been to making a mud pie ~ without getting into trouble!  Kingston wanted to decorate it with flowers from the yard, which I thought was a sweet touch too.

To put our little garden together, the boys and I collected these things:

From Store
Grass Seed {smallest bag meant for patch repair} Only $2.47 at my local Wal-Mart!

From Our Yard
Twigs
Small Rocks
Dandelions

I already had on hand an extra planter pot, potting soil, and scotch tape.  We used a small silver ramekin from my kitchen for the inside of the tomb.

Close up of our garden before putting the crosses on.  Kingston took the smaller stones and made a walking path to the top of the 'hill'.  Then Vaughn & Kingston took the twigs & tape to make an 'X' shape to construct the 3 wooden crosses.  Now comes the fun part...waiting in faith for the grass to grow!  

                          

And don't forget to share the Jelly Bean Prayer!  =}

I hope that this week is a time of reflection and renewal for you.  When I think about my life, I am humbled by God's Grace and Mercy.  

The Lost Medallion ~ The Adventures of Billy Stone {study guide included}

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As a mother of 3 boys ~ 12 (almost 13), 11 & 7 years old, I'm always on the hunt for books & movies that promote morals.  Doing a random search for upcoming books to add to their reading list, I found 'The Lost Medallion' and the movie was on Netflix - SCORE!  To make this movie sweeter, a friend emailed me a Discussion Guide to go along with it.  {which you can find the pdf file below to print}.

Typically we would do our book reading prior to watching the movie, following with the movie then comparison.  But I placed the book on order and just couldn't wait!  I watched this with my boys and we all gave it a 5 STAR review! 

Link for the book Kindle version is also available  

Link for Movie {currently on $5.00 w/free shipping!} ~ 

Study & Discussion Guide ~ pdf

We followed the discussion guide by having the boys bring from their 2 most favorite toys from their bedrooms.  After centering in the living room - we shared what made each item special.  Following Psalm 139:14-16, we talked about how each one of us is a Masterpiece made by God and with a purpose.

Then we made our own Medallion.  This was actually a lot of fun and some of the responses the boys came up with for each other was very entertaining!  In the movie, Danielle says, "My heart is my medallion." 

Creating our own Coffman Family Medallion to display, we listed each family member and our special gifts. This craft is to remind us of how our family reflects the body of Christ with different gifts and abilities.  I trimmed the edges, laminated it, hole punched the top and ran a twine loop through to give it that 'medallion' look.  Unfortunately, I forgot to date the backside before laminating it.  oops!

{of course not to be wasteful, we found a few other items to laminate while we were making out project =)}

The Coffman Medallion

Before closing in prayer, we brainstormed how each one of us can use our gifts to serve others.  Looks like we will be busy for quite awhile!  =}

Thanks for following along with us! Please share in comments below your thoughts on The Lost Medallion or any other recommendations for great movies & books that promote morals.  Thanks in advance!  ~ Tanya