Lent Link Up

Lacy, at Catholic Icing set up this "Lent Link Up" and I couldn't resist adding my 2 cents worth!

We always use a "sacrifice and good deed" jar in which we put in beans every time we do something extra nice, or helpful, or sacrifice something. Some things are worth many beans, like today, the 2 oldest kids got up and started their school right away and were almost done by the time I got dressed and ready for the day! 10 beans for that one! I am not stingy with the beans, as it does take quite a few beans to fill the jar and makes everyone positive and happy. It's amazing what the kiddos will do for a bean. Of course it is explained that it's not just for the bean, but for Jesus!

Then on Easter Sunday, the dry beans turn into bright colored jelly beans!

We do the Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure 3 times/week. This is a free service that is emailed to you. The kiddos watch a short video and we print out coloring sheets and puzzles and pray a daily decade with the other kiddos as well as the Angelus.

Lacy at Catholic Icing also had these wonderful sheets, where the kiddos color a square each day on the Lenten path to Easter. We put a purple (the color of penance, Lent and kings) cross on the door and each child put their sacrifices and what they'd like to do extra during Lent

We plan to do a washing of feet on Holy Thursday, stressing what Jesus did on that night, reading from the bible and the meaning of washing others' feet, service and sacrifice. Putting others needs first.

The kids always love doing this!

We pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet more often and start the novena on Good Friday.

Stations of the Cross are prayed along with this CD and we follow them up the stairs. It's a fun way for the littles to sit and watch along the way.

These beautiful images were ordered through CHC.

CRAFTS next!

These beautiful stand up crosses are made with cardstock paper (I used folders)

Cut half way up where the crayons are showing! Then slide into each slit.

Sticks tied together to make crosses, put into dirt (desert) and put into a purple can or jar, draped with a purple ribbon. Later, on Easter replaced with a white ribbon!

Marble Painting! "By his stripes we were healed" Isaiah 53:5

Red paint is very visual! Crosses and necklace crosses!

Dip marbles in paint, put paper on bottom of a box, put marbles in and roll around!

The purple crosses and shamrocks are marble painted.

Onto snacks! The kiddos love to make these pretzels, symbolizing crossed arm praying. (the old way people used to pray)

My recipe can be found here

Pretzel crosses. Big rods, or little sticks can be made into cross snacks, by adding peanut butter or cream cheese.

Resurrection Rolls

Crescent rolls

Cinnamon and sugar

Melted butter

Large marshmallows

Dip marshmallows into melted butter and then sugar mix and put inside triangle rolls, wrap them up and sprinkle with sugar mix on top.

Bake 9-11 minutes

Empty tombs when they are finished!

We have these on Easter morning!

I hope this post has given you some ideas for your Lent!

Something we always like to do is a mini retreat at home, using some of these ideas packed into Holy week.

Blessings on your path to Easter!