*My Works-For-Me Wednesday tip is a semi-re-run this week. I shared this favorite family tradition last year, though I've updated it a bit.
I think I've made it pretty clear how I feel about winter. As far as I'm concerned, except for the one bright spot of Christmas, it's the bleakest time of the year. When winter does finally shed its sorry self, I feel like celebrating--don't you?
On top of this, I can't quite stomach the over-commercialization of Easter (what does this have to do with this?) A few years ago, we started doing things a little differently around here.
Instead of doing the bunny and egg dealie on Easter, we have a celebration-to-end-all-celebrations on the first day of spring (March 20th, this year). We color eggs, we hunt for them, we do silly little gifts and we bake a bunny-shaped cake that the kids get to decorate (instructions here). Basically, we do all the more secular Easter traditions on the first day of spring, and we do it big. Outside of Christmas, it's our biggest celebration of the year.
This little family tradition serves several purposes. First, it frees up Easter to focus on the real reason we celebrate. Secondly, the kids still get all the fun of egg hunts and the like, albeit at a slightly different time. Thirdly, it just feels right to celebrate spring, that old friend who faithfully returns to make me feel a little lighter each year. My kids love this tradition and start talking about it weeks ahead of time. And I already have a throw-down of a celebration in the planning stages (this year the first day of spring falls during spring break, which is especially handy).
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3. Jack\'s Mommy (One Pot Complete Chicken Meal)
4. Hotomom (iPod Solutions)
5. Fussypants (Parenting Mind Trick!)
6. Mammarino (Use for Leftover Bread)
7. The Diaper Diaries (picky eating toddler trick)
8. Phyllis (playdough)
9. The Road to Home (CVS & Walgreens Tips)
10. MarriageHacks (The Power of Praise)
11. Candace (Laundry Help)
12. Ronnica (Air Travel Tips)
13. Jamie (How to stay productive while working at home)
14. jen (swim cover up)
15. Allison (easy baseboard cleaning)
16. Melissa\'s Idea Garden(purse notes)
17. Blissfully Domestic (Rainy Day Fun w/ Kids)
18. Robin (PENSIEVE) :) Recycling/Reducing Junk mail
19. Many Little Blessings (Protecting Your Refrigerator While Thawing Foods)
20. Rachael @ Beans & Rice (perfect baked potatoes)
21. HeresTheDiehl (VapoRub on the Feet)
22. NotTryingForABoy (egg mcmuffin frying pan)
23. becentsable (wave of savings)
24. Teresa @ A Life At Home (Save time and money by organizing that overwhelming stack of coupons)
25. Shannon @ A Reforming Mom (Mommy GIVEAWAY!)
26. Mommin\' It Up! (buddy system grocery shopping)
27. Sarah @Real Life (uses for easter egg plates)
28. The Happy Housewife ~ Children’s Artwork
29. Mill Musings (Trendy Sippy Cup Label? Make your own!)
30. At A Hen\'s Pace (getting out sweat smell from t-shirt armpits)
31. Milk in the Closet (binders are my friends!)
32. Julie (Reduce Junk Mail)
33. Naturally CentsAble (Small Steps to Affordable Whole Foods)
34. Mommy-fied (Sweet, non-spicy, easy curry)
35. Pamela (we\'re makin butter, baby)
36. margalit (Reduce stress and optimize health)
37. Holding Little Hands (Bye-Bye Dry Skin)
38. 4boys4me (Make Your Own Sugar)
39. Andrea (easy makeup removal)
40. Mamacita (cheap ink for your computer printer)
41. Jes @ Beauty From Chaos (Organizing Wires and Such)
42. Smockity Frocks (Copy and Paste)
43. IfOnlyIHadSuperPowers (Sneaky veggies)
44. Duckabush Blog(need advice re: $$)
45. karla ~ looking towards heaven (ORGANIZING YOUR CAR)
46. Peggie(penny savings)
47. Peggie(kids cupcakes)
48. Nichole
49. Walking Contradiction (product for keratosis pilaris)
50. Joy @ Joy Of Desserts (1st time -- honey)
51. We are THAT family (Denial Works For Me)
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53. The Zerens and our Coordinated Chaos-rainy day kids/toddler activity
54. Popsicles On The Porch (Sippy Cups and Germs!)
55. Christine (No, watch me!) - How to get your kids to eat spinach!
56. Spence Smith (Wine and Chocolate)
57. Ingram Gang (Storing Left Over Mac-n-Cheese)
58. Julie Stiles Mills (book giveaway with a time saving tip comment)
59. Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home (toddler breakfast and snack ideas)
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63. Amy@Experience Imagination (kid safety)
64. Infinity Goods (waiting)
65. Domestic Spaz (Mason Jars)
66. Shades of Shannon (Easter Crafts)
67. Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home (toddler breakfast and snack ideas)
68. Amy @ Memoirs of a Mommy (Coupon Organization)
69. Dawn (Recycling)
70. Mrs. Brownstone @ XBOX Wife (Family Time/Recipe)
71. Jinxy (Thrifty Baking Tips)
72. Stretch Mark Mama (Easter Tradition: Passover Seder)
73. Duckabush Blog (Getting in Shape for Summer)
74. Burger Mom (amazing birthday parties for less)
75. Coach Marcia (making confident decisions)
76. Edi (Vacation Planner)
77. fullheartandhands mama (nursing)
78. Every good and perfect gift-simpler cash envelope budget
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80. Wifey (breakfast recipes)
81. Gourmet Mom (Gift Cake)
82. Sarah (Voice Lessons Worked-Thxs!)
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84. Blue Skies From Now On (Organized Pantry)
85. JennyV (newspaper recycle)
86. Beth (Simple Easter Tradition)
87. Small Cents: Cell phone as shopping accessory
88. Hadias (Cleaning w/Vinegar)
89. It Coulda Been Worse (Magic Cleaning Pad)
90. MomOnTheGo (framing)
91. Vickie @ Pursuing Simplicity(Decorating Notebook)
92. Niki (frugal entertainment for toddlers)
93. Katie (Easy Easter Egg Clean-up)
94. Mindy Said
95. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (shipping/packaging filler idea)
96. Richelle(Talking to Grandparents)
97. Kelli@GohnCrazy (WW friendly *yummy* cake!)
98. Kim (Word association)
99. Mama Duck (Kiddie Cams)
100. To Love, Honor and Vacuum (Cleaning with Kids!)
101. Abbi@Proverbs31Living (Violin practice)
102. Katie (St Patricks Day Fun)
103. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (planning)
104. erin (oven burn on hand)
105. Angela (eating frugal organics)
106. Choosing Simplicity :)
107. Amy (Super Easy Macaroni and Cheese)
108. SisterlySavings (My V-Slicer)
109. Britni (Baking Tricks)
110. Simple Homemaker (kids hot chocolate)
111. Amy (Kitchen/Cleaning Gloves)
112. Megan (Tea in a Coffee Pot)
113. Christine (granola bars)
114. Babychaser (Teaching Toddlers with Google Images)
115. Erin (easy, quick and healthy fruit dip)
116. The Thrifty Blogger (3 great tips)
117. GettysburgMom- The Best Corned Beef
118. Shalee (Easy Inexpensive Vacations)
119. Laura@HeavenlyHomeMakers (Kids in the Kitchen, pt. 3)
120. Capturing Today (homemade sour cream and buttermilk)
121. Ames (eliminate stinky onion hands)
122. Sheri(State Education)
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124. DeputyHeadmistress (dressing in a hurry)
125. Lora Lynn - Preschool Ideas
126. Penny Raine (too many ANDS)
127. Chandra (Alarm Clock)
128. Clappy Shoes-giving life to old chips
129. Sashwhy (Apron Makeover)
130. Vanessa (update on my food storage prob from last week)
131. Amy @ By His Grace (Child\'s Closet Organization)
132. Forever Parents (art work)
133. The Not Quite Crunchy Parent (Eco Birthday Goodies bags)
134. NotebookLearning.com (Organizing Plastic Dishes)
135. Untraditional Home (dealing with seasonal clothing and kids)
136. warillever (no-spill batter)
137. Niki (finding 10 gifts under $10)
138. Karla (postage)
139. Robin @ Heart at Home (Magic Eraser)
140. Jenn @ Adventures in Poop (Baby Bee)
141. Kendra (Saving $$ on Baby Portraits)
142. Making a Guest Toilettry Basket (out of FREEBIES!)
143. Tons of Sons ~ keeping up with your child\'s first
144. Christy (Saving on Toilet Paper)
145. Emily (Handy Recipe Book)
146. Sonshine (Ipaq)
147. Mrs. Stepford (Cleaning Carbon Build-Up From Drip Pans)
148. Jenni @ Swimming in Sugar and Spice (Spring flings)
149. JanMary, N Ireland Spring Decorating
150. Braun Family Circus (discipline job jar)
151. Karen (saving money with chicken)
152. Mom Is Teaching (homeschooling conferences)
153. story (Laundry)
154. Amy (teach straw use)
155. Brea in Texas (clean floors??)
156. GP in Montana
157. NerdFamily Food(Easy Asparagus)
158. NerdFamily Things (Old Computers)
159. Making Money Keeping Money(Coupon Giveaway)
160. Kookaburra (Toddlers As Helpers)
161. TXPoppet (tidy teens)
162. melissa d. {store brand formula}
163. southern(this isn\'t working)
164. Jeni (Organized Closet)
165. Erin (easy chocolate cake)
166. Greenstylemom (Homemade Whole Grain Breadcrumbs)
167. Mindy Said - saving $ shopping
168. Tafy Sills (cloth napkins)
169. The Natural Mommy (Traveling easy with kids)
170. Char (wait till they\'re ready)
171. Nonnie (Capturing A Leprechaun, A St. Pat\'s Tradition)
172. Simple Mom (organizing toys for preschoolers)
173. Sprinkles On My Ice Cream (punch card organizer)
174. Tafy Sills (cloth napkins)
175. Sheila (Laundering Baby Socks)
176. Michelle (Free 1yr Mag. Subscription)
177. Dolphin Lady (fabric roll-ups for so many things)
178. S.B. (Save $ When Eating Out)
179. Q&Q (My Toddler\'s Schedule)
180. Corinne (WW muffins)
181. MamaToo (freeze your dough)
182. Aunt LoLo (quesedillas for dinner)
183. Melanie(storage idea)
184. Shauna (green hour)
185. Texastanya (Cosmetic Tips)
186. Kristin (Chalkboard Chalk Tip)
187. Shop In Chic(Beauty Sweepstakes)
188. Becca (De-Gunk Shower Head)
189. Kaci (cutting brownies)
190. Elena (discount copies at the UPS store)
191. Plastic Daffodils (Living without Cable)
192. Amy (organize scrapbook stuff)
193. Robyn
194. Donielle (toy storage)
195. Mira - yarn stash
196. Pinkaholic Mom (Healing Lotion!)
197. Nikke (toddler/preschool bib)
198. Adawndria (Easy Way to Marinate Meat)
199. Teri @ the Infertility Chronicles (make a little easy $$)
200. Laane (labelling paint)
201. Nichole (easy preschooler activities)
202. Passionate Homemaking (natural alternatives for household products)
203. Amyswandering (Irish Dinner Menu)
204. Ashley
205. Make-A-Mix Cookbook Online Ranch Dressing Recipe
206. Kathy (redecorating & organization)
207. Kathy (handwashing for little girls)
208. Erica ( A Yankee In Jawja ) Prolonging the life of your razor
209. A Simple Walk
210. A Simple Walk (folding kitchen towels)
211. Melonie at Momma & More (dumping computer clutter)
212. The Nourishing Gourmet (Irish Lamb Stew for St Patrick\'s Day)
213. Jamie (Use Freecycle)
214. Jolanthe (Monthly Meal Planning 2 Parts)
215. Homemaker\'s Cottage~ Finding Modest Maternity Clothing
216. Mandy (eating at Disney with kids)
217. It Coulda Been Worse (FREE TV and MOVIES)
218. MzZtErRy~~**KiDsLuNcH IdEaS**
219. Ann Kroeker (hanging washcloths in shower)
220. Melinda (apple wedger)
221. Passionate Homemaking (natural alternatives for household products)
222. Amber (P31) Bringing Good Home
223. Mrs. Nicklebee (Walking Strong Dogs)
224. Sabrina @ Raising Oaks of Righteousness
225. Lizzie (Quicker brown rice)
226. Janelle (keeping your marriage strong)
227. the Friendly Book Nook (reading comprehension)
228. Un-Domestic Mama( Free Photo software)
229. Suzville (frugal bread heel breakfast)
230. Kim (Not-So-Annual Big Birthday Bash)
231. Jacquelyn: Because I Said So! (kids make no-bake Buckeyes!)
232. Amanda (Mobile Convenient To Do List)
233. Melody (Gleen Cloth)
234. Abbey (Great Cake Idea)
235. Suzanne (Easy Compost)
236. Jenni@Sensible-Saving (FREE $25!)
237. Kim - Cooking Substitutions List
238. Cyn (help for ponytail holders)
239. Kisha @ Proud SAHM
240. Becky (Saving at the Grocery Store)
241. Tara (Ahoy, Matey! Pirate Party)
242. Lee (toddler tooth brushing)
243. Katrine (microwave cleaning)
244. Denise (Keeping your Sewing Organized)
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