The Story of the Easter Bunny

The symbol of the Easter Bunny originally came from the pagan festival of Eastre or Eostre – the goddess of fertility. This festival celebrated replenishment, rebirth, the renewal of life, and spring. The consort of Eastre was the symbol of fertility, a hare. According to some stories, Eastre gave the hare the ability to lay colorful eggs (an ancient symbol of fertility) once a year.
In Germany it was believed that the Hare would lay colorful eggs to all the well behaved children who had left a nest for the animal. The children would build their nests in secluded places out of their bonnets or caps and excitedly await the arrival of the “Oschter Haws”. It is believed that the Germans brought this tradition with them as they migrated to North America during the 18th century. However the celebration of Easter and the rabbit were not widely celebrated in America until after the Civil War.
As time passed, the traditional took on some new forms and by 19th century America the Easter Hare morphed into the Easter Bunny and children’s nests of caps and bonnets became baskets which are now filled with more than just colorful eggs. Baskets now include chocolate candies, jelly beans, marshmallow peeps and other assorted goodies. And the holiday is celebrated by Christians and Non-Christians alike as a celebration of life and spring.

Horton Hears a Who

In case you are wondering Horton is not like the past two theatrical adaptations of Dr. Suess classics. The most obvious difference is that Horton unlike The Grinch and the Cat and the Hat is Animated. Secondly Horton stays close to the actual story and limits the topical references (although there is a Japanamation/Pokemon Segment [I found it quite funny]).

The Whos characters are a little more developed than in the story. Overall we really enjoyed the movie and it held my 3 and 1/2 year olds attention the whole time.

Rated: G Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
Genres: Kids/Family, Animation and Adaptation

Check out Movie Trailers and more

Reading to your Kids

I was recently on a flight and on the way to my seat there was a mom reading a Curious George book to her daughter. I was waiting to get to my seat so I was around to hear a few pages. In that time I was able to get a sense of the connection that was created during telling of the story. The mom changing her tone and inflection for the different characters. The little girl reacting to the story being told to her. In this blog I have covered a lot of activities to do with your kids but I think one of the most important ones can be the simple act of reading to a child. Sharing a story and a moment together Just the two of you no matter no how many people are around.

Easter Activities

Rutherford NJ ANNUAL EGG HUNT --

Sunday, March 16th Tryon Field at Memorial - 1:00 p.m. for K - 3rd grade and 1:30 p.m. for 2 yrs - pre-K For Directions Click Here


Montclair Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 15 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Families are invited to the Annual Spring Egg Hunt. Children ages three to five are invited from 2:00 to 3:00 PM and children ages six to eight are invited from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Children are encouraged to bring their own basket to collect the eggs. Eggs will be hidden throughout the property, filled with special treats to celebrate the coming of spring. Every child will also receive a ticket worth 75 cents off in the Historical Society’s Museum Shop, which will be open for shopping. Advance registration is required but the event is free. Sponsored by the Speertown Kiwanis Club of Upper Montclair. Location: Crane House Museum grounds.

Franklin Lakes Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 15, 2008The Recreation and Parks Department is hosting the 2008 Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 15th at 11am at the Recreation Complex located at 1 Vichiconti Way (off Pulis Avenue). The event is limited to Franklin Lakes children from toddlers to Grade 3 and includes an egg hunt and visit with Peter Rabbit. Please bring your own basket and camera.

Hackensack Easter Egg Hunt Monday March 17th 4:00 PM
65 CENTRAL AVENUE 201-646-8042

Garden State Plaza NJ

Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny! He will be in Lord & Taylor court from Friday, February 29 - Saturday, March 22 from 10a.m.-9p.m. with a carrot break from 1-2p.m. and 5-6p.m.

Bronx Zoo Eggstreme Weekend March 22–23 Bella the costume Bunny wants you to hop on over to the Bronx Zoo for a weekend of egg races, egg hunts, storytelling, and a guaranteed eggciting time.

The Annual Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival
On Easter Sunday, (March 23, 2008) you have the opportunity to see Easter bonnets to the New York City extreme as "paraders" wander along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets. The area around St. Patrick's Cathedral is the ideal place to see the parade. The Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
What You Should Know About the Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet FestivalUnlike most New York City Parades, the Easter Parade is a far less organized event. From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. the area along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets is closed to vehicular traffic, and folks wander the street admiring various Easter Bonnets and Easter outfits. Visitors in town during Easter will enjoy stopping by the area for a bit during the festivities, but seeing the various Easter bonnets and costumed pets is probably only worth a short visit.

Mount Olive Easter Egg Hunt This year's Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday, March 9th, 2008 in Turkey Brook Park on Flanders Road, Budd Lake, New Jersey.

Hippity, hop - The Easter Bunny is coming to Jefferson!
Enough with winter, let’s think spring because the Easter Bunny has scheduled a visit to Jefferson Township to coincide with the Recreation Department’s 14th annual Egg Hunt on March 15 at the Jefferson Township Middle School field (behind the school) at 1000 Weldon Road. If there is inclement weather, the event will be moved into the school’s gym.
This event will take place after the GFWC Jr. Woman’s Club’s 27th annual Bunny Brunch being held at the Jefferson Township High School cafeteria.
The Egg Hunt is open to all children up to 9 years of age at the following time intervals - ages 3 and under at 12:30 p.m., ages 4 to 6 at 12:50 p.m., and ages 7 to 9 at 1:10 p.m. Each child should bring his/her own basket to collect the eggs, and there will be a maximum of ten eggs allowed per basket. Look for the special prize-winning eggs in each age group!
There will be opportunities to take photographs with the Easter Bunny, so parents should be sure to bring a camera. Everyone is also encouraged to stop by the Jefferson Township Middle School Student Council/Red Cross Clubs’ Bake Sale table. All proceeds will benefit an area charity.
There is no admission charge to participate. For information, call the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404 or visit http://www.jeffersontownship.net/

Discounts for Family Portrait at Sears

Earlier this year I was at my grandparents house and really enjoyed looking at all the pictures they had on the wall of all their grandchildren from different ages group pictures from family get-togethers, and pictures of them from when they were younger. Pictures have the ability to evoke vivid memories and transport us back to that moment in time.

• 10 Portrait Sheets only $50! (reg. $79.90) PLUS, get 25% off any additional purchases Get coupon at Coupon-1
OR
• 20 Portrait Sheets only $70! (reg. $159.80) PLUS, get 25% off any additional purchases Get coupon at Coupon-2
Make your appointment online at http://searsportrait.com/cpi/en-US/locations/ or call 1-888-PORTRAIT

BY POPULAR DEMAND, THE CIRCUS RETURNS TO THE IZOD CENTER APRIL 9 - 13 AND YOU CAN GET TICKETS FOR A SPECIAL PRICE!

SPECIAL SAVINGS $17.50 - Lower Level (regularly $28)
$12.50 - Upper Level (regularly $20 & $15)
Valid for April 9, 10, & 11 7:30 PM performances.
USE CODE: CIRCUS
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents OVER THE TOP, a wacky and whimsical circus spectacular where dogs fly, Asian elephants skip, hop, and groove and one courageous man stands eye-to-eye with a pack of powerful Bengal tigers. Circus Celebrities help rev-up the motorcycle madness featuring one cycle on a high wire and seven speeding riders in a Globe of Steel. Extraordinary aerial acts fill the arena sky with a rare double-decker trapeze and Chinese acrobats propelling through the air. And with the audience participation, this circus really goes OVER THE TOP.
VISIT THE ALL-ACCESS PRE-SHOWIf you've ever dreamed of joining the circus, then our FREE All Access Pre-show is your chance and you don't even have to run away! Step onto the all-new open arena floor for the All Access Pre-show, FREE to every ticket holder, one hour before most performances.** See animals up close, visit with performers, get autographs, try on costumes, and enjoy the circus fun.
**No pre-show events prior to 4/10 - 10:30 AM school performance.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS (If link is not active, go to meadowlands.com)

Ringling Bros Circus Promo Code: TIGER for April Shows at the Izod Center

Going to the Circus

The Circus is in town The Greatest Show on Earth Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey's
I was 5 when I went to this circus and I still remember it pretty vividly. The Metal Sphere with a motor cycle riding inside the Tigers and Elephants, and of course the trapeze. It was a very memorable and fun day. Now I am planning on taking my daughter So I decided to see if there were some activities we could do to get psyched up for our Day at the circus.
Here are some things I found:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/circus/index.html - You can put these crafts together anytime. Some possible times to do them is before or after a trip to the real circus or for a birthday party with a circus theme.

http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/circus.html - Some Songs and Activities to do related to the Circus.

http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/jojoscircus/index.html - Disneys JoJo's Circus

Birju goes to the Circus - Story about the Circus in which you can make up your own ending and read other submitted endings.
Books at Amazon - Childrens books about the Circus

http://www.barnum-museum.org/ - More for the parent but interesting

Miss Hopes Trip to Mexico

Squeaky the racoon and Miss Hope followed the Bergen County Community College Child Development Centers Monarch Butterflies to Mexico
Click below to read all about.
http://www.misshope.com/mexico2008

Kid Friendly Businesses Part Deux

Kids Workshops are free "How-To Clinics" designed for children ages 5-12. The workshops are offered on the first Saturday of each month between 9:00 a.m. and noon at all The Home Depot stores. Children accompanied by an adult construct projects from pre-fabricated kits. The kits are designed to be both educational and practical.
The Home Depot's Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.
The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.
In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.
Fun Facts
Since 1997, 12 million projects have been built at Kids Workshops
More than 750,000 children built their first toolbox at The Home Depot
Nearly 600,000 birdhouses have been constructed at Kids Workshops
More than 290,000 children have built a step stool at Kids Workshops to help them reach higher 75 children per store attend a Kids Workshop on average while many stores have 200 kids attend regularly
Find Kids Workshops at Your Local Store

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