This year Easter looked drastically different than what was planned. Typically we travel back to the farm to celebrate Easter with extended family. However COVID-19 led to canceling of those plans. While social distancing, our extended family was creative to help celebrate this holiday together.
Our first activity was a virtual egg drop via Zoom. Each participant was required to create an apparatus to protect an egg that is dropped from 10 feet. The apparatuses could be made out of no more than 50 popsicle sticks, 12 napkins, and rubber bands. There was all sorts of designing and scheming as to which configuration would be successful. Family took turns via Zoom dropping their eggs. The results... Oma - egg survived, Opa - egg did not, Avery - egg did not, Amelia - egg survived.
Victoria and I teamed up with a plan to use no popsicle sticks to avoid weighing down our egg. Our result.... the egg survived!
Micah and John paired up with a design to act as a fortress for the egg. Unfortunately this design did not project the egg enough.
Izzy used a combination of a parachute and protection with popsicle sticks. Her results... the egg survived.
John accurately measured 12 feet with onlookers having fun with our activity.
The next activity was a scavenger hunt between the Barkoudah and Dieckman households. Oma and Opa created a list of objects to find or actions to perform. The grandkids been executed the request. I am not sure who had more fun... The kids or parents who are watching. Activities included finding a right brown shoe and a left black shoe, finding a shirt with love on it, something with Nebraska on it, objects to begin with a certain letter, and even going outside to find a blade of grass. At the end the grandkids ended in a tie.
The final activity of the day was a Zoom Jeopardy game based off of the book of Exodus. This could have also been titled "The Ten Commandments" jeopardy. That is one of my favorite movies during the Easter holiday still to this day. Three teams were created by dividing each household. Teams took turns taking from categories. It was impressive to see even the youngest members being able to answer these questions correctly. Something must be soaking in when attending church.
Easter would not be the same without dying eggs. This year we did a combination of traditional colored water and markers. Some even combined the two.
Some in the family always has to go making two (or even three) toned dyed eggs.
Showing off our favorites.
John created a fun egg using yellow and orange crayons.
There were several worried questions the night before Easter about whether or not the Easter Bunny would come out due to COVID-19. Micah was the first up and promptly woke up his sisters after discovering the Easter Bunny came to the house. He appropriately performed social distancing by doing so.
Some items were a bit tricky to reach and required a bit of help.
One experience I was happy about was having the children participate in Lent. Most years this is not an option as they are at their father's on Wednesdays. However with social distancing they have remained with me. Lent and Sunday service have been held via live streaming. St. Luke's on Easter Sunday however was creative in having a parking lot service. Attendees lined their cars up facing the front of the church where an alter had been set up. Pastor Butler broadcasted via the radio. Even though we did not get out of her cars, it was sure fine to see familiar faces nearby.
John popped popcorn to enjoy during service as this reminded us of a drive-in movie theater.
Our COVDI-19 family Easter picture complete with 6 feet apart and cloth masks.
A more traditional family Easter picture.
Izzy requested a fancy hairstyle for Easter after receiving this barrette from the Easter Bunny.
John created a special Easter meal for the five of us.
I made an Easter inspired jelly roll with pink, blue, and lavender stripes.
Wrapping up Easter included an outside Easter egg hunt from mom and John. Each child found 11 of their identified colored eggs. Each also had a special large egg-containing instructions for their final prize. No one opened that egg until Micah as they thought there is only candy inside. Once they realized that the instruction was to run to the back of the condo, it was a made dash to see who could get there first.
Victoria and Micah with their special large eggs.
New scooters and a much needed bike were discovered outback. We have since gotten much use out of each.
