April 18th

Hi All!

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather this week! I know I have been!

We were super blessed this week to have a little toddler equipment added to our backyard. Hopefully those of you with younger kiddos appreciate the new climbing area and slides! 

Just a reminder: There will be no co-op next Friday, April 25th as I will be out of town at a conference. Currently our last day of co-op is scheduled for May 9th. That might change to May 2nd, but it depends on the weather...I will stop hosting when the kiddos regularly begin complaining about the heat.  I will let you all know for sure. 

I realize that tomorrow is Good Friday, however, we typically don't celebrate Good Friday until the evening, so we are still planning to meet, though I definitely understand if you won't be able to make it because you want to keep that day sacred. 

I have posted this last year, but if you are unfamiliar with Good Friday, this whiteboard illustration gives a short explanation as to why many Christians call the Friday before Easter--or Resurrection Sunday as we call it in our home--Good Friday: Video. 

Also, in addition to studying the passages about Christ's death and Resurrection in the Bible, it is a tradition for me to read "The Tale of the Three Trees" to my children every Easter...and cry every single time (literally, EVERY time...my kids will tell you). The illustrated book I have is just beautiful.  (They also made it into a cartoon, for those who want to share it with your children that way: The Tale of the Three Trees Video).

I hope you all have a very blessed weekend!

Now for this week's activities...

From 10ish-Noon(ish) we will break into group activities:

Group A-- Ages 5-8

Because we ended up doing Martial Arts last week, you will officially be doing Project this week. This project does involve paint, so if that is an issue, make sure you bring appropriate clothing! 

Materials Needed: 

A water bottle to drink out of (if you think you may get thirsty)

Sunscreen...if you so desire. 

Clothes/shoes that you don't mind getting dirty.

Parents, if your little ones tend to wander, please stay close by. You are responsible for taking your child to the restroom or providing them with water if they get thirsty. Try to remind them that this is a group activity, and they should try to stick with their group as much as possible. That will really help keep things flowing smoothly for everyone. 💗

Group B--Ages 9-12

You will be doing Gardening this week. The garden is looking so very lovely right now. Come grow something fun and make it even lovelier! 

Materials Needed: 

• Sunscreen and Water Bottles...if you so desire. 
• And clothes/shoes that you don't mind getting dirty.
• Garden gloves if you think you want them.

Group C--Ages 13-18

You will be doing the P.E. this week. Originally you were supposed to do project this week, but because we were able to have martial arts for Group A last week, I decided to move you to P.E. Since it will be a beautiful day, I don't think you all will mind too much!

Materials Needed: 

• Athletic shoes of some sort
• A water bottle--if you think you'll want something to drink
• Sunscreen, if you so desire.
• A great attitude!  (That is mandatory!)
• 
  

Those teenagers that do not feel like participating in P.E.  are welcome to volunteer with Group A. Please NOTE: you WILL be put to work if you volunteer in that capacity! 

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Picnic Lunch

Everyone is welcome to stay and have a picnic lunch in the backyard area. You are responsible for bringing your own lunch. Please do not feed any animals with that lunch and please make sure all garbage is disposed of in the dumpster or garbage can.