Claire, an au pair from South Africa, recently shared her story about experiencing Easter in the U.S. but missing holiday traditions back home. So what did she do? Take part of new traditions with her host family, while still incorporating a little bit of home. Read about her first Easter in the U.S., and her amazing crafts and cooking too!
So it’s Easter week and I haven’t exactly been feeling spring flowers and fluffy cotton tails about it. In fact I’ve been a bit of a grouch, which is odd considering my love of celebrations. I miss all my favorite South African Easter treats like hens eggs and hot cross buns. I haven’t stuffed myself beyond capacity with marshmallow eggs (admit it South Africans, you know what I’m talking about). My sister won’t be here to hide eggs around my room on Sunday. I miss these things.
But today was a chance to try a new Easter activity after my host mom bought some egg-dying kits for the boys, and a minion one just for me! So we got colorful and creative and that was just what I needed to chase the grumps away.
After experimenting with coloring (and a lunch break at the park while they dried) we started decorating with the sticker kits. Benjamin made these adorable pirates and Harrison put together some circus animals.
And my minions are just the cutest ever! How long do you think I can keep boiled eggs for? Because I want them forever!
So maybe I’m missing out on a few traditions I’m used to, but I’m also finding new ones. I guess all I needed was an attitude change and a shift of focus. And in that I find my joy again, after all Easter is a celebration of new life and life in abundance.
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All of which resulted in a wonderful Easter weekend! Here are some highlights…
I had great fun with the boys and baked these cute spring chick cupcakes. Granted, I went against everything I believe about baking and used a box mix, but I did appreciate the way the illustrated instructions provided opportunities for developing pre-reading skills (once a teacher, always a teacher!). We took the cupcakes to a friend’s Easter picnic and egg hunt, where the boys had a ball, and were (as always) adorable.
My little craft project for the week was making these little bunnies for the boys. I’m excited that my rather limited crochet skills are growing, I whipped these up in just one episode of New Girl!
On Sunday, the Easter bunny came and he was kind enough to wait until I got back from church before sending the boys on their egg hunt. And would you believe it, he left me an Easter basket too! The Easter bunny also knew to put marshmallow eggs, a Starbucks voucher and Reese’s in my purple basket! (My host mom must have whispered in his ear, she’s too kind!).
I made my much anticipated batch of hot cross buns and they tasted like home! A small feat considering it was my first attempt, ever!
How did you celebrate Easter, Passover or spring? Tell us about new traditions you are learning, and how you share traditions from back home! Leave a comment or connect with us on Twitter @aupairinamerica.
