Here's how to make those cute jelly bean filled carrots I always see at the store this time of year. 

MATERIALS:

Disposable clear plastic icing bags

Orange jelly beans

Scissors

Green tissue paper

Twist ties

Time needed: Under 1 Hour 

1. Fill an icing bag with orange jelly beans, leaving at least 3 inches unfilled at the top.

2. Cut out two 8-inch squares of green tissue paper and lay one on top of the other.

3. Pick up the squares from the center and give them a little twist so you have a cone-shaped carrot top.

4. Place the tissue, twisted end down, into the bag.

5. Gather the bag at the top of the jelly beans and secure with a twist tie, wrapping the tie around the "stem" of the tissue paper, so the greenery sticks out of the top.

And don't forget the Bead Bunnies at every place setting!

But before all this, you must try the cooking project that refects and teaches our little ones (and us) the reason for our celebration.

Easter Story Cookies

Ingredients

1cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

(this is important--don't wait til you're half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.

Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died
because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.
The cookies are hollow!

On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were
amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9

Happy Easter Everyone!