Our Resurrection Basket (aka "Kicking the Bunny to the Curb")

This is cute...

...but utterly meaningless.

Unless of course you believe in the big fluffy rabbit who spreads tooth decay, diabetes, and childhood obesity with every cute little bunny hop.  

Being that we're a little over a week away from Easter Sunday, I decided to share with you some of the ways in which we intend to force Mr. Rabbit out of the picture and actually celebrate Jesus' resurrection on Easter.  So I did a little research, a little online and in store shopping, and this is what I came up with to create a Resurrection Basket for Noah: 

First, I grabbed a simple basket.  I didn't want one that was overly ornate or had frilly polky dots and such (why is it that practically all Easter baskets look so darn girly anyway?), and this one reminded me a little of the crown of thorns.

I then filled it with red confetti to symbolize the blood Christ shed on the Cross.

Next, I located two olive wood crosses that come with their own little red velvet pouch.  Aside from their obvious significance, I wanted a matching set for Noah and Chris to hold when they're apart...for love, comfort, and faith.   

And just like in communion, the animals crackers represent the body of Christ...

...the grape juice...His blood.

The lollipops symbolize the three nails driven into Christ's hands and feet.

I picked out some of Noah's favorite bath drops and combined it with a pouf and Lightening McQueen Magic Bath Towel (since I bet Jesus is a huge fan of the movie Cars) to symbolize the washing of Christ's body before it was placed in the tomb.

The empty egg signifies the empty tomb and the bubbles are for his ascension into Heaven.

And just how ADORABLE is this little lamb!!!  I did not overpay for him at all.

To make the pieces a little easier to understand, I bought this fantastic DVD of the Easter Story and coupled it with Benjamin's Box - one boy's story of Holy Week from his perspective.  I'm hoping that this book along with making our own Resurrection eggs (seen here) will become a lasting tradition in our family.

Here's a photo of the finished product.  Hopefully, Noah will delight in it as much as I enjoyed putting it together and get the real meaning of Easter in the process.  If not, I've got a stash of candy ready to bribe him into loving it.