By Megan Lardie
Easter is a special holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. One of the unique things about Easter is that it does not fall on the same date every year like Christmas. This might seem a little strange, but there’s an interesting reason behind it! Easter is based on both the solar calendar and the lunar calendar, which means it is linked to the phases of the moon and the position of the sun.
The date of Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. The spring equinox is usually around March 20th or 21st, which is the time when there is equal day and night.
After this date, we wait for the next full moon, and then Easter is celebrated on the following Sunday. Because the full moon can change each year, the date of Easter changes, too! This means that Easter can be celebrated as early as March 22nd, or as late as April 25th.
You might notice that other holidays like Christmas always fall on the same date, but Easter’s changing date is what makes it special. This way of determining Easter’s date has been around for a long time and helps to keep the holiday tied to the changing seasons and the natural rhythms of the Earth. So, next time you celebrate Easter, you’ll know that the date has been carefully chosen to match the cycles of the moon and the arrival of spring!
Kids in the Kitchen: No-Bake Chocolate Wonderland
Ingredients:
Directions:
For the Crust:
2 ½ cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Chocolate Layer:
1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix 2 cups cold milk
For the Creamy Layer:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups whipped topping (Cool Whip)
For Garnishing:
1 cup pastel candy-coated chocolate eggs
¼ cup colorful sprinkles
Extra crushed cookies for topping
Prepare the Crust
• In a bowl, mix crushed cookies and melted butter until combined.
• Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch dish.
• Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
Make the Chocolate Layer
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes, until thickened.
• Spread evenly over the chilled crust.
Make the Creamy Layer
• In another bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Gently fold in whipped topping until fluffy.
• Spread evenly over the chocolate layer.
Literature Corner
If My Moon Was Your Sun
By: Andreas Steinhöfel
Did you hear about the boy who kidnapped his grandfather from the nursing home? Max’s grandfather is losing his memory. Max skipped school to rescue his grandpa and start out on one of their best days ever. Find out all about their adventures! For ages 6-12, 80 pages.
Hidden Figures
By: Margot Lee Shetterly
Before anyone orbited Earth or walked on the moon, a group of African American female mathematicians nicknamed “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets and astronauts into space.
Lardie’s Laughs
Q. What do rabbits say before they eat?
A. Lettuce pray!
Q. What do you call a line a rabbits jumping backwards?
A. A receding hare-line!
Gab in Gaelic
Happy Easter! = Beannachtai na Casca ort! (pron: bannockt/tee nah coss-kah urt)
