Do you know the feeling of waking up and being greeted by something you’ve created? My daughter and I experienced it this morning and now, as I write, I’m watching her arrange our painted eggs in nests of cold porcelain. She’s admiring one, complimenting another, and smiling a sweet smile. And I smile, knowing the extra effort was worth it.   

Easter in China could just sail by. There are no bunnies decorating the stores and while I may find Easter eggs, if I hunt hard enough, they are not begging to be bought. 

Yet this presents an opportunity. I’m learning that with some planning, I can shape the holiday how I want it to be. For me, that means creating and making memories.

I suggested to my daughter that we paint eggs together but she said, “Let’s make clay eggs.” 

And here they are.

She came up with this idea herself.

And I tried it out too, with a little help. 

I put a Chinese twist on my Easter eggs and barnyard birds, including characters for Life and Spring.

Making the tiny eggs was fun, and forming birds from a lump of clay was more satisfying than I could have imagined. 

I hope to make more birds, but I don’t know when because our next project, one we’ve already started, follows an Under The Sea theme for my daughter’s upcoming birthday party, which she’s been planning ahead for – since the day after her last birthday.

Apparently she’s already learning what I am just now implementing.