Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, Latino-Inspired Arts, Crafts, Games, Food for Catholics

Cinco de Mayo--"fifth of May" in Spanish--celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Pueblo. It's not the Mexican independence day though it sounds like the U.S. 4th of July. My Latino friends tell me Cinco de Mayo isn't as big in Mexico as in the U.S. Latinos make up a huge portion of the Catholic church. Our new Pope Francis hails from Argentina (hi @pontifex --love you--from @marilisa616)  Our beloved Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico. Definitely time for us Catholics need to get in touch with our Spanish, Mexican, South and Central American roots. So how about a fiesta? Here's are kid-friendly Cinco de Mayo games, crafts, lesson plans, cultural activities and food! Kid-Friendly Cinco de Mayo Fiesta With Latino-Inspired Games, Crafts, Food

Free Printable Eastertide Crafts, Activities, Decorations

We Catholics and Orthodox have just completed Lent and celebrated Easter. But it's not over in one day for us. As with Christmas, we get to enjoy a season of Easter. As homeschoolers, we were just getting started with Eastertide when the secular world was tossing out the Easter decorations. Here are free printable crafts to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. After the sadness of Good Friday and Holy Thursday, we look forward to newness of life. These activities are good for Earth Day, Memorial Day and spring.   Free Printable Easter Crafts, Activities, Decorations 

Free Printable Holy Week Activities for Palm Sunday to Easter

 Holy Week, the week preceding Easter, begins on Palm Sunday of the liturgical church year. Holy Week is the culmination of Lent. The Easter Triduum, consisting of Maundy or Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday bring christians to the highest point in the church year, Easter. Holy Week is also referred to as the Passion or Paschal celebration. Free Printable Holy Week Activities

Catholic Lenten Fasting Ideas for Kids, Corporal and Spiritual Fasts

Giving things up for Lent is about more than just not eating meat. During this 40-day period, we follow Christ's temptation in the desert, ending with Holy Week and passion, death and resurrection at Easter. During Lent we fast in imitation of Christ. Here are tips to teach kids why we give things up and how to sacrifice. Suggestions include corporal and spiritual fasts plus good habits to replace them with. Picture is my Lenten Kitchen vegan chili recipe. Catholic Lenten Fasting Ideas for Kids