Our golden shoes.

This weekend we celebrated Easter, and it was our best yet. Easter egg hunts, cake decorating, a wonderful morning at church, candy eating, family gathering and really, really great memories.

One activity we did I think will turn into a yearly tradition: reading of “The Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes”.

(If this book is new to you, here is the one sentence recap: A country bunny with 21 children to tend to, is able to maintain her status as one of the 5 Easter bunnies, because of her mothering skills in the home, and the extra help of a special pair of magical golden shoes. Message: As long as you always try your best, you will get the help you need to do great things.)

My children have read this before, and my husband and I grew up on this story. It is one of my ALL TIME favorites. But this year, we made it even more special.

On Easter Eve, we walked over to my Grandmother’s house where she was waiting for us…ready to read her very own copy of this story (she is the Country Bunny to a “T”). She read it aloud in her own words (which we audio recorded) and then at the end, I pulled out a wrapped box with a real pair of golden shoes to hang up on the wall as a reminder of the amazing message in this book. The kids were tickled to think they had their very own pair to look at.

I wish I could have posted this before Easter, but alas…it was a last minute idea. I had bought a pair of old vintage toddler shoes at an antique store years ago, and I spray painted them gold. I laced them up with leather lacing, and VOILA. A family heirloom to pull out every Easter.

If you haven’t ever read this book, you may be a bit confused. You need to go read it…it is worth reading ANY time of the year!

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  • http://www.number17cherrytreelane.wordpress.com Cherry Tree Lane

    Now I am so curious about this book! I need to read it!

  • http://www.patternandperspective.blogspot.com Joyce

    Yep, probably will need to read it. Got my package today. Thanks!

  • http://thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/ another amy

    We read that book yesterday for the first time in a long time. I love the perspective reading it as a mother now. The reminder you can be a mother AND follow your dreams. If only I could have my children as well trained as Little Cottontail Mother does . . .

  • http://www.chadandalison.blogspot.com liso

    so absolutely sweet – what a great idea! i’ve loved that book since i was a little girl. it was my very first hardcover book, so it made me feel very, very grown up. thanks for the wonderful idea!

  • Tiffany

    I loved that book growing up! I think of it every Easter. What a great idea to have your own golden shoes – you are such a creative mom!

  • http://www.sayyestohoboken.com liz stanley

    LOVE that book! grew up reading it as well, couldn’t think of the name, thanks for reminding me!

  • http://www.sarahjanestudios.com/blog sarah jane

    This book is a gem! if you haven’t read it yet…you need to grab it at the library. And the illustrations are precious. published in 1939 I believe. Love it!

  • http://barefootintheorchard.blogspot.com/ Sabina

    How wonderful.

  • http://richardsonshine.blogspot.com/ Julie

    What a sweet idea! My kids love this book as well…I’ve have to remember this for next Easter ,because I’m not into having tons of holiday decor around the house. But that would be something small and meaningful.

  • http://www.connectingthedots.dk Astridq

    What a beautiful blog you have here – I love your illustrations, and your children are just adorable! I will most certainly return! :)

  • http://www.createbyret.blogspot.com Rachel / cREaTe

    sooooooooooo neat sarah! i’ve never heard of that book. i’ll have to track down a copy. i love that you got an audio of your grandma reading it. so special. and spray painting the baby shoes? BRILLIANT! [i myself LOVE a good can of spray paint]

    by the way… i’ve never really seen too much of a resemblance between addie & ian … but that 1st photo of addie, i can totally see ian! they are TOO CUTE. i’m loving addie’s hair cut!

  • http://winksmith.blogspot.com Diana

    Way cute idea! That story is great too and I am glad that your children get to hear such classic stories!

  • http://www.graciousrain.com Launi

    I adore this book. I have a very old copy from when I was small. It’s a perfect story. Thanks for reminding us of it.

  • Jaz

    Hello sarah, I couldn’t help but ask, what type of gold spray paint did you use for the shoes? I really love it! they look so adorable I’d like to try and make a pair for my little nephew :)

  • KWH

    Sarah, Thank you for the wonderful Idea about the shoes… I’ll be looking for the next year until I find a pair… I have love this book forever thank you for making it even more wonderful… Karen H

  • http://mayamade.blogspot.com/ mayaluna

    Sarah,
    I’m so happy to have discovered your blog via Amanda (soulemama) today! This is one of my all time favorite books and I’m in love with your idea of creating your own pair of gold shoes to hang from the wall… as a wonderful reminder! I think you may like my childhood Easter tradition I posted about last week:
    http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2009/04/guest-post-grandma-bunny.html
    I’m looking forward to looking back through your archives and following along from now on!
    ~maya

  • magpie

    Sarah,
    I loved hearing about another mom making this beautiful book a family treasure. My sister and I had it read to us as kids and both continue the tradition with our children.
    Happy Easter and an early Mother’s Day to you & yours,
    Margaret

  • http://3sillygoosemonkeys.blogspot.com Amy

    i LOVE this book ~ and so sad i couldn’t find my copy of it this easter…..LOVE the idea for the golden shoes….so creative and fun :) thanks for sharing! :)

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    your site has a strong visual impact and color information, the language is brief and it is easy for info has a quick disseminates, l like this style, thanks for great work

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