by Tessa Lemos

In our casa, the real joy on Easter Sunday came when you found a cascaron (confetti egg) in your hunt. And it wasn’t just for kids. Children and adults alike searched for these special eggs.

It is a Mexican tradition to sneak up on someone and break the cascaron above their head, showering them in confetti . Some believe it brings good luck. Some make a wish when the egg is cracked.

When we were kids, we all thought it was hilarious to surprise the victim and see them covered in confetti. Smashing cascarones provided a rare instance when the playing field was level. Children and adults were equal. Anyone could shower anyone with confetti because it was all in good fun.

We spent days preparing dozens of eggs all the while scheming how to get high enough to surprise a Tio and anticipating the look on his face. (If you smash it in your hand above their head, confetti sprinkles everywhere, but if you crack it directly onto their head, the sharp edges of the shells can hurt.)

As the years went on we went from filling the eggs with cut up pieces of tissue paper, to also emptying our hole punchers into the eggs, to adding glitter which stays in your hair forever.

With today’s craft supplies, you can get really creative with your confetti or dying technique.

Now, less than a week before Easter, is the perfect time to begin your cascaron preparation.

How to Make Cascarones

1. Take a small knife and poke a small opening in the tip of the egg.
2. Turn the egg upside down and drain it of the yolk and white.
3. Rinse the egg carefully to make sure all of the egg yolk and white are removed.
4. Turn the egg upside down and return it to the carton to dry completely. This usually takes a day or two.
5. Once the eggs are clean and dry, you can dye or decorate the outsides as you would normally decorate an easter egg.
6. Again, allow eggs to dry completely (for a day or two) so the confetti doesn’t stick to the shell.
7. Fill the eggs half full with confetti.
8. Cover the opening with a small piece of tissue paper.
9. Glue the edges of the tissue paper and allow it to dry completely.
10. Store the cascarones separate from the hard boiled Easter eggs.
11. Have fun surprising friends and family by cracking them over their heads.

For additional how-to, watch this step-by-step video below, then watch these students smash them and finally, check out the wonderful Kid’s Craft Weekly.

Tessa Lemos Del Pino is a Chicana who grew up in the Pacific Northwest. She is a lawyer by training, executive administrator by profession, and organizer by habit. You can read more of her writing on the Tiki Tiki and at Risk A Day. She lives in Nashville, TN.

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If you look up “busy” in the dictionary, you’re bound to find a photo of me, looking harried while I try to keep up with my own chosen lifestyle. Ironic, isn’t it? I totally wanted to stay home and homeschool my kids and live a busy and creative life and sometimes, well, I confess I get overwhelmed and that makes me unhappy.

I have notes upon notes and calendars upon calendars in both my computer and phone. They are synchronized with my kids’ and my own schedules. But because I’m pretty visual, I need something more.

A few years ago, I saw this beautiful wall-size calendar in a catalog and after lusting for it for a while, I thought, “I can do that.” So I did. =D

This is what’s happening this month at my house.

I love it because it’s totally MINE. And no two months ever look the same. Here’s how it works for us:

• I use photos to remind me of birthdays and other special events.
• Theater tickets can just be posted on the day of the event so they’re never lost.
• I can tack on postcard reminders for dentist appointments.
• There are class and recurring event reminders.
• Our list of library books and when they’re due goes up on the due date. No more late fees for us. (This was seriously a huge problem, but that’s not important right now.)
• I like to stretch a ribbon out to signify a vacation week.
• I use Photoshop to add words to photos and to create the Months, Days of the Week, and Numbers. That’s my personal choice, but any Word program will work.
• Sometimes I add other flourishes as the mood takes me. There are NO RULES. (This may just well be my new mantra.)
• Notice the Hidden Mickeys on the days we plan on going to Disneyland. (I know. Shut up.)

Here’s what you’ll need and how to do it:

1. Presentation board (particleboard is fine)- about 3/4 inch thick – 5′ x 3 3/4′
2. I covered it with 2 yds. broadcloth. And used a staple gun to tack down the back – tucking in the corners.
3. I measured 1/8″ ribbon to mark off days. And used the staple gun to attach to the back.
4. I used regular silver thumbtacks and pushed them in where the ribbons meet.
5. Then I used Photoshop to create month, numbers, etc. – I print them out each month on photo paper or cardstock.
6. I cut them out with a pair of scissors (no, I don’t get perfectionistic about that part). I just cut them out and tack them up and call it good enough.
7. At the end of each month, before I start printing the Month and Days for the next month, I usually take a photo which I print and put into a scrapbook. It’s a cool way to remember the stuff we’ve done each month.

Having everything right there where I can see it at a glance totally makes me happy.

And when Mama is happy . . . well, you know.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section.

Happy Scheduling! =D

******* We want to know your story! Share your cuentos, videos and fotos about growing up, and living Latino, in the U.S.How to contribute to the Tiki Tiki.Come on, no seas penosa!

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