Ever changing

Ella's outdoor play area changes as she changes.  We started out with a natural playscape under the Wisteria-shaded arbor back in Spring/Summer 2011...

Miss Ella Goes Green Fall 2011 http://cyndi-ella.blogspot.com/2011/09/miss-ella-goes-green.html

Spring 2012

We loved the new "green" look back in the Fall, but the mosquitos limited her playtime in the grassy area; and, the elements weren't kind to her uncovered kitchen.  This year, we gave the kitchen a fresh coat of green and moved it under cover. This new locale should extend the life of her thrift-store, make-shift kitchen and give her more hours of playtime.  

You can't see from these pictures, but behind the green kitchen area are pots of fragrant herbs for garnishing her mud pies.  And the former kitchen area has plenty of dirt, sand and pea gravel to use as ingredients!

It's no surprise that Ella likes to help me with projects, but I had to do what any toddler mom has to do to get anything done:  finish the job once she was asleep, by the light of the moon porch light and a few candles.

Speaking of ever changing...

Spring 2011

Spring 2012

What a difference a year makes...change is good!