Palm Sunday

 :  :  :  :  : Reading from Matthew :  :  :  :  :  

 :  :  :  :  :  Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey  :  :  :  :  :  

:  :  :  :  :  Hosanna :  :  :  :  : 

:  :  :  :  :  The Cross foretelling the suffering that awaits :  :  :  :  :  

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!

The Wonder of Easter

Telling Ella the Easter story with Resurrection Eggs: 

 Three more left...

Egg #1 - Little Donkey (Matthew 21:1b-3, 6-8)

Egg #2 - Silver Coins (Matthew 26:14-16) 

Egg #3 - Cup (Matthew 26:27-28)

Egg #4 - Praying Hands (Mark 14:32-34)

Egg #5 - Leather Whip (John 19:1) 

Egg #6 - Crown of Thorns (Matthew 27:27-29)

Egg #7 - Nails in the Cross (John 19:16b-18)

Egg #8 - Die (John 19:23-24)

Egg #9 - Spear (John 19:32-34)

Egg #10 - Linen Cloth (Matthew 27:57-60)

Egg #11 - Stone (Matthew 28:2-4)

Egg #12 - Empty (Matthew 28:5-6)

He is alive!

Discovery

Today was a day of discovery for Ella.  She discovered how some fruits and veggies can be used as natural dyes for Easter eggs.  She discovered the stories behind the donkey and coins in our Resurrection Eggs, and she discovered that saying, "may I" instead of "give me" is much more effective.  

Discovery:  Snacking makes waiting a whole lot easier

Smelling the raspberry tea before boiling

Whoever discovered using a whisk was a genius

She's puzzled why the eggs aren't changing color.  Mom's discovery:  forgot to add the vinegar.

Wish I would have had purple cabbage on hand for a Robin's egg blue color, but next year. 

Donkey:  Jesus is the Prince of Peace

Coins:  For a mere 30 silver coins, Judas went off to betray Jesus

Ella kisses make mommy the "Happiest Girl in the Whole USA."

"Skip-a-dee-doo-dah thank you Lord for making her for me."


So Blessed!