Flat Ella's Visit

Picking up the mail is always a special event, but on this particular day at the end of April, we got an extra special surprise in the mail. Flat Ella from Montana had come for a visit! Our goddaughter is in kindergarten this year, and their class made flat creations of themselves, patterned after the kids' book Flat Stanley. The kindergartners sent themselves all over the country. How honored we were that Ella had chosen to send her flat self to visit us!

With all the flooding that we had been getting in Houston lately, much of our mail that day was wet. Thankfully, Flat Ella arrived safely and was perfectly dry! Right away, Jaden and Cody started calling their new friend "Ella from Montana" to distinguish her from another friend Ella in our Bible study small group. The boys were very excited to play with Flat Ella. So, they showed her our Cozy Coupe outside.

Flat Ella just barely fit inside the car! Jaden decided to give Flat Ella a little ride. Unfortunately, he drove the car a little too fast and caused a bit of an accident...

Oh, no!

Thankfully, Flat Ella's injury was easy to fix. With a bit of tape, we had Flat Ella back to (almost) new in no time!

After that adventure, we decided to make our playtime with Flat Ella a little calmer. :)

We played some quieter games inside. Jaden showed Flat Ella his cars and his magnatiles. Flat Ella even built a small house! 

Cody and Flat Ella worked on a Lite Brite picture together.

The next morning, Flat Ella went on some errands with Jason, Jaden, and Cody. Jason even let Flat Ella ride shotgun!

One of Jason's errands was an especially silly one. He had to visit the dry cleaners to pick up some special costumes that belong to our church. Flat Ella really liked the minion.

Can you distinguish Jaden and Cody in the picture below? :)

Back at home, the whole family had lunch together. Flat Ella enjoyed her peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

After lunch, Jaden, Cody, and Flat Ella played around on the piano.

Then Flat Ella read a story to the boys before their rest time.

The next day, our family went to a cook-off event at the Lutheran High School near us where Uncle Jon and Uncle Matt work. Amy thought it might be a little safer for Flat Ella to sit in the back seat this time. :)

At the event, we got to dunk the principal in a dunk tank, jump in bouncy houses, and eat some yummy barbecue.

It was a full weekend of activities for Flat Ella. She was really tired out and ready for a long rest by the end! Flat Ella slept on the top bunk of Jaden and Cody's bunk beds since they aren't old enough to use the top bunk yet.

We enjoyed Flat Ella's visit to Texas so much! We hope she comes again soon and brings her whole family to visit.

Good night, dear Ella!