Passover for Christians

(in)courage | daily devotional for women:

'via Blog this'

I read this today and thought what a lovely and meaningful tradition to do with older children. It's a meaningful way to teach the Old Testament story of Moses and the Chosen People being freed from slavery in Egypt, and fleeing to the Promised Land. It also ties in the New Testament and Jesus Christ's Last Supper and death on the Cross to free us from sin and give us life with Him for eternity.

Sunshine

http://www.theskinspecialist.com/

"Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows," "the sun 'il come out tomorrow," "you are my sunshine". Well finally we do have some brilliant sunshine after many days of grey and cold. Temps to get to 40 today and a little higher the rest of the week.

I love sunshine when it's cool outside. Or I'm inside with air conditioning. Yes, I'm a fickle sunshine lover. When it's summer and hot, I avoid the sun at all costs. One cost being skin cancer. Over 25 years ago I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Ever since then I keep out of the sun except when it's cool and I can wear long sleeves or be in good shade, or it's early or late in the day before the sun gets to the most dangerous hours (for skin).

When I see parents strolling their little ones in the sunshine without a sun hat or baby sun glasses or even a good canopy I flinch. Babies need to be protected from the sun, as do all toddlers and kids and, well, everyone. [for complete information go to www.skincancer.org]

Sunscreen for babies is a must. There are great sun hats that even cover the back of the neck. And I was so happy with my daughter who bought a one piece swim suit with short sleeves for our oldest grandson when he first went to the beach and out in the baby pool. And if your stroller canopy does not cover your child sufficiently (like mine) you can order this cool extra shade: RayShade by Summer. I ordered it and it works great on our stroller's canopy. It's very adaptable so I can see it working on many types of strollers.

There are several on-line companies where you can buy sun-protective clothing. Here are a couple:  coolibar.com, sunprecautions.com, solartex.com.

So parents and grandparents, please provide your little ones with sun protection for the rest of their lives. With the thinning of the Ozone skin cancers will only rise in number. It's a preventable cancer. Please prevent it!

Like a Lion

The saying goes something like this: if March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb. Well, March in Missouri and much of the rest of the country has entered as a lion, full of fury and snow. Lots of snow. We had two snow storms the last part of February with about 19" of snow total. Schools here had four snow days. Following those snows we've had a couple days of light snow dustings or flurries. We need the moisture since we've been in a severe drought. Yet I'll admit even I, a snow and winter lover, am ready for spring! 

Today our Minnesota daughter called and they were getting a big snow. So much snow that a snow day was called for their schools, which is very unusual. Minnesota has a history of lots of snow and they cope rather well with it from what we hear and read. Our younger daughter was a substitute elementary teacher in the Twin Cities for a year and told us about getting little kindergartners or first graders dressed in their snow suits, boots, and mittens for outside recess. 

Our north-land daughter and 3-year old grandson get out and play in the snow. She reports he has a fit getting into his snowsuit, but then loves it outside and then she has a tough time getting him back inside. Isn't that the way it goes?!

Little grandson in town was not at all impressed with the snow. We brought a pan of snow in for him to touch and try, and after barely putting a finger in (that did go to his mouth) he got fussy and that was that. A friend sat her 9-month-old twins down in the snow and they both cried as well. Kids need to be a little older to enjoy playing in the snow.

In Columbia we have lots of hills for sledding. Our daughters could sled on our street or go to their nearby elementary school to sled. I even went down the big school hill once with them and we barely avoided hitting a big tree trunk. 

So back to being tired of snow. Yes, I am now looking at our decks, both partly covered with birdseed and sunflower shells from our two feeders, and thinking of cleaning them as soon as the snow melts. There are many bushes to prune too. And the Christmas decor by our front door, well that must come down now, finally. Enough of winter. Spring is near and my work is cut out for me. Even daylight savings time begins this Sunday, March 10. Cheers to spring, and March leaving like a lamb.