July 30th, 2017

With mild weekend temperatures, it was a (surprisingly) perfect July morning for a more in-depth exploration of the new adventure trails area at the zoo. Des surveying the lay of the land

He needed a bit of encouragement, but Des quickly acclimated to climbing the rope tunnels high over the park. They even made it strong enough for parents too (there was one other dad traversing)

Peek-a… Ella!

Des had no reservations this time getting arm deep in the pool to pet the stingrays. They were hungry and seeking attention.

Eleanor had to get in on the splashing

Desmond communing with the peafowl


Eleanor’s first train ride

It took a moment at gorillas to see what all the commotion was about, but clearly everyone was excited to see this little guy. Kgosi was born this past winter.

Ella trying to pet the penguins 🙂

These two just stared at each other for a while

At this point Des usually sprints through the tunnel to go see the jellyfish 

After nap, it’s time to class up the neighborhood with “running through the sprinklers in our underwear” time

Sure, why not

Dry baby

Des sucking down his first root beer float

Des runs off his spare energy around the block with mom and max

Meanwhile it’s Ella and daddy splash time

July 29th, 2017

Benson Days Parade, the one where Desmond turned candy beggar

Eleanor’s first parade, asleep regardless of the noise

World’s shortest piggy back ride

After an early lunch, we bumped into Liam and Viv with ma and pa. The cousins were waiting in line for face painting, so Des got his first paint job

He was very proud of his arm frog

While still a ways way from actually watching Star Wars, Des has been slowly introduced to the characters. Perhaps that’s why he’s getting more comfortable around the ubiquitous characters

Starting him young on the best car ever produced

July 28th, 2017

Liam and Viv came over for the evening. Goofiness ensued.

Liam was excited to play the first Mario game, once dad figured out the connections

They each played until “game over” and then switched. Des was on permanent player 2 duty, happily mashing buttons on the unused controller

July 26th, 2017

Did someone say, “pancakes?!”

July 25th, 2017

Sister is clearly teething again, so sleep is in 1.25-hour increments at night, and lucky to get 30 minutes at daycare. This afternoon she was pulling a few extra ZZZs before dad picker her up at daycare

July 24th, 2017

Des surveying his chalk art from earlier with ma

Visiting the caterpillar (found earlier) before bed

July 23rd, 2017

Eleanor, cruising the books like her brother

Napping with dad, à la Marty McFly, for nearly three hours

Dad

July 22nd, 2017

View from mom’s morning crunches

Breakfast with the family and the dinosaurs at Dixie Quicks for mom’s birthday

Checking out aunt Megan’s new truck with Liam and Viv

Pretty much everything still goes straight into the mouth

Des really likes his Cars book. Sister does too, but for a different reason.

Everything tastes better via chopsticks

Des (surprisingly) getting into the splashing mood after dinner

Proud of his stacking skills (and let’s face it, dad was too)