May 22nd, 2018

Random evening potting hanging baskets with the begonias

Desmond kept busy proactively filling cups with the planting soil

Even with the extra help, all the plants made it successfully into their respective baskets

May 21st, 2018

Eleanor wasn’t sure what to think about sprinkler during the spring activation. She initially appears to be open-minded

But then is somehow surprised–and dismayed–at getting wet

Sister trying to wave brother off from drinking from the sprinkler head

What a boy wants…

“EEE!!!”

Eleanor exhibiting signs of brother’s bad habit of sleeping on top of his stuffed animals

May 20th, 2018

Eleanor lounges at the start of an unusually cool, and slightly drizzly, farmers market

A post-nap viewing of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

She totally has the hang of the froggy blanket

Clutching her llama and bunny, Ella apparently wasn’t quite ready to go to sleep

…but quickly passed out with her pals

May 19th, 2018

On a cool rainy day, a field trip to the Humane Society yielded the Eleanor’s expected enthusiasm her brother never exhibited. Always funny when they fall back to sign language when needing to add the greatest of emphasis: Ella clearly signing “more” when saying/desperately pleading “Mo Cats!” towards the end of the tour

The cool drizzle was a perfect backdrop to a warm lunch at the food hall. Ella demonstrates her noodle-slurping prowess with some of dad’s ramen

Des goes big.

Wait ten minutes after eating before strenuous climbing

The wonder that is watching an escalator in motion

After Eleanor was enchanted by her Nemo band-aid, perhaps it was time rewatch Finding Nemo to expand the audience. Ella was quite the fan of “Nomo! Nomo!”

May 16th, 2018

After feeding the baby plants, an old relic was rediscovered. Outside for some light tree/target practice, Des glances over his shoulder in clear appreciation for dad’s toy archery coaching

Eleanor, not one to be left out…

Eighteen months and what little hair there is feels coarse, money is on curly hair

The new fascination during bath time: pouring. Pouring into things, out of containers, filling cups only later to pour again…

What’s different about this photo? What’s the same? Well Eleanor wearing Des’ old PJs, that’s for one.

May 15th, 2018

After Eleanor accompanies dad outside to collect brother, Des insists on individually shouting fond farewells to each of his friends

A symbiotic relationship between brother shirking responsibilities and sister striving for the next rung in maturity

Upon coming come to a groomed (half his prior volume-by-fluff) dog, Eleanor was both confused and angry by what had become of her dog Max and who this imposter was? It took her several minutes to get used to Max’s new look, or perhaps she finally surrendered to the notion that there was simply a new dog in the house.

She certainly has our vote

Des wants a turn to model the prized sticker

Popsicles before bed, always a great (albeit yummy) idea

Mother’s Day 2018

Starting with a mini-adventure for Mother’s Day to the Wildlife Safari Park, Eleanor meets face-to-beak with a bald eagle

Ella scoping the picnic tables for things to pick at

Des sporting his new “safari” sunglasses (dad’s a sucker during the  impromptu “Hmm Des feels unusually warm, but surely it’s nothing” Walgreens/Tylenol stop)

The drive back was too long for some, as Eleanor blows bubbles in her sleep

Nap party continues

Celebrating the generosity and love that is Team Llama’s mother

Unwrapping a special new bedtime book with mom, Where the Sidewalk Ends

After several attempts, an open restaurant was found. When exiting, Ella assumed a gap between two fence segments were a movable gate of sorts rather than steel fixed in cement. She is fierce and persistent.

Eleanor does her best The Sound of Music reenactment through Turner Park

The grandkids celebrating their mothers’ mother’s day

May 12th, 2018

Celebrating Mother’s Day at great-grandma Kathy’s house, Des is thrilled to hang out with his older cousins

Ella is still shy around folks she doesn’t see day-in, day-out. She was much more comfortable hanging out with dad nearby, still had a good conversation

Don’t confuse shyness with quietness though…

Goofing around with ma

But she’s oftentimes a hugger-at-heart

No, this is not group nap time, merely rather group pre-nap reading

As mom and dad were heading out to date night at the symphony performing Holst’s The Planets [a wonderful Christmas gift], Des settles into an episode of Mickey Mouse’s Clubhouse with Liam, Ella frolics with Buddy the dog