December 22nd, 2018

Daniel Tiger and friends laying some early morning mind grapes on healthy expression of frustration and problem solving. And the kids just think they’re watching cartoons…

Oddly enough, Des thinks the frog blanket is his (Ella got it at pa’s union hall when she was an infant and Des annexed it). The construction truck blanket actually was Desmond’s, but Eleanor has clearly claimed it as “her” blanket. A surprising symbiosis has emerged, possibly their first successful trade.

The good kind of buttons to push…

Ella, pizza artist

Des and Cal busy as beavers building damns

“Beep beep!” (as all tractors go?)

Ella getting in on the water play action, getting only slightly drenched

Pushing the button to talk, Cal respectively asks “Please give me some of your money.”

She’s definitely got part the bottle part down…

…giving medicine is a different story.

Likewise, the boys nailed their blood pressure testing

Slide! She sprinted back to go again about a dozen times.

Ella doing her signature dance move with mom

He’ll play with legos with a mouse, in a house. Or on the floor or a wall-

The crayon equivalent of dumpster diving

After Des is done assembling his creation with wood, nails and tape, Calvin quietly turns to suggest, “Uh, but it doesn’t look like an AT-AT walker” That’s ok.

“Game on!”

As he grows taller beyond the toddler days, a real Mavs hockey jersey puts it all in perspective

Game face.

Some kids like to kick around the soccer ball. Others enjoy collecting and stacking field cones 🙂

Excited to stop in and see aunt Kelli and uncle Mike at the restaurant

New favorite past time

A spaceport crane, naturally

Movie night: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Rest well, little pretzel dough balls

December 21st, 2018

Mom and Eleanor cheesing at the daycare holiday party, which just happened to coincide with pajama day

Reading in the loft

Des got pajama day too, building and creating still the one constant

Des’ first crossword puzzle!

Getting ready for the traditional tour of holiday lights, car-friendly thermoses of hot chocolate in glove/mitten

Ella is ready!!! (for hot chocolate)

Arriving before the crowds descend, this really is the greatest few residential blocks in Omaha for those twinkling lights

Leaving the now bumper-to-bumper line, onward towards the next neighborhood

December 20th, 2018

His newest creation, always building

December 19th, 2018

Baby and bottle and Eleanor

Mailing new years cards, or, playing with expensive stickers

December 18th, 2018

Little Drummer Girl

Proud Des and his multi-tier crane truck

On Des and dad’s now annual Christmas shopping excursion, he’s more than happy to try out the store’s camping chair

Chips, guac, sushi… what could be… funnier?

In his happy spot 🙂

<3

December 17th, 2018

Des building a tractor and trailer to haul Lightning McQueen

Eleanor with those leftover blues (despite the brussels sprouts!)

“There’s jam on my cookie!!” Des is pretty excited about his cookie from Megan-

Ella modeling her reindeer/santa pajamas

Little Ella Marie, who was no more than two, reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas with mom

December 16th, 2018

Des unveiling his most recent “Barn with Crane” build

Eleanor showing grandma her new magnetic costume doll

December 15th, 2018

The annual trip to Mangelsens for 2018 tree ornaments starts with the ceremonial browsing the miniature village displays- “SNOOPY!”

Des exploring the dark side with The Nightmare Before Christmas set

Ella: zero fear, as if, “Man, get a load of this guy!”

Playing with great grandma Jan’s original Fisher Price record player, nothing like that modern knock-off at home

Thankful for her new stocking, the family set is now complete!

Naps with Margaret

A young artist, still waking up