Tag Archives: Dad

January 30th, 2019

When the phrase “Hoth-cold” enters the household vernacular- while less gusty than yesterday, it’s still biting-cold in the morning

Test flights in the living room (yes, dad read safety articles on how to properly fly indoors) proceed

After a drone landing, Des and Ella sprint to the scene for the post-flight review

Eleanor’s demeanor radically shifts as she is no longer having this seemingly-autonomic flying robot’s campaign of terror

With Ella’s opinion of drones doing a 180° in mere seconds, dad quickly lands to soothe her worries

Nothing a bowl of mom’s divine tomato soup and grilled cheese can’t cure (nice form, Ella!)

January 29th, 2019

When the windchill is near -30°F at daycare pick-up, it’s stop- double scarf time

Clearly enthused by dad’s survival tactics

Dad’s birthday drone arrives unexpectedly early!

Just like the starfish educational exhibit at the aquarium, we use a one-finger touch when petting the drone

Dad managed to get the drone to fly, briefly.

January 27th, 2019

Eleanor is shocked to find out there’s another trip to the water park after breakfast.

After seemingly panning splash pads this past summer, she spent a surprising amount of time here- flittering from one to the next to wash her hands, and those of whoever else is near

Des is just tall enough to grab a firm pull on the lever…

…wonder if the first time he knew what it’d do?

Sister gets in on the big splash action too

Wash all the hands

Team llama looking (surprisingly) in the same general direction

Then someone was merciful and offered to take a picture

Des for one last trip down the big slide (which is apparently constructed in such a manner that it is mathematically impossible for kids to careen down and arrive in a jumble of no fewer than two)

Well-rested after a long nap, making the most of the opportunity to gather for one last pizza dinner. Ella and grandma in the mermaid blanket-

Story time with grandma, for a repeat reading of Car’s “Tractor Trouble”

Looks like Eleanor had fun at the water park

The boys construct a fairly ambitious car track, though a few actually made it all the way

January 26th, 2019

Waking up to fresh powder

Eleanor learning fifth position in her first dance class

Lunch with (great-)(aunt) Molly at Lalibela Ethiopian

Napping with all of her friends- Margaret, Blue Bear, assorted animals and, clutched guardedly in hand- beloved monkey.

Now officially a tradition: dad’s birthday weekend celebrated with an overnight hotel stay, swim and pizza party. Des is just as excited as dad-

Eleanor wastes no time finding the nearest slide, dashing down with only mild hesitation

Desmond fearlessly conquering the two-story waterslide

All washed up after the pool, the pizza arrives! The pixar gods shone down on everyone with a quick find on the cable (re-explaining that concept to Des for the fourth time) with Finding Dory

Ella snacking with some of aunt Molly’s candied pecans (so yum!)

Snuggles and Nemo- the best birthday present

While Eleanor takes quite some time to fall asleep, Des and dad build a fort in the corner with a laptop viewing of The Empire Strikes Back (or with all the pause-and-explain-the-plot-details breaks, up until meeting Yoda on Dagobah)

January 25th, 2019

Ella just kicking back with grandma for dad’s birthday dinner

Great-aunt Molly (!) imparts some of her famously skillful coloring wisdom with Des

Possibly Ella’s favorite dish- mom made dal!

Opening Ella’s masterfully-signed birthday card to dad

Everyone four-and-under is excited about dad’s vinyl gift of a unknown Omaha songwriter covered by an even less known Omaha guitarist (woohoo!)

Cousin hugs are the best hugs

The first birthday dad has spent with the entire family in years, let alone with great-aunt Molly was truly, and tearfully, a special night.

January 19th, 2019

On the first stop of a morning adventure with dad and grandma, Des scopes out all of the minifigs at the local Lego store (yes, that’s a thing) near grandma’s house

Desmond, wearer of the Green Scarf (which somehow became the prized scarf of dad’s that alternates–with confrontational, clockwork-like reliability–between each little llama)

January 13th, 2019

Ella upgrades to riding front cart, although learning to stay on may take some practice yet (“What out for hop-offs. You’re going to get some hop-offs”)

With recently-ish fallen snow and mild-enough winter temps, it was the perfect afternoon for Team Llama’s first sledding trip as a foursome. Of course even just walking in snow pants is hard work for a two-year-old, so the sled rides began at the car

On baby’s first sledding trip, it’s clear she’s a little thrill seeker

Des learns how much work goes into walking back up the hill after his first ride with mom

One happy little sledder

Des perfecting his snow angel form

Ella begins insisting on walking up the hill herself, which mom and dad try to persuade her out of doing (and taking five times longer)

Afternoon quickly fades to winter sunset, but these two aren’t ready to go home yet

After the first run down the fast/long hill, dad loses control of the sled and Des tumbles off using his face to brake 🙁 After the initial scare and snowburn subsides, Des practices his “tough sledding” face.

One last ride before packing it in

Belly full of hot chocolate, Ella happily arranges her Duplo animals 

January 12th, 2019

Des surveying the accomplishment of putting his new dinosaur puzzle together

Everyone gets in a good Wii run before lunch/nap

A rare evening visit to the Children’s Museum for Star Wars night

But it’s a surprise, as the kids have no idea

But then Ella spotted her friend! Darth Vader and other assorted characters make their way through the parade

“CHEWBACCA!”

Des isn’t sure what to think, but waves reflexively…

“…!!!”

It’s time for pictures afterwards and of course these two pick the “dark side” first

Eleanor was surprisingly composed when holding the hand of her idol (each morning when asked what she dreamed about while she slept and she answers “Darth Vader” every time)

Why waste an opportunity to collect balls?

She ended up being a bit more of a hoarder than actually playing

Des scaling the rock climbing wall with confidence

Playing in the old Gordman’s Zooland animals mom and dad too played on as kids

Des really getting the “hang” of it

As usual, Eleanor is much more interested in gathering and arranging cones than actually kicking the soccer ball 🙂

From a distance Des spots two other characters standing idly by- “DAD! … REY! … KILO REN!!” So of course Des wants to get a picture with his new friends.

Back home for dinner, Des opts for the “combo cookie” treat

Ella’s post-piggy tail hair may or may not resemble a famous clown-

Absolutely no drinking bath water…