The wake up crew goes full tilt
He’ll build with anything, including his oldest blocks now residing in sister’s room
Sporting her new t-shirt
In cold weather, Team Llama kids go to PE class. Before lunch, Des has to get 10 coins. Twenty minutes of running does wonders for Des’ nap time, even getting a wee bit sweaty.
Skiing worked out better than prior hula hooping attempts, though just barely
Gift exchange with friends
Firmly in the “I do it!” stage of life, Ella is pretty good at getting socks on and off
Beyond adorable
Brought some welcome gifts over to meet grandma’s new pup, Bella (that name won’t be confusing at all)
Doesn’t everyone strip down to drink hot chocolate? (Clothing) safety first.
With mom’s best friend Melissa in town, Eleanor has a new adult to ask to read Daniel Tiger books
Des showing off some old toy, cause that’s what you do when there’s company
“I going now. Bye-bye.” -Dr Ella
Pit stop for playing on brother’s computer
Good grief! Somehow Christmas slipped by without watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. Better late than never.
On the most recent trip to the Asian Market, dad was walking towards the produce when he noticed the sound of Desmond’s footsteps no longer behind him. In the less than 10 seconds, Des had spotted the tub of blue crabs, found the tongs and managed to pick up a crab-
During a holiday gathering with friends, the coffee table transforms into a kids banquet table
Seasonal entertainment with Frosty the Snowman
But while the other kids just watch from wherever they were playing, Des and Ella immediately assume “movie night” position on the couch with blankets
Ella saying goodnight to everyone, with (self-imposed) mandatory hugs, kisses AND high-fives
Each barn Des constructs must contain a fully operational crane
While the world is out shopping, it’s a good morning for a zoo trip with some friends
Petting the starfish, which will never be the same after watching Finding Dory
Des still insists this is not Nemo, but Nemo’s father, Martin
Little fishies convention
20+ laps later, still had to coax her into going to see the butterflies
Not her first time at the butterfly pavilion, but certainly the most excited she’s been to see so many real butterflies
Ella opted to join dad (racing eyes-closed through the insect section) to see the big butterflies outside
Ella (respectfully) encounters a new, inquisitive friend
The Great Standoff
Des keeping up with Grace and Clara
Little monkeys surveying the jungle
“Is your mama a llama?” I asked my friend Dave. “No, she is not,” is the answer Dave gave. “She hangs by her feet, and she lives in a cave. I do not believe that’s how llamas behave.” “Oh,” I said. “You are right about that. I think that your mama sounds more like a…”
This may have been right after Grace bonked Ella, but no tears
“Turtle!”
“When something is new, holding a hand can help you.”
Mom thoughtfully squeezing in as much exercise before nap time
And because it was a Friday, time to seize the falafel at Oasis Falafel of Omaha. Run, don’t walk.
Celebrating Falafel Friday with aunt Kellie
A bit hangry and pouty
But who wouldn’t smile at this feast??
After naps, it was time for the annual tradition of the tree lighting at the Durham Museum. Of course it all starts with meeting this guy-
One of the first in line to see Santa, going early is certainly advantageous. Then it’s off to decorate, and then consume, cookies.
The first holiday cookie of the season
When dad asked Eleanor if she would share a little bit of her cookie, she was eager to oblige. Des points to the crumb that was (laughably) even too small for a mouse.
Rudolph!
One of these years we’ll stay late enough for the actual lighting ceremony 🙂
Des with some trepidation, but not sister.
Staring at the tiny cows and chickens
Yeah, someone is tired
After pa’s retirement breakfast, the kids are over the moon with their balloons
Exploring the terrain outside of the Joslyn
Desmond’s portraits lean more abstract than purely technical
These digital art easels are really engaging, especially with the virtual viscosity of the paint, where you can manipulate and smudge around globs of paint
More “stop(ped working)” than “stop motion,” mom takes a single snapshot
Magnetic doll activity Ella seemed to enjoy (and spark a Christmas gift idea- though a magnetic woman with various career uniforms)
Des saw some train tracks and got to work straight away
The many expressions of Eleanor- all attitude and silly goose
Got to position the new cat friend just right…
Ok, perfect
About sums it up- Des and mom look at the video installation, Ella goofing around towards brother
Stop #2 at family friend Bill Hoover’s gallery open house. These two do a surprisingly good job of avoiding touching any work, though snacks help
Des modeling all the Halloween rings from yesterday’s grab bag
Slime!
Heading to the zoo in costume for Spooktacular has been a fun family tradition, ever since Des’ first trip to the zoo.
Not sure why Des posed with the whistle, was he going for “here dinosaur, dinosaur!?”
The cousin squad in full regalia
Snuggling with grandma
Unlike her brother’s trepidation at this age of all non-human characters, Eleanor was all about the new faces. Also clearly long past her issues with stranger danger, she has absolutely no problem giving a stormtrooper a high-five
Negotiating holding a hand, holding her bucket and having a spare hand to grab candy was an ongoing challenge
The key to Spooktacular is to go right on time and start with the trick-or-treating
Of course you’ve got to stop for the various entertainment along the way (drum line)
Ella was also enamored by large costumes, like this high school mascot
Buckets full of candy, it’s time to enjoy the zoo in reverse- the desert basement is lit and the jungle is dark.
Up close and personal with one of the bats
Des nervously checks his gear after entering a massive bubble pit
Dinosaur Scientist at the Disco
Des and Cal fraternizing with the dark side of force
Eleanor has apparently been sufficiently immersed in Star Wars recently that she felt so compelled as to run up to Darth Vader and give him a hug. For weeks following, she would tell anyone that would listen, “I hug Darth Vader!”
And then there was this for months to come-
Dad: “So what did you dream about last night, Eleanor?”
Eleanor: “I dream about Darth Vader!”
Mom and dad are only mildly worried, though think now she’s playing everyone for the response 🙂
Des tuning in Tokyo on dad’s WWII shortwave radio grandpa dropped off. It successfully tuned in the BBC as recently as the early 90s
More gadgets and knobs, Eleanor happily explores
Des showing off his latest lego creation to dad’s friend Josh
At Birdie and Dottie’s birthday party, Des sits still long enough for a few bites of cake
Maybe it’s genetics…
Ella and dad making braclets
“Here, you hold the bead”
Success.
The cousins slinging some veggie dogs
Desmond takes a swig of his first candy wax bottle. Less wax was ingested than you’d think.
A new trick these two invented- “hiding” on the way up to bath time
During an atypical Saturday visit to the downtown farmers market, Eleanor was walking with a slow and deliberate focus on her feet. Then it occurred to dad- this is the first time she’s walked on a brick road
At the cabin of one of dad’s work friends, Eleanor walks straight into the lake as if returning to her aquatic home.
Des “hiding”
Although she liked playing with the noodle as well, mostly tossing it and doggie-paddling over to retrieve it (repeat)
Basking in the euphoria that is eating a whole frosted cookie. Cause lake life.
Des boarded immediately, clearly eager for his first boat ride.
“I’m sailing! Out in a boat on the lake, way far away from the dock. AHOY!”
Baby’s first boat ride
By lake or by land- Des gets his first driving lesson with George
Ella wanted a ride as well, probably best for the more experienced driver to take her for a spin
One would think the highlight of the experience was being at the lake, swimming, watching/riding boats… but no. The near-plague level of small toads abound was apparently the one true joy. Desmond chasing after one of his small friends.
Up close and personal
Practicing “nice touch” and learning to hold only for a moment, then putting the friend down (note he wanted to keep his puddle jumper on much longer than necessary)
They were out five minutes into the car ride home. What an amazing summer experience with great friends.
