Tag Archives: Grandma

June 2nd, 2018

At a friends birthday party (followed shortly by Calvin’s birthday party coincidentally in the same park), Eleanor tries on the on-theme unicorn costume for two seconds

No unicorn horn and running free, that’s better

Des ducking the goose

Eleanor decides to jump in and just start running around in circles

The result of some adult yelling, “CUPCAKES!”

The look of young jealousy-

Upon being reminded he too was getting a cupcake momentarily

That’s the stuff (gone)

Unicorns are pro-juice

Not a single “bonk” occurred, surprisingly

A quick walk around the lake before the birthday festivities started again

Eleanor, doing some light lifestyle modeling

Back together for Calvin’s birthday dinner, the group somehow scored a 12-top at Block 16 on a Saturday night

Eleanor looking at “horsey” pictures from Grandma’s outing to the equestrian show

June 1st, 2018

Dog- boy’s best friend

A visitor sat in the front yard for a while as everyone was returning home from daycare/preschool/work. The kids did well giving the baby bird respectful space before it flittered off towards the garage

Mom’s barrette experiment was inconclusive

Cause who doesn’t love pizza?

Desmond varies between savoring and racing through his popsicles

Eleanor optimistically eating that popsicle wearing a partially-white dress

May 1st, 2018

While mom and dad are at a friend’s wedding, grandma holds down the fort with the kids’ dinner, baths and bedtime. Eleanor took a little extra snuggling, but 

Des was eager to have someone read Gorgonzola to him again, the story of the dinosaur who stunk but learned proper hygiene with the help of a cantankerous old bird pal

April 21st, 2018

It was a good morning to go see Metamorphosis at Lauritzen Gardens, an exhibit constructed of found, recycled and reused plastic objects. In the primary atrium, there was one installation akin to a upcycled Chihuly sculpture-

That was pretty exciting, but so were the koi fish đŸ˜‰

Ella’s first time walking around the botanical gardens

Des requested his photo in front of the rainbow piece

Outside there was a collection of processed recycled materials, a look at waste in a new light

Mom really did pick out the world’s cutest rain jacket

Once outside and able to run, Des would occasionally look to 1) verify he didn’t run too far, 2) wave at everyone else from the future

Nearly at the half-way mark, Eleanor is getting tired and decides to shift modes of transportation

Taking (short) steps like a pro

An excellent pre-nap outing

Later on it warmed up sufficiently for the annual Earth Day festival in Elmwood park. Eleanor has her headphones on during the Mynabirds set, but is clearly more interested in goofing around with grandma

We’re still not sure Ella fully comprehended that she was touching a real rabbit. Like, she knows what it is, but the fact that she’s actually getting to pet one like she does Max

Des gets in on the rabbit action as well

It just doesn’t get more adorable than toddlers petting puppies

The now twice-annual post-Earth Day taco outing. Next year, definitely the 24th St. favorite over Mula

April 15th, 2018

Long after the kids have finished their own breakfasts, this is what dad eating dad’s breakfast looks like. The script is as follows:

Eleanor: [With doe eyes, silently sign “please”]

Down to business when they’re on the final “fruit” course

Grandma and her two shopping assistants

Napping downstairs while mom and dad’s new bed is delivered upstairs

Meanwhile upstairs, Des sleeps through the removal of the current mattress and box spring (which required mom to use the drill to remove the upstairs handrail) and delivery and set up of the new mattress, bed frame and box spring. He must’ve needed this nap.

Desmond and dad reading what is surely a Star Wars book before bed

March 23rd, 2018

Ella basically called “dibs” on a hat in the dress-up center, wore it until lunch time 

Eleanor pause between rounds of open/closing her water bottle, squirting herself in the face and then laughing đŸ™‚

Not that it wasn’t planned to begin brushing her teeth after bath time, but she insisted on it without much guidance and really started her own habit

A guest joins (Star Wars, of course) story time with Grandma

March 18th, 2018

Morning yoga for mom means morning zoo for the rest of the team.

Plus grandma, getting to see penguin breakfast

So so awake

Capturing the 160ms both kiddos were still-

Exploring the jungle floor

Pretty sure this is the closest anyone had been to the hippo

Pride

Big boy, bigger backpack

Just chilling with some amateur ear protection

The return of SUPER CRANE!

St. Patrick’s Day 2018

St. Patrick’s Day commences with green doughnuts and green almond milk

Eleanor reintroduces herself to Sydney

The cousins discovering all the new entertainment at grandma’s house

Ella pointing to the special dessert, like Babe Ruth pointing to left field…

…incoming…

“Houston, we’ve landed!”

Antici-pation.

Yeah, the boys like theirs too.

Bye-bye Birdie (literally x 2)

Desmond hiding, from either Honey or T-Rex