After confirming the color of each crayon before use (“this blue? this purple?”), Eleanor doodles through a new series
Grandpa stops by for a few, so of course it’s time for “show and tell”
Ella demonstrating pretty decent fife form, for a toddler
Ok, back to show-and-tell
Des helping dad fix mom’s new office lounge chair in grandpa’s garage
If an object has wheels, it will be ridden
Grandpa showing Des how flutes are made
Ella surveys the fresh falling snow, baguette in hand
Early Thanksgiving dinner at grandma’s house, Ella has found her legos
At age two, Eleanor has already perfected her perplexed-reading-instructions face
And of course dinner breaks out into a verse or six of “Baby Shark”
She found a minion!
Everyone humoring dad/brother/uncle for a family photo
That’s a cute cousin set
Eleanor riding the birthday whale into her second birthday
Up close and personal with SO many butterflies, it was a magical birthday morning
Birthday hugs…
…followed by mom’s famous (birthday) blueberry muffins
Yeah, they’re that good.
Naturally.
It wouldn’t surprise anyone that she got up there all by herself.
Can you say “birthday envy?”
Aptly making a cake for sister
Exchanging family gifts, Des’ card
Pure joy upon opening her own Margaret Tiger stuffy
Combining two of her current passions- Margaret Tiger and putting any object to sleep with a blanket
She pretty much has stethoscopes figured out
New Daniel Tiger story book, and brother isn’t complaining
Let the wild, pink-spangled butterfly rumpus begin!
Reading with ma
…followed by asking grandma to read the exact same book again.
Grandma cheerleading taking bites with the slow/distracted eating crew
Weeks candle-blowing training comes down to one moment…
Nailed it!
Cake!
Saying good-bye to Ol’ Monkey Butt
The many faces of cake euphoria (during)
After cake, as you’d expect
All clean
Silly goose [mouseover/tap]
“Oh look,” the monsters shout. “It’s 6:08! Your present opening cannot wait!”
Cookie baking as a companion set to the much beloved tea set
Ella takes the same creative liberties to opening cards as she does bucking convention while eating sandwiches layer-wise
The birthday Hug of Thanks tour starting with grandpa
Kisses with ma
Cousin Cal, one of the finest huggers known east of 72nd st.
Dr. Des and Dr. Cal checking up on the llama patient
“It’s ok, her throat beat is strong!”
What was certain to be a good omen, Desmond starts his birthday party day with the season’s first snowfall. On a trip with dad to nab folding chairs, Des also gets a special birthday hot chocolate
All warm
A young Jedi recreating a scene in Star Wars
Eleanor is in a phase where any material, regardless of how small, is either spread out as a blanket to lay on or cover something that is “going sleepy”
Ella is as surprised as everyone else that the snow is sticking and begins to accumulate
What dad thought would be just a nice background (while Beatles played on the speakers) ended up being an early focal point of the birthday party
Getting pigtails with aunt Megan, who is significantly more skilled than mom and dad
Snack picnic
When originally prompted for birthday theme ideas, Des, almost without thinking, replied “Star Wars and Rainbows.” Safe to say, mom and dad’s baker friend nailed it. Mom took to the next level with action figures.
Ella and pa negotiating terms for sharing chips
One can only assume he’s wishing to watch Empire Strikes Back. Or for real-life dinosaurs…
Ella showing off her fork skills for great-grandma Jan
Action figures rivaling cake and ice cream for attention
When you’re so cute, everyone offers you a bite of cake
Desmond solicits help from Liam reading cards
Making the rounds
Mom demonstrating how the R2-D2 candy dispenser works
Hug pile with ma
And the party inevitably ends in some sort of balloon-oriented mayhem
(Mom gets award for best birthday installation)
The boys scheming after a reasonably restful sleepover
Puzzle time- Calvin was awfully proud of completing the barn puzzle himself
Eleanor, puzzle master
Clearly ignoring brother’s antics
Picking up campaign signs for some excellent women candidates, Eleanor fearlessly tries the scooter
Morning trip to the library, to color (of course)
Des signs his coloring before posting to the wall
No stairs too big for her ambitions
New library card holder
Dad spends the afternoon practicing indoor flash photography before the restaurant’s soft opening. The result? A new series, Indoor Llamas:
Amidst all the new faces, Eleanor beelines for grandma
Grandpa reads to Des and Julian in the kids corner
Yummy indeed
Uncle Mike brings out the inaugural dinner order
The kids point to what they want first (hummus)
A brief moment before the food is inhaled
Sitting in the “east wing”
Congratulations Aunt Kellie and Uncle Mike on a successful soft opening of Oasis Falafel of Omaha
Always interested in a good “pictures!” viewing, Des looks on at grandpa’s photos of his camper build-out adventures. Who’s ready to go camping?
Desmond tries to coax most visitors into a lightsaber duel
Not shown: Eleanor trying to impress grandpa with her mad chili-eating skills
For birthday dinner #2, Desmond demonstrates his chopstick skills on a piece of sushi. Everyone also discovered that he Des really loves roe. Like, ate all of dad’s.
Eleanor listening intently to grandpa’s story
Des and grandpa scoping out the tree lights
After an early start to the day with early 90s educational videos, Dad caught the sunrise during a hunt for coffee
Got all of the discharge tasks completed early, ready to head home
Baby’s first car ride, to the tune of My Life is Sweet by Simon Joyner
Back at the house with Grandma and Des
Dad woke up Des from his lap. He said, “hi!” and ran over for a hug. Mere moments later, he said “baby sister” and ran downstairs.
Ma getting in some extra cuddles before taking Des for a cousin slumber party
Quick stick and dirt pit stop in the front yard
Grandpa came over to meet Ella, though it’s still near-constant napping
Cousins watching The Lion King
