Tag Archives: Great-Grandma Jan

Christmas Eve 2018

In an effort to take more sibling photos on holidays, dad learns the kids have effectively two modes: first, “stoic disinterest-”

Followed by the “we’re (energetically) done cooperating” pose, wherein Eleanor tries to lick Desmond

Christmas Eve, 2018

At great-grandma Jan’s house for Christmas Eve dinner, Des hangs out in the basement with all the other kids. Although he’s the only one young enough to be pre-occupied by the (now vintage) Fisher Price barn and parking garage toys

Ella ready for some of ma’s soup. Probably the last great-grandchild to sit in this chair for a while, and definitely her last year

Hang on! Cruising around in the treadmill car

Enough with the backseat driving, Ella wants her turn at the wheel

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

November 16th, 2018

Eating dinner over at aunt Megan’s new house for Viv’s birthday, the kids relax for a few tacos. And for the llama kids unaccustomed to smoothies that aren’t mostly spinach, fruit and veggies, it seemed like a treat they were “getting away with” and defensively chugged without pause. Viv gives dad the download…

Happy birthday, Genevieve!!

Ella’s piece of cupcake lasted about as long as you’d expect

Playing with some of Viv’s new birthday gifts, styling the bracelets with ma

A Very Butterfly Birthday

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!”

May Des’ Fourth Be With You

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)

March 9th, 2018

While the real event was celebrating ma’s 60th birthday, the kids were equally excited about the mini-arcade at Mama’s Pizza

Ok, the pizza was a hit too

Desmond learning his first emotional lesson about gambling. Of course it was entirely skewed since Viv someone won three prizes out of “The Claw!” machine

However, the third win was after everyone left, so it wasn’t until the following weekend until she was able to gift the green hippo to Des

Toddler in a big-kid world. Although trick’s on them, Ella was grunting…

Happy birthday, ma! Eleanor was certainly focused on the cake

Yup, she’s a cake fan

November 12th, 2017

Celebrating Viv’s birthday at Mama’s Pizza, great-grandma Jan offers some coloring advice

Nope, don’t look a thing alike

Des sucking down onion rings like they’re noodles

Front-row seat for present opening with Aunt Megan

Ella putting a ring on pa’s finger. Then taking off, putting it back on again, then…

More watching all the lights and noises than playing, he still had fun

Caution: Birthday Under Construction

Baby’s first time sitting in a shopping cart

First time at the checkout register, Eleanor is dubious of the man touching all of our food and hiding it in brown bags

Nap time is the best time

Generations 1, 3 and 4

Desmond felt it was best to gather all the balloons together in the middle of the room, as you do

Balloons = magic

Some truly remarkable women and mothers in this group

Inspecting the found ladybug

These cousins remain in motion

CAKE! It took a few tries and some coaching, but he blew the candle out

The look of pure bliss

Little heart, so full

Liam reading Des’ card

Snoopy and Woodstock play music and light up?!

Big brother sharing his card, Ella was equally impressed

Desmond quickly settling in story-listening position as Uncle Mike read one of his new books

Eleanor hopped in and contemplated the book’s plot and sub-themes

Eleanor showing off her most recent nighttime party trick: waking up and sitting, without making much more than a peep, then falling asleep again.