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 🙂
