Tag Archives: Mom

January 27th, 2019

Eleanor is shocked to find out there’s another trip to the water park after breakfast.

After seemingly panning splash pads this past summer, she spent a surprising amount of time here- flittering from one to the next to wash her hands, and those of whoever else is near

Des is just tall enough to grab a firm pull on the lever…

…wonder if the first time he knew what it’d do?

Sister gets in on the big splash action too

Wash all the hands

Team llama looking (surprisingly) in the same general direction

Then someone was merciful and offered to take a picture

Des for one last trip down the big slide (which is apparently constructed in such a manner that it is mathematically impossible for kids to careen down and arrive in a jumble of no fewer than two)

Well-rested after a long nap, making the most of the opportunity to gather for one last pizza dinner. Ella and grandma in the mermaid blanket-

Story time with grandma, for a repeat reading of Car’s “Tractor Trouble”

Looks like Eleanor had fun at the water park

The boys construct a fairly ambitious car track, though a few actually made it all the way

January 26th, 2019

Waking up to fresh powder

Eleanor learning fifth position in her first dance class

Lunch with (great-)(aunt) Molly at Lalibela Ethiopian

Napping with all of her friends- Margaret, Blue Bear, assorted animals and, clutched guardedly in hand- beloved monkey.

Now officially a tradition: dad’s birthday weekend celebrated with an overnight hotel stay, swim and pizza party. Des is just as excited as dad-

Eleanor wastes no time finding the nearest slide, dashing down with only mild hesitation

Desmond fearlessly conquering the two-story waterslide

All washed up after the pool, the pizza arrives! The pixar gods shone down on everyone with a quick find on the cable (re-explaining that concept to Des for the fourth time) with Finding Dory

Ella snacking with some of aunt Molly’s candied pecans (so yum!)

Snuggles and Nemo- the best birthday present

While Eleanor takes quite some time to fall asleep, Des and dad build a fort in the corner with a laptop viewing of The Empire Strikes Back (or with all the pause-and-explain-the-plot-details breaks, up until meeting Yoda on Dagobah)

January 21st, 2019

With preschool/daycare closed for President’s Day, it’s a good day for lunch near dad’s work. Des and Ella patiently await cooled-down, cliche grilled cheese and french fries

Dreaming of cupcakes

Sitting in dad’s spot while mom has a work event, Des is doubly excited for his leftover mac & cheese

January 20th, 2019

Less common than it once was now Eleanor is fully mobile, a Sunday lunch before finishing grocery shopping

January 18th, 2019

Dad was feeling a bit nostalgic and got Des his first balsa wood plane. It lasted about as long as you’d expect, but it was fun nonetheless

While neither child routinely wore a bib that much, Ella found one in the drawer and insisted on wearing it 

Des demonstrates a perfect underarm and swing-out turn during an after-dinner dance party

Proud engineer (of all things)

January 16th, 2019

FaceTiming with ma

Tonight’s fort-

January 13th, 2019

Ella upgrades to riding front cart, although learning to stay on may take some practice yet (“What out for hop-offs. You’re going to get some hop-offs”)

With recently-ish fallen snow and mild-enough winter temps, it was the perfect afternoon for Team Llama’s first sledding trip as a foursome. Of course even just walking in snow pants is hard work for a two-year-old, so the sled rides began at the car

On baby’s first sledding trip, it’s clear she’s a little thrill seeker

Des learns how much work goes into walking back up the hill after his first ride with mom

One happy little sledder

Des perfecting his snow angel form

Ella begins insisting on walking up the hill herself, which mom and dad try to persuade her out of doing (and taking five times longer)

Afternoon quickly fades to winter sunset, but these two aren’t ready to go home yet

After the first run down the fast/long hill, dad loses control of the sled and Des tumbles off using his face to brake 🙁 After the initial scare and snowburn subsides, Des practices his “tough sledding” face.

One last ride before packing it in

Belly full of hot chocolate, Ella happily arranges her Duplo animals 

January 12th, 2019

Des surveying the accomplishment of putting his new dinosaur puzzle together

Everyone gets in a good Wii run before lunch/nap

A rare evening visit to the Children’s Museum for Star Wars night

But it’s a surprise, as the kids have no idea

But then Ella spotted her friend! Darth Vader and other assorted characters make their way through the parade

“CHEWBACCA!”

Des isn’t sure what to think, but waves reflexively…

“…!!!”

It’s time for pictures afterwards and of course these two pick the “dark side” first

Eleanor was surprisingly composed when holding the hand of her idol (each morning when asked what she dreamed about while she slept and she answers “Darth Vader” every time)

Why waste an opportunity to collect balls?

She ended up being a bit more of a hoarder than actually playing

Des scaling the rock climbing wall with confidence

Playing in the old Gordman’s Zooland animals mom and dad too played on as kids

Des really getting the “hang” of it

As usual, Eleanor is much more interested in gathering and arranging cones than actually kicking the soccer ball 🙂

From a distance Des spots two other characters standing idly by- “DAD! … REY! … KILO REN!!” So of course Des wants to get a picture with his new friends.

Back home for dinner, Des opts for the “combo cookie” treat

Ella’s post-piggy tail hair may or may not resemble a famous clown-

Absolutely no drinking bath water…