Tag Archives: Viv

January 5th, 2019

A treat for breakfast- chocolate malt-o-meal, although Ella blindly declines before tasting (via her favorite phrase- “no thank you, I do not like that”)

Upon leaving aunt Megan’s house for brother’s haircut, Eleanor had to say good-bye to the potpourri light (?)

Clearly her “happy to be awake after nap” face

Ella walking Max or is Max walking Ella?

It was just barely warm enough to venture downtown for the fireworks display with aunt Megan, Liam and Viv

It was nice to see the familiar Gene Leahy Mall holiday scene one last time before construction begins soon

Pre-game snacks

Eleanor can sense there’s something going on, but she’s still not quite sure what exactly is happening here

Des scored some sweet new shades for the fireworks

Ella charges with, “KISS!”

Des staring out at the lights- one of mom and dad’s first dates many years ago walking around with hot chocolate, counting these very same lights

And then there were fireworks!

Des insists the glasses he got are a worthwhile optic effect, dad is less sure, given the required effort

A classic Omaha night

Boxing Day 2018

Shenanigans with pa before brunch

Ready for ma’s special french toast

Three cousin peas in a pod

“My monkey!”

Des opening his present from ma and pa- a “fort building” set that’s effectively a life-size set of tinker toys

Everyone gets a UNO Mavs hat, though Ella’s has big googly eyes

And quite possibly her favorite, a (kids themed) duck call

“QUACK!”

Ella and Margaret taking a nap

Chilling like a mermaid

R2-D2 minifig, dad’s inner child is a little jealous

Feeding her baby after mom lends her diapering expertise

And again.

Although she’s becoming an increasingly active sleeper as well

December 8th, 2018

An annual tradition, the kids and cousins visit pa’s union hall to visit Santa

Hugs!

Contemplative Ella

She’s pro-hug, but only up until 4-5 seconds…

Desmond asking Santa for a remote-control dinosaur (?), he’s a little less shy this year

This did not last long

Ok, cookie. That’s better

Eleanor, fond of all creatures of significant size, offers a giant hug to giant inflated polar bear

Thanksgiving 2018

The lego barn from last night gets a complete renovation

“YAY” for parades!

Eleanor checking on dad’s bread

Have to wear ear protection when watching marching bands, apparently this includes TV appearances as well

While there is a linear limit to track lengths in the living room, Des is eager to explore the limits. With a little help from the cow.

Ms. Lounge

…continued.

There was a bit of a mixup on meal/nap timing, with Eleanor eventually shifting into the ultra-rare “full gutted velociraptor mode.” Knowing time was of no use to the situation, dad resorted to driving her around in the car until she passed out. Even Eleanor’s inner strength and persistence is no match for being tired in a car on the interstate. Ten minutes into the nice fall drive towards the Loess Hills Scenic Byway (strategically selected for the sleeping-supporting shady ravines), she was out cold.

Des and Viv playing some variant of Go, obviously to their own rules

Saying “hi” to the chickens

Aunt Megan graciously giving shaggy Des a haircut

Pre-dinner arts and crafts time

That’s a Thanksgiving wrap

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

November 11th, 2018

Des’ second movie, with the cousins to see new The Grinch (which was remarkably good)

Beeping the dog’s nose, although later frustrated by its random responses- “No doggie, sing ABCs!”

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!”

Spooktacular 2018

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 🙂