Call Day #63, 5/27/11

Claire enjoys her first trip to PetSmart.

With Grandma around, Costco lunch included ice cream! When not eaten quickly enough, it became milkshakes. Eleanor thinks ice cream is good, no matter how you consume it!

Claire got in on the ice cream and milkshakes too.

Friday is trash day. Everyone watches the recycling truck.

It's definitely summer here now so it was time to bring out the bubbles and sidewalk chalk.

Planting rhododendrons we got this morning. Eleanor was very excited to help.

But soon found that digging is hard work. (I think she's grunting here.)

Spraying them with the hose was a lot of fun too!

Eleanor spotted a snail and moved him around a few times. When we were done, she returned him to the yard. I'm not sure what he thought of his adventures, but he should be okay since she was relatively gentle with him.

We have been reading a book from the library called Eating the Alphabet in which fruits and vegetables that start with each letter of the alphabet are shown. We decided to give it a try and started today with A for apricots. (E very sweaty from all that digging...)

The little one who wasn't sleeping. Must be like her Daddy, unable to sleep if it's too hot. It took a long time to cool her room down enough to get her back to sleep. Time to put the window ACs back in!

Call Day #62, 5/23/11

Working together to scoot one of the dining room chairs down the hall. For some reason, this was hilarious to them both.

Since it was rainy outside, we made a trip to the local toy store (new owner, newly renovated, etc). We have been talking about going for a few weeks now and Eleanor was very eager. Eleanor and Claire made a lot of noise in the music section!

Claire did TRY to clean up all the things she pulled out but her sorting skills aren't quite there yet...

Claire finds a seat and a good book.

We didn't plan it, but turns out we were there at the right time for story time and songs!

Train table.

Eleanor is pretty excited by these vending machines and I actually had a quarter on me. I think it's really more about the machine than the candy for her.

Giving Claire a ride in the wagon. They were going to the movies. We've been having movie nights occasionally so Eleanor had set up play food and some dolls in the living room for "pretend movie night."

Call Day #61, 5/19/11

School playgroup day. Doctor Eleanor takes care of babies.

Bandaged this one. My favorite part? The pager clipped onto her pocket.

Claire listens to Ms. Sylvia tell a story.

Under the parachute.

Claire gets in there with the big kids, climbing up and sliding down this structure. Eleanor used to be scared to jump off, but no longer.

Costco run after playgroup. Eleanor asked for a smoothie and shared it with Claire.

Playing in the Costco box while I put away groceries.

Trying to recap the marker she was using. So far, she knows to write on paper or dry-erase boards but I just don't trust her.

Little sweet peppers from Costco were all the rage around here today. Eleanor tried them on the way home and we had more for dinner. Claire's new word of the day? Pepper. I took her in the kitchen to get milk after nap and she saw them on the counter and surprised me by saying it.

Call Day #60, 5/15/11

Eleanor sets up a "tea party." On the time out chair.

On nursery duty at church. Eleanor offers some of her snack to everyone. Her idea to share.

Claire wants milk and knows where it's kept. If only she could get in!

Call Day #59, 5/11/11

Early morning play at Target. There aren't many people in the store shortly after 8am. Eleanor cooked on the grill. Not sure what she was pretending to cook, but she did actually put her apple on there and close the lid.

Claire and I have a picnic breakfast on the patio furniture. (She was still in PJs and we were out so early because we dropped Erik off this morning.)

Claire spots the balls.

A stop at Michael's. Trying on hats. I think Eleanor was struggling with the strap...

Claire finds a baby to kiss.

And hug.

Happy mango samplers at Costco.

Claire climbed all the way from the sidewalk to the porch to the third floor by herself! She stood and clapped for herself to celebrate!

Having finished Junior Orientation (Did you know we've almost been here a year?!), Erik spent a little bit of time with us at the park before heading in for call at the hospital.

Having fun together. Eleanor blows (raspberries) on Claire's back. This was met with great laughs and squeals.

Call Day #58, 5/1/11

Since they have been enjoying play kitchens so much lately, I found one on Craigslist. They only got to play with it for a few minutes last night, so it was the first thing they wanted to do today.

Lunch at church included ice cream for dessert!

Eleanor at the head of the table.

The park.

Claire in a tunnel.

Watching the trains pass by.

It may be a messy face, but it's a cute face.