Call Day #69, 7/29/11

Listening to Bible songs, and following along in the devotional book, while eating breakfast.

If you live on the third floor, sometimes you just need a carrier. How else to take down the trash and recycling when your youngest can't walk down the stairs by herself (and no one wanted to stay upstairs and play)?

As we were heading out for the morning, Claire had a seat on our downstairs neighbors' welcome mat. I was just amazed that a bow had lasted in her hair that long. Unfortunately, it got pulled out before we made it off the porch to the sidewalk.

We had to hang out on the porch a while so Eleanor could enjoy the recycling truck. She even told the recycling guy about our plans for the day!

Just happy to see the truck. Seriously, she wants to stay home or go play at the park on our street just so she can see the trash trucks or the street cleaner. We have not done this but she asks about it. She also tries to keep track of which days they come.

We went to the zoo with our friends Val and Judah. Our first visit there. Claire's at such a fun age, learning so much every day and it was really neat to realize that she was seeing so many animals we've pointed out in books for the first time. She seemed to enjoy it. Here, the giraffes, a word she already knew.

Seeing the lion.

Easily the highlight of the day, this guy walked around roaring!

Judah and the girls watch the gorilla with her baby.

Claire talks about her trip to the zoo.

We spent the evening at our friend Rachel's house. The weather was great so we played outside for a long time. Eleanor learned you can twist on a swing and then spin!

Came home to a package from Grandpa and Grandma.

Looking at Claire's new book.

Showing off one of her own.

Call Day #68, 7/24/11

Eleanor asked to give Snow White a bath. Claire, of course, started yelling "Bath! Bath!" and cried when that's not what we were really doing. (If you feel badly, we did take baths later in the day.) Here's Eleanor playing with water in the sink.

Claire pushing the shopping cart.

Claire knows how to wear finger puppets.

After watching me dry and put away dishes, Eleanor dries the things she used in the sink.

Claire and the slide in the church nursery.

We had SUCH a hard time getting home from church today, needing to cross a major street where there was a parade taking place, a celebration of Puerto Rico--need to look up the occasion... Anyhow, after fighting it, I thought we should just grab some food, park, and watch, but all we caught was this, the police barricading the road after the end of the parade. Still, interesting to see how the street cleaners took to the streets right away to get the road ready for reopening.

Since there was a place to see trains right there, nobody seemed too upset about missing the parade.

Playing "Boo!" I love how Claire will walk around with a towel or blanket on her head, fearless about running into things.

A book from Aunt Linda this week mentioned the phrase Hakuna Matata so I sang them the song from the Lion King. It was a hit. Claire likes to say "TA-TA!" Watching it on YouTube.

Call Day #67, 7/20/11

Eleanor gets her first haircut! We've been counting down to today, and she was excited (despite how she may look in the pictures). She chose to sit on my lap rather than alone in the chair.

Katie cuts Eleanor's hair. It wasn't a big cut, of course, but hopefully it will keep it from looking so wild most of the time.

Claire waiting. About a week ago now, she one day pointed at Eleanor's shirt and happily said "Melmo!" Then, she pointed to her own chest. So, here she is in an Elmo shirt of her own.

Katie gives Eleanor a special treat for doing such a good job. Beads in her hair.

How did I get pictures and take care of Claire while Eleanor sat on my lap? Only with the help of our friend Erin, who lives in the building where the salon is, and came to assist.

Afterwards, we went upstairs to play with Erin and Gus. The kids played "sleep" on Gus's bed.

But not for long. Then, they were a band. Claire, Gus, and Eleanor were the "songers" and Erin and I were supposed to dance.

After nap, we visited a new park/sprinkler place, the Soule Rec Center in Chestnut Hill. Eleanor was excited to go splash!

Claire mostly wanted to swing, at least at the beginning. Oh, and the stuff on her nose? Scab from falling at a park on Monday. In her enthusiasm, she tried going faster than she was able and fell on the way from the parking lot to the playground.

This merry-go-round-like thing was a hit. Claire liked it too, when I rode it with her.

Claire finally warms up to the water after we'd been there quite a while.

Getting comfortable with the water.

Before bed, with her "potty pass." Now, she is only allowed one trip to the potty per nap/bedtime and must surrender the ticket. This was day one and it works. Much better than the six potty visits post-bedtime last night.

Haircut side view. Not really shorter, but a bit neater.

E and her beads.

Call Day #66, 7/16/11

Morning trip to the post office. Eleanor took books, just in case, but the line was shorter than normal.

She ran out the door ahead of me just to get a look at a trash truck she'd spotted.

Ready and waiting for swim class.

Eleanor swimming around, with flotation devices, but by herself. A first.

Each lesson ends with a few jumps into the water (10ft). Eleanor is getting much more confident in jumping.

Claire eats a snack while we wait for Eleanor to finish her class. She does a good job of not being too restless during 45 minutes of hanging out on the bleachers.

The stepping stones out of the Y are a big hit.

Afternoon snack of yogurt and fresh blueberries. Eleanor thinks it's great that they almost finished off the big tub of yogurt in one sitting. It says 2lb and I think they easily ate 75% of it.

Claire usually closes the pantry locks if I leave them open. How helpful--doing her own childproofing!

Call Day #65, 7/12/11

After a few call free months, the first call day of junior year. We're a third of the way there. (Well, at least through residency...)

Eleanor really wanted Daddy to see how she and Claire like to rock.

Checkup at the doctor's today. Claire is 21 lb, 1 oz (18%), 32.5 inches (92%), weight for height 2%, 47cm head circumference (76%).

What really happens at the doctor's office...

Outdoor library story time.

Little redheads.

Neither one would budge from my lap.

Playing games after stories.

Sorted bears.

Hand puzzle. And crazy hair--it was hot.

After a bath, Eleanor wanted pajamas on and Claire wanted to dress up.

After looking at a cheerleader outfit in her dress up box, we had to go to YouTube to learn about cheerleading. They were pretty enthralled. This one's for you, Tara!

A quick video to show Claire's walking skills. She just happened to be thinking about Daddy.