Call Day #81, 11/14/11

Mr. Tim is visiting and we went to the Children's Museum this morning. Claire liked building with the big foam blocks.

The tunnels we all made together. They were quickly dubbed "the Japanese house" since the actual Japanese house exhibit that Eleanor really wanted to see was closed.

And in a Japanese house you have to, of course, take your shoes off and sleep on your futon on the floor.

Claire really liked sending the trucks down the ramp. I should've taken a picture of the pile up at the bottom by the time she was done.

Across the bridge. Normally, she's content to follow her big sister around but this time she wanted to stay with the trucks even when Mr. Tim and Eleanor went elsewhere.

Eleanor gets caught crawling out of a tunnel.

After nap, we made an apple pie to go along with our book from last week. Eleanor was pretty involved in the whole (long) process. Rolling the crusts out and grinding cinnamon were her favorite parts.

Claire wanted to play bedtime in the kitchen with Mr. Tim. She brought her blanket, doll, and a story to read.

I somehow managed to get the oven drawer stuck open. Here, Claire and Eleanor are working together (impressive in itself!) to try to close it for me.

When that didn't work, Eleanor suggested pushing with their feet. (In case you're wondering, no luck. We miss your fixing skills, Erik!)

Finished pie. The reason she was so into making the pie? She wanted to put some decorating icing (with princesses on the tubes) on top. Her second slice had sprinkles on top.

Call Day #80, 11/10/11

Claire with her two doggy purses and cell phone.

Getting ready to take Nanny to the airport. Claire was asked to give a big hug for Papa and she really did.

We've talked about evaporation this week and are hoping we can grow sugar crystals from these supersaturated sugar solutions.

Eleanor shows off her snack--Pink Lady apples. She chose them as her favorite among six kinds of apples we tried yesterday. She's in her new princess nightgown (Thanks Brian and Tara!) because she loves it so much that she put it on for nap and didn't take it off afterwards.

We also talked about how cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree and how it has to be ground to get the cinnamon we use. So, I let her grind which she really liked.

Cleaning up the toys in the playroom before bed, Claire demonstrates Mr. Potato Head's mustache.

Call Day #79, 11/6/11

Playing dress up before church

When she pulls out the vacuum, she likes to sing the Cleanup Song.

Afternoon crafts with Nanny. This was a favorite on Nanny and Papa's last visit, and Eleanor requested to "make leaves" again this time.

Completed leaves.

Watching Curious George episodes before bed. This doesn't happen often so it was a treat. Mommy and Nanny were doing their best to clean up Eleanor's room and get it ready for another bed bug treatment.

Bedtime stories with Nanny. Laughing about the Johnny Appleseed book (sometimes called Johnny Applesauce by Eleanor). Eleanor is back to sleeping in the closet for the duration of treatment #2.

Call Day #78, 11/2/11

We had to say goodbye to Grandma this morning. Though we were getting ready to go to the airport, it looks like Eleanor is trying to block Grandma from leaving.

Eleanor works on her US puzzle. We talked some about California this week so we pulled out the puzzle to help her recognize and remember it.

Eleanor and Daddy stack blocks as high as they can. (Wonder why Erik's home on a call day? For this rotation only, he gets to go in around lunch time.)

We talked about family today and how many people have to come before us in order for us to be born. We looked at family tree templates so Eleanor could see that many generations of people had children who had children, all so she could be born. She loved the idea that God had planned for her so long before she was born. Then, we made a (much smaller!) family tree with pictures instead of names.

Finished product. I was only going to put Eleanor at the top but she insisted that Claire should be there too. I'm glad she decided to include her.

Eleanor helped make chili for dinner. First time I let her stir something on the stove like this.

Claire has been learning the alphabet song.

Claire built this tower, and she's about to knock it down. How many blocks is a 20 month-old supposed to stack? Suppose I should go find Erik's Peds text.