Call Day #86, 12/31/11

Playing new game Cootie before breakfast. 

 Claire tries to roll the dice.

Mostly they end up throwing it and chasing it around the kitchen. 

 Lots of recyclables to take to Costco.  Eleanor gets the money for returning them, a little job of sorts for her.

Last time we were in Aldi she really wanted to buy a new cup.  She's been asking to go back and today spent her own money to buy a new Tinkerbell cup. 

Claire keeps close watch on the grapes.  Her requested items?  Cheese sticks and "banas" (bananas). 

We dropped by the hospital to take lunch to Daddy and got to see him for just a few minutes. 

I was pretty daunted by all the things that needed to be carried up from our grocery shopping.  Thankfully, Eleanor took it upon herself to carry up everything we bought except for the gallons of milk, laundry detergent, and big pack of apples.  Claire got in on the act too.

 Here comes Claire delivering an item while Eleanor directs.

 Showing me what she brought.

I had dropped all the groceries on the stairs right inside the door on the first floor.  They brought them up to the third floor mostly one or two items at a time.  Here they are going up and down.

Claire crawling up with a container of yogurt. 

 We did a little craft this afternoon.  Making some noisemakers (paper plates with dried beans inside) after I explained to Eleanor that tomorrow we start a new year.

Claire's creation. 

Eleanor's painted, sequined, ribboned noise maker.

Call Day #85, 12/28/11

 Proudly making her own oatmeal this morning.  She was doing all the steps herself.  Nice to sit back and let her help herself!

Waiting to see the dentist, the kids enjoy the blocks in the waiting room. 

This dental practice still amazes me.  They make it so fun that Eleanor really loves going.  Check out the shades she gets to wear to make the bright light not so harsh. 

Teeth flossing.  Eleanor had a little mirror so she could take a look at what they're doing at any point. 

We were technically done at the dentist but apparently the blocks are really fun.  Stayed and played for a little while. 

Claire swinging her new mittens on their mitten clips. 

 The rest of the day was mostly playing with a succession of new toys from Christmas.  Eleanor does tangrams before lunch.

I could tell Claire wasn't napping but didn't know that she'd been pulling every diaper within reach into her bed.  (She's in the Pack N Play because she jumped in her crib and broke it; awaiting repair.  Can you tell her dresser's missing all its drawers?  Result of bed bug treatment.  BUT, while we're on the topic--no bites since first treatment, almost a week ago!)

Claire checks out the progress of our capsule which dissolves in water to give a foam dinosaur.  The kids love these and we're doing one a day. 

Eleanor traces letters. 

 And checks to see what they look like.

 Claire cooked for me this afternoon, using her new kitchen tools.  And in her new slippers too.

Doing puzzles. 

Eleanor in a dark room with her glow stick.  These have been a huge hit and, of course, their glow must be tested in every room on the main floor.  The girls also like taking them to bed which makes for a fun bedtime singing of "This Little Light of Mine."

Call Day #84, 12/21/11

 Group picture with friends at local nursing home.  We delivered cards to residents and sang a few Christmas songs.

 Nanny came this afternoon!  Playing with the nativity set.

Call Day #83, 12/17/11

Before we even ate breakfast, a delightful way to start our day together!  The kids discovered they really like U2.

While I did some cleaning of Claire's room (still trying to fight bed bugs), the girls played together.  They worked together on this book with magnets and managed to not yell at each other/fight over whose it was/etc.  We've had glimpses of happy playing together this week and it has been wonderful!

We opened our Christmas box from Grandma and Grandpa, and they put the presents under the tree. 

There was also a funny Christmas hat.  As seen on very snotty Claire.

Eleanor's turn.

Peeling a clementine called for glasses to "keep the juice from going in my eyes."  Not a bad idea.  Like wearing very fancy safety goggles.

Working on the ornaments Nanny sent in the mail.  When the top black layer is scratched off, there are different colors underneath.

After nap we went to a birthday party for our friend Judah.  There were train crafts to do.

And a train lollipop which was essentially all Claire wanted for dinner.

 The highlight might have been being allowed to jump on the couch and leap off of it onto pillows below.  I think Eleanor could hardly believe it.  We are clearly not the most fun parents around.  Eleanor, Isaac, Claire, Naomi, and Ruby were all enjoying themselves.

 "We said 'Happy Birthday!' and then we clapped and then we LEAPED off the couch!"--Eleanor

Judah, Claire, and Ambrose spent quite a bit of time taking magnets off the fridge and putting them back on. 

Call Day #82, 12/13/11

At Aldi bagging cereal we bought for Daddy

Claire showing off her arm after repeatedly dragging it through the mustard at lunchtime

Playing the piano in Costco