Monday, April 26, 2010

Burlington, Baby!


Chocolate in the morning: The St. Lawrence Chocolate Factory!!!


Our good friend Matt Carlson is currently performing in a fabulous 2-person show entitled 'My Ohio' in Burlington, VT. We decided to drive over to see him perform this past weekend.

According to Dave, he was incredible (I was on baby-duty). Not only is he a wildly talented actor, playwright, and singer (he also dances a little), he's also fantastic companion. We four had a great time visiting all of the touristy sites that the city had to offer.


Next, we visited Shelburne Farms.


To get to their farm building, we hiked for about 15 minutes through a beautiful landscape of field and forest.


Taa da!


First stop: The chicken yard.


Eleanor realized that chickens don't just live in storybooks.


Eleanor wanted to see if there were any eggs.


Daddy pretended to feed the chickens, and they flocked toward us!



Free-range chickens are friendly!


Eleanor finds that she likes them almost as much as her cats.


Next, we met a goat, but we didn't pretend to feed him anything (we valued our fingers).


Peek-a-boo, we see...


A little pink piglet!


We'll come back again!


Eleanor gets a good parting-view.



We also visited the Burlington Teddy Bear factory and went on a tour!


The chair was for the bear, but Eleanor decided to play Goldie Locks and found that it was juuuuust right.


Eleanor watches the process of Teddy Bear making with interest.


Time out on the tour with Mom.


Eleanor holds sample teddy bear fur.


Time to explore the merchandise!


Bear-y cute, guys.


Finally, we visited the Magic Hat brewery (again).


Eleanor was wild for the lights in the flooring.


We burned off a little excess energy here- and guess who slept the whole ride home?!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

2 more.....

Head and Shoulders. . . Ramona


Eleanor Studies Art


Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Eleanorapalooza 2 (the videos!)



High Heels and a Smile


Hugs All Around




Panic Button



Eleanor Reads



Eleanorapalooza




Monkey see, monkey do (Eleanor is the recipient of lots of hugs)


It has been a while since I've posted a substantial entry. For those that are Eleanor starved (I'm looking at you grandparents and aunties and uncles), this one's for you!


Eleanor in her 'active play' station

During the past few weeks I've organized our dining room into a hybrid playroom-eating room combination. Eleanor just needed a little more play space than she had, and I've had fun configuring the room slightly differently every few days. Currently she has a little reading corner, and a more active place space that are separated from one another by her pack-and-play. Eleanor loves her newly acquired territory (she'll probably take over ever room in the house at this rate. . . wait a minute- she already has!).

Eleanor gets cuddly in her quiet-time reading station


Eleanor now walks between her toy and book boxes


Pack-and-play fun!

Eleanor stands near her coffee table (full of art books that belonged to her Great Grandma MawMaw)

Gracie discovers that when baby is loose, the pack-and-play is best


We found Eleanor some new (used) shoes today. . . They have heels!


I said, "Eleanor can you give me a cheesy smile?"


Fast food

So happy at home


Eleanor says "Duck."


During play time, pants are optional!

p.s. I'll try to post a few videos next!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Friday, April 16, 2010

Eleanor's Busy Brain


On the move in her red velour sweat suit (thank you Rankins!)

Eleanor's little brain has been busy! She now points to things she's interested in and says their names. So far the things that are most important to her are; Momma, Dadda, juice, banana, cat, ball, bubble, book, bear, sock, duck (quack), dog (oof, oof), bow (imagine that!), cheese, fish, grass, and random other things. Each day brings a new word, and we get just as excited each time as if it were her first!


Eleanor give me her 2-toothed grin (one more is finally on the way)


Eleanor enjoys a mild spring day

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter 2010!




We had a beautiful Easter day here in Potsdam. Eleanor enjoyed sun and seventies during her very first egg hunt in the backyard this afternoon, and didn't even need to wear a jacket to church this morning! Our friends Kristen and Josh came over to dye Easter eggs, have cake and follow Eleanor on her hunt. After a day of bright colors, firsts and exercise, Eleanor was very ready to go down for a good night's sleep.


Eleanor's new walking-duck from Grammy and Papa


"I remember waaaay back when this lawn was covered in snow."


Sweet and Mild


Eleanor always has a smile for Daddy


Our Peeps Egg Easter cake


Eleanor gets social at church social-hour


Hugs with Mom

The hunt is on!


An egg is spotted...


Eleanor took to the hunt like an old pro.




Eleanor's new kissy face


"Booo." Says Eleanor.


"Hurry up Mom!"


A good day for Eleanor