happy valentine's day, elenora!

for valentine's day, elenora and i traveled to rockport for a special afternoon adventure.

cookies were had at j.'s cafe.

this picture was part of ella's card for me and j.

first-born

yesterday elenora had little bear zipped up in her jacket to keep him warm when we ran to the mailbox and back.  when we got in she looked at me and said "little bear is going to be born today" and then she pulled him out from the bottom of her jacket.  "this is when little bear is first-born" she said.  then she packed up a diaper bag for little bear complete with "deodorant, so that you won't be slimy anymore."

boston visit with a. and n.

i'm so lucky every time i see these friends.  a year goes by and it's like a day.

make way for ducklings!

family road trip to portsmouth, nh

ella's first pen pal correspondence

Dear Lorien,

The following was said by Ella and typed by Uncle J.

I like my new pants and I love my new doggy from you.  And I love my bear too.  How are you doing?  I don't know what to say now.

I like to watch a big picture of snow and icicles.  I like to take a sip of Daddy's coffee.  I love to play jumprope.  

That's it.

Love

ella

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Dear Ella,

I miss you a lot Ella.  I'm glad you like your bear and new doggy.  I am doing fine.  I like my new school.  It is friendly and lots of people are very kind.

I like to drink hot coco like you like to drink your daddys coffee.  I don't like coffee much.  How many times can you jump rope  without messing up?  I just learned to jump rope.  I like to ride my bike.  My mommy just took off my training wheels. I'm getting good at it.

Do you like to ride your bike?

It is time for me to go get my Daddy from school.

I love you,
Lorien

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Dear Lorien,

I have my jumprope right now.  It has lots of colors.  

I like hot coco too.  Mommy says I shouldn't have caffeine.  

What is your school like?  What color is your bike?  What color is your helmet too?  

I don't know what to say now.  I am dressed in an outfit today to be scuba diving.  I'm pretending to scuba dive.

I love you.

love, ella

magic

ella, after spending 20 minutes reading quietly next to me as i read my nook that i'd taken out from the library: "i like your magic book!"

my early bird

elenora wakes up bright and early in the morning (by 6 am) and finds all kinds of ways in which to entertain herself until she hears mommy getting up.  this is the sight at the bottom of the stairs this morning: