Eleanor & Oscar's Adventures: July 2011

Baby Bird

Eleanor & Oscar attempted to help a baby bird back into the wild.

He spent three nights at our outdoor animal hospital and even received flying lessons. The first night he got trapped in our gutter downspout and Daddy had to carefully extract him. After that he had special accomodations in a shoebox with tissue paper and softed dog kibble. Even with excellent care, he didn't make it. The children took it very well and have him cryogenically preserved for the time being until their cousins return southbound and give him a proper burial as they helped with him as well.

Yesterday a proper burial service was performed for Baby Bird.

The guests had hand-written invitations to the service, their seats had name-labels. We had a viewing followed by eulogies and a moment of silence. The cousins paid a wonderful tribute to a feathered friend that they tried to hard to reacclimate to the wild.

A Day in the District

Our cousins from Florida came to visit and we had a great time sightseeing. This photo was taken right before we went up in the Washington Monument.

At the American History Museum, we saw the First Ladies Inaugeral Dresses exhibit.
This is Michelle Obama's dress.

The girls had fun looking at the doll house & all the miniature collectibles.

Ta-da! The Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

I was thrilled to find artwork by Ketchikan's very own Ray Troll at the Natural History Museum! (photo credit: Eleanor)

The Hope Diamond in its new setting (as of 11/10) "Embracing Hope."

We went to see the Lincoln Memorial at 9pm, it was still 90 degrees and a mob scene!

The President's Seat

We had custard at The Dairy Godmother...again!

Course it helps that they have a flavor of the day so it's always something cold & delish.It's been so hot & humid here, triple digits, ugh. Not fun for this Alaskan girl! Oscar had too much fun sitting in the President's Seat & choosing songs to play on the jukebox.

Irish Dance Camp

Eleanor attended Irish Dance Camp last week.

I enjoyed watching their Camp Song (pictured here, she is in the middle left) as well as their group performances. She was on the Yellow Team, dubbed the "Sunny Smiling Leprechauns." Each team made T-shirts as well. Eleanor led her team on stage for their recital dance, you know I was a proud Momma that morning!

Forever Friends

We had a wonderful evening get together with friends.

Eleanor met Brooklyn, Emma & Cambria when she was only 9 months old...they weren't even walking yet...and they are still friends! It is always wonderful to catch up, I love how easy it is to pick up right where things left off. And I love when my children's friends have wonderful parents for me to befriend too!

Bathing Beauties

Cambria & Eleanor created a "sand chair" during our fun afternoon at the 76th Street (Virginia) Beach. It was a windy day so they were using the umbrella as a wind barrier. We also had fun in the waves with our kickboards. Oscar & I jumped the waves and then screamed "retreat" as we ran for the shore.

Virginia Zoo

While attending "Pandamania" VBS in Norfolk we appropriately went to the Virginia Zoo with our friend Drew & his sister Norah. It was a super hot day so we only braved the newest portion of the zoo, the Asian Trail of the Tiger. The zoo has grown so much since we first became members in 2005. Very pleased to see this great new exhibit!

Oscar & Drew being orangutangs.

Drew & the male orangutang. He was amazing...so beautiful to watch.
When we first got there he was playing with a frozen pizza box. Then his mate crawled in a blue T-shirt and was hiding, finally peeking her head out the neck hole.

Oscar on the look-out for animals.

Oscar the zoo's red panda.

Here he is taking a break from his napping, he's got the life!

Oscar & Drew posing by the River Otters.

They too were sleeping on the shore of their exhibit. With the intense heat I'm surprised they weren't swimming to stay cool.

The Tiger on the prowl.

Sweet Norah's red cheeks say it all...we got ice cream at Doumar's on our way home!

Fun in the Sun

Oscar had fun digging a trench for his dead "pet crab" that he found.

(I spared you photos of the aforementioned pet.)

Using their new "snorklers" as Oscar calls them.

Happy swimmers at East Beach.

Gwen & I catching up and getting some sun.

The Office.

Breakfast anyone? Kristian is loving his "Baconator!"

Birthday Girl

Eleanor turned SEVEN this year! My baby girl is getting so big!
She really wanted this Irish Dance Dress for her doll, we let her open one gift first thing in the morning & she was thrilled! It came with a matching headband, crinolen, bloomers & ghillies.

Mother & Daughter self-portrait before guests arrive for her party.

We went to the newly opened American Girl store in Tyson's Corner. Everyone had an opportunity to pose with Kahnini, the new Hawaiian doll of the year.

During our luncheon party, a surprise gift arrived for Eleanor. A Felicity doll!
She is out of the vault at the store for the grand openening. Eleanor studied her this spring in her American Girl Literarture Club. Felicity is from the Colonial Williamsburg era, which we have been able to visit living in Virginia.