Shaved Ice

Eleanor finishes her shaved ice. All of it.

Packing

Pictures

Allie and Taylor doing what they do best. I don't have many pictures from our time at the lake...especially pictures that I'm willing (or allowed) to show.



A two carrot girl is worth more than a two karot diamond. Eleanor pulled these carrots herself and enjoyed them much.



Eleanor loves Donkey. She calls him "hee haw." Donkey caused a bit of a stir this morning by escaping his pen. I'm not a very good donkey herder and no one else (except Eleanor) was home.



My dad took Eleanor fishing. She released the crickets and tried to kiss the fish. I think she liked it.



I thought Eleanor would enjoy painting with water colors. My mom found some paper and we sat outside for some afternoon art. She painted with the brush for awhile, then she had to feel of the paint with her fingers. When her pointer finger was covered, my dad told her to touch her nose. She touched her nose, then proceeded to paint my dad's big toe.

Magic Wardrobe

Behold the actual wardrobe that inspired C.S. Lewis' vision of the gateway to Narnia, on display at Wheaton college's Wade Center. I spent most of hesterday morning in their special collection reading room reading letters sent by JRR Tolkein and George MacDonald. Fun stuff for nerds.

Their collection also includes the desks of Lewis and Tolkein (Where portions of the Lord of the Rings and all of the Hobbit were produced).

Sacred Space

For the past few days I have worshipped daily with fellow ministers of the gospel from traditions, creeds and churches other than my own.

In this space, the chapel of the unnamed faithful, at a methodist seminary outside of chicago, I have experienced the truth that we truly are many members but one body. Thanks be to God.

From one lake to another

chicago's North shore

Dharma Initiative Headquarters

Don't tell anyone, but i've discovered the dharma initiative's secret HQ in Evanston, Il. More on this later.

"Wa-wa"

Eleanor likes the lake. Just like her mom. They'll get to enjoy it for a few more days. Alas, I'm off to Chicago...

Corn of Plenty

Buying corn at walmart with a Slovak, a baby, a mommy, and missionary.

First night at the lake. Beautiful dinner. Wonderful friends. Fading sun over the water and distant thunder. It will be a good week.

Happy Birthday Melody

Test #2

Test #1

This is a test of my new pda phone with wifi internet capabilities. I'm not sure if ill be able to blog mobile while on the road the nxt few weeks, but I'm going to give it a try.

Hi. My name is Matt, and I'm addicted to technology.

Tomato

Eleanor loves to help me water our "garden." I've tried to teach her to merely look at the plants, smell them or blow on them, but sometimes she just can't resist. Yesterday, she plucked this little tomato. Usually she goes for the basil.
Of course, she tried to put it back.


While we were outside, we had to feed the birds (or rather squirrels). If you are wondering, the tu-tu was Eleanor's choice. She got it out of her drawer (it was a hand-me-down) and was frustrating herself trying to put it on. Once she got it on, she didn't like the way the sequins felt under her arms and kept complaining about her "elbow."

Goke and Superhero Quiz

Eleanor has recently taken her reading to an all new level. If I am able and willing we will sometimes read through 10 or more books at a time. One of the books she wanted to read this morning was Yoko by Rosemary Wells. This is a fun diversity-is-good story about a cat whose classmates make fun of her for eating sushi and red bean ice cream. Eleanor calls the book "Goke." We were in Kroger today and passed by the little sushi counter. Eleanor got real excited and exclaimed repeatedly, "GOKE! GOKE!". It seemed like a great way to connect literature to life, so we bought some sushi (since we haven't ever given Eleanor seafood products before it was really veggie rolls). When I got it out and set it on the table, Eleanor excitedly went and found Yoko to show me that it was the same. She didn't actually like the sushi that much. She took it apart and ate the carrots, played with the avocado, and smelled the ginger. She liked to make the seaweed and rice stand up like a wall and have the carrots "knock knock." Then the seaweed became a bed for the carrots to go "night night."



So, everyone's been taking these super hero/villain quizzes lately. I just wanted to join the fun.