New Year's Celebrations

Rob, Ella, and I went to the Please Touch Museum this year on New Year's Eve morning. We went last year over the Christmas break and thought that Ella would like it, again, especially since she is one year old now. It snowed a little on our way down and we ended up getting about a half an inch by the time we got back home. The museum was decorated for a party and they had a countdown to 12:00 (noon!) for the kids with shakers, party hats, streamers, balloons, and music. We had a fun morning.

Ella using her shaker to celebrate

driving a car


making a Floam creation


making a New Year's card


Does that tongue out when she concentrates remind you of anyone??


Ella and me on the tram

the domed roof of the museum's building looking upward


playing in the "hospital" area and checking on a patient


seeing how the baby's doing

Ella selecting her groceries in the grocery store section


using the cash register to check out her purchases


playing in the water section with boats and ducks


climbing through the tunnel

Later in the evening, we ate lots of yummy food (including our traditional steamed shrimp) and watched the new Curious George: The Movie that Ella got from Pappy and Baba for Christmas. We also visited our neighbors who had a get-together, and then played Racko after Ella went to bed. As usual, we didn't make it to midnight (but that's okay when you have a toddler who doesn't yet realize the joy of "sleeping in" in the mornings).


On New Year's Day we spent the morning taking our Christmas decorations down and cleaning the house thoroughly, which felt like a great way to start the new year off. Rob helped me prepare a meal for our neighbors (and Ella's friend) who joined us for dinner. We considered pork, but opted for a braised beef stew and vegetables, cheddar mashed potatoes, and a mixed green salad. We had make-your-own brownie sundaes for dessert (a hit with the kids).

Ella (with brownie face), Cynthia, and Liam using Ella's computer