More B-day Stuff

Being it was her first birthday we should have known it wouldn't end after one big party. Wendy and I took her out to dinner on her actual birthday. As Eleanor didn't have her heart set on Chuckie Cheese just yet we decided to try Bistro 86 a new Asian-Fusion restaurant in town. We thought it was excellent, although the southwestern pad thai noodles might have been a bit spicy for Nora.


A week after her birthday we stopped by our friends Jim and Francois's house for fruit popsicles and chatting. After playing/chasing their dogs, they brought out some cheese and crackers, unaware how much Nora loves her cheese. We had so much fun we forgot to get her present and they had to drop it off later. The next day our friend Ari from Alabama was in the area and stopped by for a visit and Eleanor got yet another present. Nora had fun showing Ari how she could climb the stairs over and over and over . . .

Thanks to everyone who gave her a gift and helped make the big 1 so special.


Eleanor has really started to "give love" to us and her stuffed animals. I'm not sure there is a better feeling than her giving a hug and laying her head on your shoulder. Here she is giving Wendy a hug.

First Birthday Party - Part Cake

And now, for the very best part of the day....tasting cake for the first time! Geoff took pictures in successsion and yes, one puny cupcake was not enough, our girl had to have a piece of the real birthday cake too!

First Birthday Party - Part 3

First Birthday Party - Part 2

Her is Alex, son of one of Wendy's book-clubbers, taking aim at the birthday sign. He enjoyed knocking golf balls around and even took some swings from the pool, practicing with water hazards I presume.

Our living room was filled with classmates from school and other friends. If you had told Wendy and I two year ago that this is what our living room would look like one day, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have believed it. Miss Ciara, Nora's other teacher, also showed up. We were so pleased that her teachers who see her 5 days a week wanted to come see her on the weekend to help celebrate.
Then we tried to open some gifts. At first Eleanor was more interested in the pop cans than her gifts.
Then we unwrapped a book and that peaked her interest.
She loves her ducks in the bath so this one was and I'm sure will continue to be, a big hit.
Stay tuned for part 3 and part cake!

First Birthday Party - Part 1

So, our little baby is one year old as of July 14th, but we celebrated like rock stars on Saturday! Well, OK, maybe not rock stars, but certainly like proud parents! Mama painted this sign for Nora, which the unexpected rain showers quickly destroyed. Here is Nora's teacher, Ms. Jennie--whom Nora just adores and our friend Dave with his daughter Madeline, a mere four months younger than Nora.
And another Urban Cousin of Nora's: Taryn, all grown up at 2 1/2 and very sweet with Nora, who has been a very happy recipient of Taryn's toys as she grows out of them (exhibit A in the picture).
Here is a view of the back yard as it was set up for the day, with Nora's very special friends in the forefront: Kathy & Steve Arnold (Nora's Nana & Papa--surrogate grandparents who see her every other week for special time because they want to, which we love) and her Auntie Lauren, one of her favorite playmates.
And here is our wonderful friend, Sara (also Taryn's Mama), holding Nora! For those of you who have raved about the Southwest Pasta Salad served at this party, Sara was the chef who brought that dish. She says it is super easy, but I'll bug her for a recipe and post it here when I get it!
And stay tuned, we have THREE more posts full of pictures! It was a very fun day, despite the rain. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and thank you for celebrating Nora's big #1 with us and for keeping her in your lives as she grows.

Pre Fiesta

Tomorrow is the big day, Eleanor's one year birthday party! We have invited family, friends, Wendy's book club members, and all of Nora's classmates from Goddard. We are expecting quite a turnout. Nora has been asleep for 4 hours but her parents have been running around getting the house/food/yard ready . . .we may need a nap tomorrow. To get you all through until party pictures are posted here are some from the past couple weeks.

Static electricity on a trampoline is pretty funny stuff.

Happy about Cheese.

Eleanor loves to read her books.

Comfest with Mama.

Eleanor likes her pasta!

In other news Eleanor will make her television debut on her actual birthday Monday July 14th. She will appear on 10TVs Baby's First Birthday segment which airs about 6:20AM everyday. Wendy and I never knew such a thing existed until we started getting up before the sunrise to catch the morning news.

Publish Post

ComFest-in' it in Columbus

Well, ComFest is probably the Grove Family's official start to summer each year. Last year, Eleanor was actually named there, but this is her first real Columbus Community Festival. She enjoyed everything from the music to pushing her stroller around in the mud, to her first real soft serve ice cream. Here Nora is drinking water and her Daddy is enjoying some festival "juice" And Nora's Uncle Whit came to spend the holiday with us from Chicago. We all love his visits.
ComFest said they would be using this photo for the program cover next year.
Here we are with that first taste of soft serve ice cream. A huge hit, of course!
And, here is Nora with her beautiful and smart cousin, Lindsey, playing on the trampoline. Lindsey is 9 years old, swims competitively and dances, plus is a stellar student. Just recently, she has taken more of an interest in Nora Kate and we all adore watching them together. I have no doubt that Lindsey will influence Nora in many ways as she grows.

For all you Nora fans, here is one more for the road. Just a happy kid playin with her mug. I don't know about you, but I'd buy just about anything from that face. We're havin fun in the sun, trying to get outside, and planning Nora Kate's very first birthday party next week. There will be many posts on that subject as we find the time.