A morning at the river

A morning at the river
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Terri and Eleanor enjoy a beautiful fall morning on the riverbank, watching the boats go by. Sometimes life is very very good ...

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

Happy Birthday Eleanor!
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

As her fellow celebrants look on, Eleanor blows out the candles at her party in honor of birthday No. 2, held in Sherwood Forest at Fairytale Town near the zoo in Land Park. The "forest" was decorated with an "Animals of the Savannah" theme and Eleanor thought it all was glorious and had a wonderful time. The highlight came when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" ... at the "Happy Birthday dear Eleanor" part, she looked around in amazement and with a huge smile at the realization that this all was for HER. We probably won't have to point that out to her next year ...



It was a beautiful day and so was Eleanor.

Zebras and giraffes, oh my ...

Zebras and giraffes, oh my ...
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor's fascination with the animals of the Savannah gave way to the theme for her second birthday party, with the cake as the centerpiece. The folks at Freeport Bakery did a great job decorating the cake to mirror the party decorations, which featured animal masks made painstakingly by hand by Eleanor's grandmother DD.

New 'do

New 'do
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor is looking very grown-up with her new haircut, just in time for her birthday party. She sat very still (well, mostly, anyway) in her mom's lap while hairdresser Brenda LaFrano snipped away. Eleanor really lit up when she saw the results in the mirror -- and so did we. A cute little girl deserves a cute little haircut.

SHAMELESS PLUG

SHAMELESS PLUG
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Hello everyone. My name is Eleanor, and I would like to recommend a fabulous book, MY CITY WAS GONE, by Dennis Love. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think you will, too! It will be in bookstores everywhere Aug. 15 or shortly thereafter, or you can order now from Amazon or your favorite other online bookseller. Buy dozens for your friends!

The old reliable

The old reliable
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

For sheer entertainment value, nothing beats a big empty cardboard box in the back yard on a hot summer day.

I have no caption for this one.

I have no caption for this one.
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

But perhaps one isn't needed.

Will my pancakes EVER arrive?

Will my pancakes EVER arrive?
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Flower girl

Flower girl
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Little E. checks out the floral department during a visit to Trader Joe's. Not surprising that she would be drawn to the "Ladybug."

Bath time

Bath time
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor and her rubber ducky always have a blast during bath time.

HAPPY JULY FOURTH

HAPPY JULY FOURTH
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor loved her first stateside Independence Day celebration at the annual Bartley-Cavanaugh block party, attended by some 250 festive revelers. If she keeps growing, next year she'll make a run at the 6-and-under hula hoop contest ...

Eleanor on parade

Eleanor on parade
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Little E. was one of the many stars of the kids parade at the annual Bartley-Cavanaugh July 4th block party.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor points to one of the many sights Saturday at the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco. An estimated 1 million people lined the route but no one enjoyed the festivities more than Little E., who danced and waved and simply had a ball.

Checking it out

Checking it out
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor is enthralled by her first visit to the ocean Sunday in San Francisco.

China sisters

China sisters
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

We recently had the pleasure of spending a Saturday in Berkeley with Hal Plotkin and Loren Stein and their beautiful daughter, Keira. Hal and Loren were in our group that traveled to Hunan to be united with our wonderful girls. Here Keira and Eleanor stop for a split-second while playing at the Children's Museum in Berkeley.

Christmas morning

Christmas morning
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor gives a new friend a whirl on Christmas morning.

Ready for Sunday lunch

Ready for Sunday lunch
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Terri and Eleanor pose before heading for lunch at Grandma's.

On the beach

On the beach
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor and her mom discuss strategy during Eleanor's first visit to the ocean.

Cajun fun in SFO

Cajun fun in SFO
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor and her dad pose for a picture during brunch at PJ's Oyster Bed Sunday morning in the Sunset District. Dennis proudly wears the Mardi Gras beads that the waitress presented to Eleanor, who thought they looked better on Daddy. PJ's has long been one of Terri and Dennis' favorite San Francisco haunts, and it was fun to take Eleanor there. And of course, nothing says "Chinese New Year" quite like Louisiana cuisine.

Eleanor and Bette: A Love Story

Eleanor and Bette: A Love Story
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

They've been virtually inseparable from the very beginning. Who knew, when Dorothy Korber's sister Bette came visiting bearing a gift bear purchased at a San Francisco museum, that Eleanor and "Bette" (as we call the bear in honor of its origin) that would become constant companions? She has other stuffed friends -- Peter Rabbit, Herschel the dog, Olivia the pig, Mary the Care Bear, Prince the purple unicorn, and of course Smyrna, her first bear who traveled with her from China -- but Bette has become first among not-so-equals. The latest evidence: Bette's appointment as Eleanor's official escort to the Teddy Bear Tea in San Francisco today (also attended by her mother and grandmother). Report forthcoming.

Trick or treat?

Trick or treat?
Originally uploaded by Dennis&Terri.

Eleanor heads out for her very first Halloween dressed as a blooming flower -- a "China blossom," for sure. (Note the ladybug bag.) She was a major sensation along Cavanaugh Way.