Nora Evelyn

Warning: the following video is known by the State of Michigan to cause tooth decay and hyperglycemia in research subjects. Watch at your own risk.

Here is a pair of lost videos from Greenfield Village of Nora riding on things. The first is a very short video of Nora, mommy and grandma on the carousel. The second video is much, much longer and shows Nora being happy about riding on the old steam locomotive.

Way back on September 23rd when Nora was only2 and was but a mere toddler, her grandparents took us all to Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. Somewhat ironically, the task of recording this trip for posterity fell through the cracks and the photos and video taken that day have gone unseen… until now!!! [as always, click for larger image and captions.]

Nora had her second (and, as it happens, final) third birthday party tonight at her Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Many thanks to everyone (at both parties) for the cards and presents and excellent company and birthday wishes! This has been quite a week and we’re not sure how Nora is going to cope with the return to non-holiday & non-birthday life! Just look at the way the joy is positively dripping off her in the movie, though. She’s one very happy little girl and we’re two unbelievably lucky (and happy) parents.

I have absolutely no idea why someone turned out the lights; perhaps it was an attempt to stop us singing? :)

Better luck with the candles next year, Beth and Nora.

Nora’s Aunt Shannon and Uncle Brian gave her this awesome fairy (princess?) dress for her birthday. Here’s the jumpy video we caught of the first moments after putting it on. Nora thinks it is a butterfly dress and who are we to correct her? :)

The title is, of course, an allusion to a classic of American filmmaking and not meant to be an indication that anything exciting happens in this video. :) Nora totally gets the basic objectives of the game ‘catch’ now (even if the motor routines required to support it (like suppressing giggles while the ball is coming) are not quite there yet).

She definitely could play for Michigan’s football team with the skills she demonstrates here (at least as kicker).

Today, as it happens, is Grover’s birthday. Nora learned this and insisted on watching some of his videos which led to her wanting to send him a birthday message. This is that message.

I forgot to post this here back in August. Nora found it earlier today, though, and laughed so hard she literally ended up rolling around on the floor holding her belly. Not shown, Nora tracing an unsteady parabola away from the spinny chair as she tries to run a straight line to the swings. :)

this was was really high! look at her in relation to Jen. Also note that she’s apparently conducting a wall climbing clinic during her ascent (she’s explaining how one climbs a wall as she climbs). Best part: as she crests the top and stands up she says, “kinda slippy” with her adorable little substitution of /l/ with [w].