Putting away the groceries, Ellie-style

Apparently, she loves a cheese pillow.

Mud puddle!

Ellie's first time sledding on a hill

Visiting the elephants & giraffes for Mama/Ellie Day

Running toward the elephant & giraffe barn

Watching the harbor seals from a distance

Griffy sat down while we were there (I'd never seen a giraffe sit before; have you?). A volunteer said that his arthritis is acting up, poor guy.

Baby Kenya

Ellie eagerly anticipates the elephant parade.

The elephant parade! They did 4 laps of the building before coming over to start their baths.

So cute! Ginny holds Kate's tail.

Ellie loves the elephant parade.

See?

She brought her elephant (whom she named Ginny after the largest elephant at this zoo) to trumpet at the real elephants. Super cute!

The elephants raise their feet for restraints. (Side note: We've seen them take baths before, but this was the first time I saw them use restraints. However, there were only 2 keepers today; usually, there's one keeper for each elephant.)

It was sleeting this morning, but Ellie and I went to the zoo anyway. We spent over an hour in the elephant & giraffe barn! Ellie loved talking with the keepers, watching the elephants eat grapes, celery, and broccoli, and seeing the elephants parade around the building. She also liked watching Kenya, the baby giraffe, eat leaves from tall branches. We had a great Mama/Ellie Day!

Ellie's point of view

Clara, right at Ellie's level

The backyard

Our new roof! I was taking pictures of it, so Ellie took a few as well.

Shopping at Trader Joe's

MumMum!

Self-portrait

Kiddie tables in the living room

Reuben in the kitchen

Clara in the entryway

Mama & Mumzy

The porch

Mumzy & Mama in the car

Mama & Reuben

Another self-portrait

She took so many pictures of her feet!

We gave Ellie a camera for Christmas and it's been a huge hit. Tonight was the first time I downloaded her pictures, though. I love seeing things from her perspective! I wish the camera took better pictures, but these are sort of artsy, no?

Ellie and the Biggest Gummy Bear in the World!

Many thanks to Auntie Jenny for bringing this 1-lb. gummy bear all the way back from FAO Schwarz in New York!

Opening a box from Grammy & Grandpa

Thanks for the great presents for Ellie!

She picked out her own outfit again!

What a look, huh? She's "racing in the parade" in this picture.

At the Children's Museum for Mumzy/Ellie Day