Zack Lunch

Playpals Zack and Olivia broke bread – and assorted non-food items – on campus today. After their meal, the toddling twosome settled down just long enough to allow their parents to snap these shots.

Babies Holding Babies

My baby girl insisted on keeping her baby girl close by while watching some early morning shows.

In a Pinch

During dinner tonight, Olivia decided to forgo the standard mealtime utensils in favor of some tongs she grabbed out of a kitchen drawer.

Pop’s Corn

Olivia requested a redistribution of kettle corn from my bag to hers. I’d like to think that I repeatedly relented to her request because I’m such a considerate father, but the kernel of truth is that my “benevolence” was born of food-as-bribe motives. Her mother and I needed to buy some extra time to pick out a movie.

Tater Tots

The TV-loving tandem of A.J. and Olivia demonstrate what can result from prolonged spells in front of the boob tube: a crazy-eyed desire to munch on one’s fingers.

Reading between the Lines (and Piles of Books)

One of Olivia’s favorite pastimes is to pull the books off the bookshelf in our front room. She then situates herself amongst the readable rubble, ready to rumble and ramble in blackberry bramble (and other children's books).

Dog Days of Summer

Olivia doggedly pursued Max to pose for these pictures. Despite her dog’s obvious indifference, Olivia delighted in throwing her arms around him and exclaiming, “I love you, Maxie!”

Up to Her Ears in Ears

Olivia found the foam ear her mother was carrying around in her purse – it was a promotional item from a cell phone company – and put it up to her ear to listen for the sounds of the ocean.

The ‘Gina Monologues

This morning, our little one made public declarations about her private parts from her potty podium. She continued with her “I got ‘gina” proclamations throughout the day, which led to some awkward, but hilarious moments at the store. Today also marked the first day she went pee in her potty. For the record - our cup runneth over with pride!

In a Pickle

Olivia’s pre-dawn awakening put us in a tough spot. It was far too early to start the day, but much too late to salvage any sleep. Not wanting to fight with her to coax her back to sleep, I carried my half-awake half-pint down to the kitchen for the pre-breakfast of champions – milk and pickles.

Parental Control

We’ve entered the era when Olivia insists on taking charge of every situation. She refuses most of the duties that accompany parental oversight, preferring instead to handle things on her own. She keeps us at bay in her attempts to change her own diaper, put on her shoes, secure her seatbelt, prepare her own food, program her TV shows, and shampoo her hair. I snapped this picture while waiting for her to slip on her sandals.

Peace Out(-ing)

On this day sixty-one years ago, the city and people of Hiroshima were hit by an atomic bomb. Three days later, Nagasaki and its residents were dealt a similar fate. In commemoration of the victims of atomic warfare, our local peace & justice group held a memorial at a city park. My mom, Olivia, and I were in attendance. Olivia worked diligently on her floating lantern, which she later set adrift with her grandma’s help in peaceful remembrance.

The Case for Word Order

Bash Brothers: The nickname of beleaguered (and de-Leaguered) sluggers Mark McGuire and Jose Canseco during their playing days in Oakland.
Brother’s bash: A birthday celebration for my brother marked by delicious cake and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by his dear niece Olivia.

Can’t Spell “Glove” without L-O-V-E

Olivia aspires for a thumb as green as her mommy’s. She insists on helping us out with our various landscaping projects. Our constant gardener digs her pint-sized tools of the trade, especially her new Dora the Explorer gloves.

Squeeze Play

Another example of a random act of kindness (see Olivia, the Kissing Bandit for an earlier version): Olivia embraced Emma Grace, a stranger turned friend, at a store where her mom and grandma were shopping.