Xisca, Ken y Clara

time for a little rest

2008-05-28T22:15:00.001-04:00

on a bendy branch
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

A warm spring day, a morning walk, a gnarly old tree, time together: what more can you ask?

imitation giraffe

2008-05-28T22:13:00.001-04:00

apple blossoms
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Teamwork: the best way to get a snootful of apple pollen.

Sunday stroll

2008-05-28T22:12:00.001-04:00

walking with Papa
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Looks like Papa could use a few more laps around this circle trail, to work off some of that extra padding around the middle....

the world in a flower

2008-05-28T22:10:00.001-04:00

dandelion and violets
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

This photo is one of Papa's favorites -- a copy sits on his desk at work.

fields in springtime

2008-05-28T22:09:00.001-04:00

apple trees in bloom
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Enjoying our first really warm Sunday this spring with a walk in the park.

worth 1000 words

2008-05-28T22:07:00.001-04:00

fun with Mama
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Some photos say it all....

white and blue

2008-05-28T22:06:00.001-04:00

painted hearts
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Nothing like a little face-paint to brighten up a rainy day indoors.

WHEEE!

2008-05-28T22:05:00.001-04:00

pirouette!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Our little spinner in action.

getting ready for class

2008-05-28T22:03:00.001-04:00

warming up
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

As any ballerina will tell you, preparation is crucial....

what a charmer

2008-05-28T22:02:00.001-04:00

un beso para Daniel
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Daniel Friday gets a kiss during a visit with Pete and Sue.

yummy cake!

2008-05-28T22:01:00.001-04:00

yummy cake!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

"All for me? REALLY? Yay!!!"

feliz cumpleanos

2008-05-28T22:00:00.001-04:00

feliz cumpleanos
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Something about a birthday cake brings out the best in everyone.

at GG's house

2008-05-28T21:58:00.001-04:00

at GG's house
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Two happy girls!

candlelight Christmas

2008-05-28T21:57:00.001-04:00

ready for dinner!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Time for a yummy Christmas Eve dinner at Grandma's house....

the three of us...

2008-01-25T12:59:00.001-05:00

at Grandma's house
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

...at Grandma's house for dinner on Christmas Eve.

"Se llama Pedro!"

2008-01-25T12:57:00.001-05:00

with a GIANT teddy bear
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

The BIG gift this year -- in more ways than one -- was this fluffy stuffed bear. He's a regular companion for bedtime stories now....

"Toys, please!"

2008-01-25T12:53:00.001-05:00

with Santa
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

At just under 3 years old, Clara really got the hang of the whole Santa Claus thing this year. From a certain point of view, that's a mixed blessing at best. But from the parents' seeing-through-a-child's-eyes point of view, it's ALL good....

yummy

2008-01-25T12:49:00.001-05:00

Christmas lollipop
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Candy cane? No, thanks. There's nothing like a bright yellow lollipop for getting into the holiday spirit.

There's no such thing...

2008-01-17T18:17:00.001-05:00

snowy day
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

...as "bad weather" -- there's only "inappropriate clothing." Here Clara demonstrates that she and Mama have absorbed the wisdom of that observation quite thoroughly!

snow bunny

2008-01-17T18:14:00.001-05:00

bundled up
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Working up an appetite for a nice mug of hot chocolate.

the shades are NOT optional

2008-01-17T18:11:00.001-05:00

rockin' out
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Like bacon & eggs, peanut-butter & jelly, steak & potatoes, Sant Antoni y llonganisa: Clara's electric guitar & her hip sunglasses just go together naturally.

sharing secrects with GG

2008-01-17T18:07:00.001-05:00

sharing secrects with GG
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Here's great-Grandma sharing her secrets for a long, active, vibrant and happy life with Clara. Rule #17: always look your best!

a couple of pumpkinheads

2008-01-17T14:03:00.001-05:00

pickin' punkins with papa
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara and Papa at Trax Farms, enjoying another Harvest Festival.

girls' night out

2008-01-17T14:01:00.001-05:00

girls' night out
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara getting to know her extended family: (L to R) Aunt Dawn, Grandma, Cousin Amelia, Clara and Mama.

flamingos

2008-01-17T13:58:00.001-05:00

flamingos
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Who would have expected to find the National Aviary in Pittsburgh? Who knew there was such a thing as a "National Aviary"? Nevertheless, here it is, and we had a nice afternoon strolling around inside, checking out all our exotic feathered friends. The flamingos get a pretty sweet deal (relatively speaking), with a nice big lagoon to wade around in.

splish splash

2008-01-17T13:54:00.001-05:00

splish splash
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Enjoying a family day at the children's museum.

Feelin' groovy

2008-01-17T13:53:00.001-05:00

flower girl
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Flower power in action.

GG's yellow cat

2008-01-17T13:52:00.001-05:00

GG's yellow cat
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

There's something about this ceramic doorstop that absolutely captivates Clara's attention, every time we visit great-Grandma's house.

Who's a little fish?

2008-01-17T13:50:00.001-05:00

swimming
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Here's a rare moment...

2008-01-17T13:49:00.001-05:00

end of summer: relaxin'
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

...of peace and quiet under the sun.

Papa soon learned that it's futile to bring a book to the pool. If you look closely, you can see that Clara is just about to hop off her lounger and begin a flat-out sprint toward the diving board and deep end (again) -- with Papa and Mama in hot pursuit.

"Hey Mr. Tree -- don't poke me!"

2008-01-17T13:44:00.001-05:00

"Hey Mr. Tree -- don't poke me!"
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara learns a hard lesson about pointy sticks and branches under the backyard oak.

It's a hard life...

2008-01-17T13:43:00.001-05:00

la vida dulce
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

...but someone's gotta live it.

Many thanks to Grandpap and Debbie for letting us share the swimming pool at Valleybrook all summer long.

brothers

2008-01-17T13:40:00.001-05:00

brothers' visit
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

After waiting almost 46 years, Mark and Ken finally got to meet for a few beers and find out about each other's life stories. Notice the family resemblance?

made in the shade

2008-01-17T13:38:00.001-05:00

in a shady spot
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara just loves hanging out under the oak tree on our back hillside. She got her first tree-climbing lessons from Papa last summer.

Happy birthday

2008-01-17T13:36:00.001-05:00

a singing card!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

There's nothing like a birthday dinner at Grandma's to bring out the jollies in everyone.

Mmm, candy!

2008-01-17T13:34:00.001-05:00

Mmm, candy!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Nile, Grace and Clara pass the time with a movie -- and some movie snacks -- on a rainy day in Maine.

action photo

2008-01-17T13:33:00.001-05:00

jamming on a djembe
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara demonstrates that she definitely has some of Papa's *ritmo* genes.

sitting in on djembe....

2008-01-17T13:31:00.001-05:00

playin' in the band
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Despite the unusual lineup -- bass, drums, vocals and harmonica -- these guys sounded FANTASTIC. The whole reception was dancing and rocking all night long, and calling for more after four sets and an encore. Just great, great fun had by all...

...until the local authorities dropped by to break up the party, that is. Something about a gross violation of child labor laws....

swing your partner(s)!

2008-01-13T15:18:00.001-05:00

Grandma, Paul and Clara
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara gets a hand onto the dancefloor with her Grandma and brand new Uncle Paul.

Felicitaciones y salud!

2008-01-13T15:15:00.001-05:00

Dawn, Paul and guests
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Dawn and Paul could absolutely not have asked for a nicer day or a friendlier group of friends and family to celebrate their wedding. The old Pittsburgh tradition that it's not a REALLY good reception until the bride's family gets into a brawl with the groom's went happily unfollowed all day (and into the wee small hours of the night).

kicking up their heels

2008-01-13T15:10:00.001-05:00

tearing up the dancefloor
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Grace, Amelia and Clara get jiggy wit' it while doing their best impression of that famous painting by Matisse.

Bride and Groom

2008-01-13T15:08:00.001-05:00

the Happy Couple
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Paul and Dawn bask in their first few moments of wedded bliss....

Here's a wedding party...

2008-01-13T15:06:00.001-05:00

the bride's half of the wedding party
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

...getting ready to party at a wedding! Left to right: Nile, Elias, Dawn, Linda, Grace and Amelia.

las bonitas primas

2008-01-13T15:04:00.001-05:00

Clara and Amelia
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Two beautiful cousins, outside the Old Schoolhouse just before the ceremony. It's impossible to overstate what a poised, intelligent and charming young lady Amelia has grown into....

This looks better...

2008-01-13T14:59:00.001-05:00

long fingers come in handy
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

... than it sounds -- at least for now. But who knows where years of lessons and practice might get us? To Carnegie Hall? In therapy for the rest of our lives? Either or both are equally likely, I think....

some cousins

2008-01-13T14:55:00.001-05:00

Nile, Clara and Elias
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Here Nile, Clara and Elias get ready for their Mom/Aunt Dawn's wedding. Nile's escaping pocket hanky was inexpertly folded by Uncle Kenny. I'm tempted to dust off the old chestnut about "a rose between two thorns" -- especially because Nile and Elias are both looking SO sharp!

horsey or comfy chair?

2008-01-13T14:51:00.001-05:00

horsey or comfy chair?
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara and cousin Elias passing the time watching a movie in Dawn & Paul's house on a rainy day in Maine.

a short walk...

2008-01-13T14:49:00.001-05:00

a short walk...
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara and cousin Nile enjoy a little stroll out over the water near Bar Harbor, Maine, during our trip to celebrate Aunt Dawn and Uncle Paul's wedding in August.

...on a long pier

2008-01-13T14:47:00.001-05:00

...on a long pier
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Hey, Nile: see any of those famous Maine "lob-stahs" down there?

stingrays!

2008-01-13T14:44:00.001-05:00

stingrays!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

There's something irresistable about a tunnel -- any tunnel, even if it's filled with fish. But even the chance to go eye-to-eye with a stingray is no match for the pure tunnel-ness of this tank, which just begs to be run through (repeatedly).

at the zoo

2008-01-13T14:40:00.001-05:00

with Mia in the monkey house
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

We joined our good friends Janine and Craig for a visit to the zoo with their two daughters, Julia and Mia, one summer day. Here are Clara (left) and Mia (right) getting an eyeful of the monkeys in action.
Have you ever smelled the inside of a monkey house in the height of summer? If so, then you know this is a moment that Clara and Mia are likely to remember all their lives. If not, let's just say it's sort of like Proust's madeleine, only more so -- much, MUCH more so....

hors d'oeuvres with GG

2008-01-13T14:34:00.001-05:00

hors d'oeuvres with GG
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara and her great-Grandma enjoy soem yummy snacks before dinner at Grandpap's house.

"Papa Noel" y Clara, descansando

2008-01-13T14:32:00.001-05:00

"Papa Noel" y Clara, descansando
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

With Grandpap's birthday presents all opened, it's time to relax and take a break from all that hard work.

a birthday present for Grandpap

2008-01-13T14:30:00.001-05:00

a birthday present for Grandpap
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara helps Grandpap open one of his birthday presents.

making music, again (as always)

2008-01-11T12:56:00.001-05:00

backyard chimes
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Family picnics can be great fun, no matter where you go -- Mallorca or McMurray. Here we are relaxing in the sun and shade in Grandpap and Debbie's backyard.

con la cortina Mallorquina

2008-01-11T12:53:00.001-05:00

con la cortina Mallorquina
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

I can't remember if we bought this fabric in Llubi or Lloret, but it was FAR off the beaten path, and it's 100% typically Mallorquina. Xisca's Mom very graciously transformed our bolt of cloth into a beautiful curtain almost four years ago, and we've carried it with us ever since. Now it hangs in Clara's room.

running with Rabbit

2008-01-11T12:49:00.001-05:00

running with Rabbit
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara has the same little dimple -- on her cheek, just below her left eye -- as her Mom. Lots of BIG smiles will do that for you, I guess....

ain't nobody here but us chickens

2008-01-11T12:47:00.001-05:00

fora vila
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Christian provides an impromptu roost while his amazing padrina and Ken feed a young rooster, and Clara looks on fascinated. When we go for visits to the magnificant "fora vila" house, the chicken coops are one of Clara's favorite places to visit....

un merienda a Lluc

2008-01-11T12:43:00.001-05:00

un merienda a Lluc
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

There are some beautiful picnic spots nestled among the trees near the monastery at Lluc. Here are padrina y padri, relaxing in the cool mountain air....

una de las fuentes de Lluc

2008-01-11T12:40:00.001-05:00

una de las fuentes de Lluc
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

One of the "must-sees" on any trip to Mallorca is the mountain monastery at Lluc -- just getting there on the narrow, switchback highway up the cliffs is an adventure!

"vien aqui, gatito...!"

2008-01-11T12:38:00.001-05:00

"here, kitty kitty...!"
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Xisca and Clara have some fun with one of the many tame cats that patroll the grounds outside the monastery at Lluc.

la playa favorita de Papa (Costa des Pins)

2008-01-11T12:33:00.001-05:00

a la Costa des Pins
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

It's about an hour drive from Xisca's hometown of Manacor, and the sand isn't quite as powdery-fine as you'll find in Hawaii, but Papa loves this sheltered beach on the Costa des Pins, in the northeast corner of Mallorca.
Is it the crystal-clear, champage-like Mediterranean water? The wooded mountains rising up from all sides? The mellow, uncrowded vibe? Or the incongruous, well-stocked, bar just steps from the beach? Your correct answer is "(E) All of the above."

con amigos en San Llorenc

2008-01-11T12:26:00.001-05:00

con amigos en San Llorenc
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

You'd be smiling, too, if you knew your rambunctious 3-year-old was being ably supervised by a handful of VERY patient older daughters of Xisca's best freinds -- while all the grown-ups relaxed around the table at Michaela's beautiful restaurant, on the plaza in San Llorenc....

con su Tia Antonia

2008-01-11T12:22:00.001-05:00

con su Tia Antonia
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Visits to Pedro y Antonio's finca are always one of the highlights of our visits to Mallorca. There's nothing quite like the love and affection of family, as this photo so clearly illustrates....

clickety-clack, to Soller and back

2008-01-11T12:20:00.001-05:00

en el tren a Soller
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Here we are in one of the beautifully-preserved passenger cars on the narrow-gauge Palma-to-Soller railway.

Waiting for the train

2008-01-11T12:18:00.001-05:00

el estacion de Bunyola
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Papa and Clara chill out at the Bunyola station while waiting for the train. Bunyola is in the Tramunta mountains, about halfway between the port city of Palma and the mountain town of Soller.

beep, beep (splish, splash)

2008-01-11T12:14:00.001-05:00

water taxi!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

This little inflatable taxi/raft was one of the all-star toys of our visit to Mallorca.

en la casa de Monica: fiesta!

2008-01-11T12:12:00.001-05:00

tocando la guitarra con Guille
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara gets into the musical action with tio Guille and tia Monica after a late supper at Monica's house in the country.

en el patio de los abuelos

2008-01-11T12:05:00.001-05:00

los primos feliz
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Xisco, Clara and Maria-Antonia keeping out of the hot afternoon sun before lunch at abuelo y abuela Sureda's house.

mayo en Mallorca

2007-09-06T12:58:00.001-04:00

en el corral
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Hard to think of a better place to relax than the patio of #98, Calle Jordi Sureda, in the late afternoon spring sunshine....

fiesta a casa Cody

2007-09-06T12:54:00.001-04:00

at julia's birthday party
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Craig and Janine hosted a wonderful 5th birthday party for Julia this spring. It was wonderful to see Sid, Jenny and Mrs. Fiorina again, and all the kids had a ball making hats, playing on the swings and in the sand, scarfing yummy sanwiches, etc. The ice-cream-and-cake sugar buzz came in handy for Mama and Papa when we had to chase down Clara at the end of the day.

"It's just a box of juuuu-ice / I don't know who put it there...."

backyard harvest

2007-09-06T12:48:00.001-04:00

picking dandelions
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Does anyone have a good recipe for dandelion greens? Somewhere I read that the secret is to pick them before they flower: true? And has anyone ever tasted dandelion wine -- or is that just a myth from some old `60s lyric?

Dandelion: weed or flower?

2007-09-06T12:45:00.001-04:00

a ray of sunshine
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

It all depends on your point of view, I guess. Another of those cliches that happens to be true: one of the child's greatest gifts is teaching her parents how to see the world all over again....

sobre la barriga de Papa

2007-04-15T15:10:00.001-04:00

playing with a bookmark
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Y'know, that new "pantxa" that Papa carries around these days makes a perfect easy-chair for a little girl...

pensive little girl

2007-04-15T15:06:00.001-04:00

penny for your thoughts?
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

We recently watched the old Bogey classic, "The Big Sleep." Papa thinks that Clara looks like Lauren Bacall may have looked at two years old -- only time will tell....

make a wish

2007-04-15T15:03:00.001-04:00

coins in the fountain
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

One highlight of Xisca's visits to the mall with Clara during bad weather is a stop at the fountain to toss in a few coins and wishes.

Giddyup, horsey!

2007-04-15T15:01:00.001-04:00

"arri, caballo!"
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

I think they stopped making these cool spring-loaded rocking horses 20 or 30 years ago, no doubt thanks to a few accidental dismounts and the development of personal injury liability law. But anyone of a certain age will surely remember cranking away many happy hours on one of these things.

Luckily, BC still has his (along with a treasure trove of vintage toys for Chloe and friends), and this shot gives some idea of the fun still to be had on ol' Spring-biscuit....

stocking up on anti-freeze

2007-04-15T14:55:00.001-04:00

BC and Ken
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

The back of BC's lot is a beautiful wooded valley that runs down to a driving range, way at the bottom of the hill. A bit of scouting in the woods quickly yields a bucketful of range balls, which can then be re-launched back over the trees to the range with a decent fairway shot from the backyard.

Of course, if you want to do this in a snowstorm like we had the Saturday before Easter, proper equipment and preparation are essential. Here we are, demonstrating correct warm-up form....

wheeee...!

2007-04-15T14:48:00.001-04:00

the swing's the thing
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Never too cold for a ride on the swing....

What's this?

2007-04-15T14:47:00.001-04:00

one is hiding in plain sight at the Easter egg hunt
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Many thanks to Brian and Stacy for hosting an Easter egg hunt at their home, despite below-freezing temperatures. Lots of fun had by all.

green pajamas

2007-04-15T14:45:00.001-04:00

"can I get some help out of this chair, please?"
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Here's a growth-marketing opportunity: how about some adult-sized footy-pajamas for cold weather?

in the studio with Mama & Clara

2007-04-15T14:41:00.001-04:00

painting is serious business
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Xisca is such an amazing Mama: she finds time every day to whip up some creative play activities for Clara. The paint box is especially popular these days....

bicycle kick or can-can?

2007-04-13T17:25:00.001-04:00

Rockette practice
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

At two years old, it's anyone's guess -- especially as Clara likes to dance as much as she likes to play with her little soccer ball.

a favorite bedtime book

2007-04-13T17:22:00.001-04:00

"Goodnight noises everywhere...."
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Day or night, "Goodnight Moon" is always a favorite. If anyone knows of a place to get girls' toddler clothes in any color besides a zillion shades of pink, please let us know.

life is good

2007-04-13T17:18:00.001-04:00

two beautiful girls
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Papa's two favorite smiles in the whole world.

"Open the pod bay doors, Hal."

2007-04-13T17:17:00.001-04:00

playing with light
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Hey! It's a giant version of the old "Lite-Brite" toy! Papa's not afraid to admit that he spent more time playing with this thing than almost any of the kids in the room.

Retailing: it runs in the family

2007-04-13T17:13:00.001-04:00

"How much do I owe?"
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara gets some expert training in "Customer Service 101" from a long-time veteran of the retail trenches. The prestige value of this kind of work may be zero, but there's no better way to see an unfiltered, unmediated cross-section of the society we live in....

the Mini Cooper is just a little too big....

2007-04-13T17:09:00.001-04:00

vroom vroom!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Another stop at the Children's Museum: the mechanical room, which includes a door-less car for the kids to play in. She's a little short to reach the clutch pedal, but she loved to work the manual shifter -- a very good sign. If Papa gets to give the driving lessons, she'll be a good parallel-parker, too....

"It's not AGGRESSIVE driving, it's DECISIVE driving...." Another favorite: "The faster we drive, the sooner we'll be off the road...."

nuestra pintorita

2007-03-24T17:14:00.001-04:00

nuestra pintorita
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

If you've visited us at home, you've seen Amy Novelli's painting "The Crow Flies" hanging prominently (at that size, there's no other way). It's an, uh..., unusual painting, not to everyone's taste, but we really like it.

And Clara does, too. Even as a tiny baby, she used to gaze contentedly at that painting while she nursed. So, when she had a chance to make her own work, what colors did she choose? The same ones that Amy did for her vision of a crazy bird/dog twenty years ago. Pretty cool....

"That looks like fun!"

2007-03-24T16:43:00.001-04:00

Clara & Julia
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

We were very happy to meet up with good friends Craig, Julia and Mia on this visit (Janine had prior commitments, unfortunately). This kind of stuff is always way better when you have somebody besides the grown-ups to share it with!

in the water room

2007-03-24T16:39:00.001-04:00

splish splash
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

The whole top floor of the Children's Museum is called "the Water Room" for its ingenious installation of various interactive ponds, puddles, fountains and various little floaty things. There are even raincoats and boots for the kids to wear while they play.

Raingear notwithstanding, you'll definitely need a set of dry clothes afterward. The boots, for example, do a better job of catching water like little foot-shaped rubber buckets than they do of keeping socks dry....

"Here comes the CatBus!"

2007-03-24T16:33:00.001-04:00

watching clips from "My Neighbor Totoro"
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Another room at the Children's Museum is currently dedicated to Japanese manga and anime. If you haven't already seen Hayao Miyazaki's classic "My Neighbor Totoro," rent a copy today! Kids or no kids, it's a wonderful movie....

piano practice at the Children's Museum

2007-03-24T16:27:00.001-04:00

four-handed boogie-woogie barrelhouse blues -- oh yeah!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Clara and a new friend try out the player-piano in the Mister Rogers room of this wonderful northside facility. You've never really heard "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" until you hear it accompanied by mechanical drums, bells and random added notes, as you do here.

"I can help, Mami!"

2007-03-24T16:20:00.001-04:00

practicing for future chores
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Well, maybe not quite yet, since the vacuum is still taller and heavier than Clara (but not for much longer). For the moment, we'd be thrilled if Clara would just manage to keep all her cheerios, grapes, pointy little plastic toys (ouch!), etc. off the floor a little more often.

un manto de nieve, blanco y tranquilo

2007-03-24T16:14:00.001-04:00

a quiet, peaceful view from the patio
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Climate change? What climate change?

We finally got our first snowfall of the season in February....

Curious scientist or G. Gordon Liddy?

2007-03-24T16:08:00.001-04:00

"Ooooh..., wiggly shiny things! I wonder if I can grab them...?"
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

This near-disastrous practical demonstration of the difference between COLD (popsicle in right hand) and HOT (birthday candles almost in left hand) was narrowly averted by the swift intervention of a parental hand (just out of view at the bottom of the frame).

la Princesa de la casa

2007-03-24T15:58:00.001-04:00

echoes of Princess Leia with a light saber
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

When Clara was first born, I asked all my old friends with children if they had any advice for a first-time Dad. My long-time drinking buddy Tom ("Huey") is also the parent of an only daughter, and he said something like, "Don't worry, she'll be telling you and Xisca what to do in no time."

How true. At her second birthday, she's already quite comfortable with the "badges and incidents" of power: in this case, a crown and sceptre....

at Papa Noel's house

2007-03-24T13:03:00.000-04:00

Santa's watching you....
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

One of the greatest gifts we receive from our children is a rekindled sense of wonder -- about EVERYthing -- that's especially evident around Christmastime. Many thanks to Dad and Debbie for opening their home to the whole extended family for a year-end celebration.

tree and moon at PPG Place

2007-03-24T12:58:00.000-04:00

o tanenbaum
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

Pittsburgh's version of Rockefeller Center is PPG Place, with a giant Christmas tree and skating rink during the winter holidays.

driving the ice cream truck

2007-03-24T12:54:00.000-04:00

ding ding ding!
Originally uploaded by kentropic.

I haven't been in the habit of saving quarters since I was a steady laundromat patron back in my bachelor days. But now we all have a new reason to collect two-bit pieces: those little 50-cent rides you see at the grocery store or the mall. Clara's current favorite is this little ice cream truck.