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....
Saturday, March 24, 2007
"That looks like fun!"
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
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....
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!"
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
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!"
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
Climate change? What climate change?
We finally got our first snowfall of the season in February....
We finally got our first snowfall of the season in February....
Curious scientist or G. Gordon Liddy?
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
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....
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
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
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
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.
Friday, March 23, 2007
in the hometown Black & Gold
Meanwhile, back in Pittsburgh, autumn means our semi-official civic religion enters its annual high holy season once again: it's Steeler football time. It's almost impossible to raise a child here without a kind donor adding Steelers garb to the family wardrobe, and we're no exception. A disappointing record for the hometown squad this year, unfortunately: judging from the look on Clara's face here, the local boys are losing/have lost again.
with cousin Maria-Antonia
One of the very best things about our visits to Mallorca is the opportunity to spend time with Xisca's many friends and all her family. Here are the two youngest members (at the moment): Clara and her cousin Maria-Antonia, on the patio at Xisca's parents' house on Calle de la Cruz in Manacor.
in the Parque de se Faxina in Palma
Clara looks like she's ready for a speedy getaway here, but she's not likely to get far with a psychedelic day-glo Bugs Bunny stuffed into the back seat.
fountains at al Mudaina
Here's a belated posting from our last trip to visit Xisca's family in Mallorca last summer. The Moors are justly famous for their exquisite fountains, and the grounds around the ancient fortress of al Mudaina in Palma are a good example. This photo was taken by our good friend Gerardo, while Xisca and Toni were shopping along the Passeig de Born.
nuestro anniversario
Here's Ken and Xisca getting ready for a night on the town to celebrate our anniversary, courtesy of Grandma's Babysitting Service. We had a fantastic, romantic dinner at Ma Provence, a new-ish French bistro in Squirrel Hill. But in truth, would have had as much fun with street vendor hotdogs on a park bench -- as long as we had some time to spend alone together.
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