The Daddy Diaries

A Visit From Matt

2012-01-23T16:41:00.000-08:00

Random Picture Dump

2012-01-12T19:17:00.000-08:00

Girls seldom make passes

at boys who wear glasses.

Lonan, attacked by a gecko.

Lonan, attacking a parrot.

Gitty up!

Hi!

Lonan is a chick magnet.

Holiday Recap

2012-01-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

Had a raucous Christmas party with our daddy/papa friends.
Poor dad and pops.

Had a wonderful visit from Mimi, Uncle Greg and Lonan brother Jordan, who's now 13. An aewsome kid and a great big brother.

Ice skating! Made it twice around the rink in only 30 minutes.

The Bowiks cams over to make cookies for Santa..

who didn't get any because we ate them all.

Santa brought Hex Bugs!

The Holidays Are Exhausting

2011-12-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Super Random Picture Dump

2011-12-15T23:03:00.000-08:00

It's almost impossible to get a picture of Lonan these days (without a substantial bribe). He also gets very upset if I tell people how old he is, what kind of day he had or anything else about him... some odd privacy phase. What would he say about this blog?

His play has become very creative. Listening in, I'm amazed at some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth, in part because it's stuff that comes out of my mouth too. He'll tell his toys, "You're not listening!"

We visited SoCal this past weekend. Here he is watching a movie on my laptop with my aunt.

Bo!

Bonus shot of Evan, Sophie and Max demonstrating to Lonan how to gently pet a dog.

Best Buds

2011-12-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

Lonan & Leo

Practicing for Our Christmas Card

2011-11-27T21:15:00.000-08:00

This ain't it.

Karate Kid

2011-11-23T18:43:00.001-08:00

Or Tae Kwon Do or some such.

Mad Hatter

2011-11-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

Crazed fireman..

whirling dervish..

Michigan thug.

Who Gets Their Haircut on Wednesday Night?

2011-11-09T21:39:00.001-08:00

Children whose parents forgot school pictures are tomorrow.

Lonan's First Sleepover

2011-11-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

With Leo, natch.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Cone of Shame

2011-10-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

Hot spot.

Random Picture Dump

2011-10-19T21:40:00.001-07:00

He wants to be Captain America for Halloween, even though he has a dozen Spiderman costumes.
Kids night at Chenery Park. Dinner with a side of chaos.

Pumpkins!

I have no idea what this is all about.

Pool party.

Bo, still our favorite horse.

Grandma Bonnie

2011-10-12T23:19:00.001-07:00

A special shoutout. She was a huge help this summer.

Photo Booth Fun

2011-10-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

Return to the Wilderness

2011-10-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Camping with friends.
Dining al fresco..

Nature hikes.

"What are you kids fighting about now?"

What's Cooking?

2011-09-28T22:16:00.001-07:00

Leo's Birthday Party

2011-09-23T13:08:00.001-07:00

Swim Lessons

2011-09-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

Every Thursday night.

A Visit to Papa's Office

2011-09-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

What Else We Did on Vacation

2011-09-08T20:48:00.001-07:00

We took a ride down the Russian River with Christopher and Bob..

and ate.

We painted pictures of the vineyards..

and went out to lunch..

and ate ice cream..

and went to a BBQ and ate even more.

Larrabee came too. Lonan put dead grass on his head because it looked like hair.

Where Have we Been? (For Amy D.)

2011-09-05T15:55:00.001-07:00

On vacation in wine country. Not the entire time - just 1 week - the rest was just a summer blogging break. We discovered some wineries are very kid-friendly, and have alot to offer.

Picnics..

and creeks to wade in..

chickens..

and even swimming pools. Lots more vacation pics to come. Plus a special visit from Grandma Bonnie. All in an effort to survive the two week break between summer school and the new preschool term. Which starts tomorrow. Thank God.

It's A Good Thing He's Cute

2011-08-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Camper

2011-08-09T11:52:00.001-07:00

Lonan's first camping trip - Tilden Park with Our Family Coalition.

Sofia went too.

Lots of games for the kids..

including a watermelon eating contest.

Close to Little Farm..

which the kids loved - there's Evan and Sophie Claire.

Smores!

Nature hike.

Berkeley Kite Festival

2011-08-02T15:38:00.001-07:00

That scrape on his nose happened at school, not on my watch.

Here's his self-portrait. And yesterday he pulled the scab off - gross!

Playdate with Leo

2011-07-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

Lonan was so excited - talked about it for days in advance. Leo too, according to his parents.

Just like old times: they laughed, they cried, they played, they fought and had a great time smacking eachother upside the head.

And watermelon to boot!

A Package from Mamaw

2011-07-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

And we found the balloons.

A Visit From Matt

2011-07-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

Lonan's birth father was here for his birthday and stayed for a few days.

They had a great time together - Lonan loved all the attention and the rough housing.

Poor Matt isn't used to our cold, foggy summers and nearly froze at the party.

The Birthday Party

2011-07-02T13:48:00.001-07:00

Same party at the same park as last year. But last year it was 85 degrees. This time mid-50s with howling wind. Food was literally blowing off the table and we all wound up huddling next to the bounce house for shelter.

New this year: a pinata.

Candy to wash down all that cake.

Notice the hats and jackets. It was freezing! Luckily the kids didn't mind.

Also new this year: face painting.

Hi Bo

2011-06-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

A quick trip to SoCal this weekend to celebrate birthdays (Lonan, Ryan, Uncle Keith) and Father's Day. And of course to see our old friend and favorite cavallo, Bo.

4 Year Checkup

2011-06-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

35 lbs and almost 39" tall. Made it to the 50th percentile!

This was a big boy checkup, with vision and hearing tests. Everything perfect.

And big boys get an exam gown.

The Graduate

2011-06-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

Lonan Turns 4

2011-06-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Slumber Party

2011-06-06T13:08:00.001-07:00

Wanna Dance?

2011-05-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Dancing in the streets at the Alameda Spring Festival.
And what's that on their faces you ask?

Unicorns.

Pizza Party

2011-05-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

Pizza Party from dennis anderson on Vimeo.

Random Picture Dump

2011-05-08T23:10:00.001-07:00

Petting zoo at the Alameda Spring Festival.

A rainy day in Berkeley with Sofia.

Fingerpainting with Daddy. Art is his best subject in school.

Habitot in Berkeley. This was the day we went to see the Bubble Man show with Sofia but it was sold out so we wound up here instead.

Poor little guy got sent home from school this day with a fever. He passed out in the den with a furry nurse close by.

Gilroy Gardens with Carson. This got a season pass this year.

La Pasqua Con la Familia

2011-04-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

2 egg hunts, 2 dead bugs and lots of candy.

No Paparazzi

2011-04-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Cherry Blossom Festival

2011-04-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

Spring Break in Palm Springs

2011-03-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

Actually it's more like 24 hours in Palm Springs. We're spending most of our spring break with Uncle Keith, who's finally getting out of the hospital this week.

But Sofia was spending the week in PS which is only about 40 miles from the hospital and she was kind enough to invite us out for an overnighter.

It was nice to be out of the frigid north and to be able to run around nekkid outside.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

Did you know that St. Lonan was the brother (or possibly nephew) of St. Patrick? And not only did I forget to dress him in green today, I dressed him orange, which I forgot (and his teacher pointed out) is the color of Protestant partisans.

Dogwalking

2011-03-15T18:52:00.001-07:00

Very Random Picture Dump

2011-03-12T17:40:00.001-08:00

I'm with Uncle Keith again this weekend (he's recovering nicely) and pictures have fallen by the wayside for now. But here's what I was able to scrounge up on my phone.

This was one recent rainy Saturday at the Exploratorium in SF.

In general he still hates to have his picture taken - EXCEPT in front of a mannequin.

Serious. What's that about?

Still loves brussel sprouts. And broccoli.

Abuelita gave him this for Christmas. It takes up about half his bedroom.

Bath time is still our favorite time of day.

Drinks with the future Mrs. Anderson.

Heading Home

2011-03-05T22:47:00.001-08:00

Lonan is the passenger you don't want to sit next to. Yapped the entire flight. As we disembarked at SFO the man across the aisle said, nicely, "You're a chatty young man," to which Lonan replied "Yes I am!"

Out of Office

2011-03-04T21:44:00.000-08:00

Uncle Keith has been sick so we have been in SoCal much of the last two weeks. Fortunately he is on the mend so we got out one sunny afternoon to Kidspace in Pasadena, not far from where I grew up.

Typical fare - construction zone..

Tricycles..

and turtles.

Not so typical, cockroach petting zoo!

Madagascar Hissing Roach - Papa nearly passed out.

Much more to my liking, Beau, Abuelita's friendly neighborhood horse. Better than a cockroach any day.

A Superhero for Our Times

2011-02-17T23:11:00.001-08:00

Underwear Man.

Seriously. He came up with this himself.

No Random Pictures to be Had

2011-02-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

Apparently there is a lifetime limit to the number of pictures we can take of Lonan and after 3.5 years we have reached it. He DOES NOT like to have his picture taken any more. If he catches us he points at the culprit and screams NO PAPARAZZI! These were captured on the sly.

The same cheap parents who won't buy him a Spiderman mask also have not bought him a superhero cape so he is forced to wear a towel instead.

Here he lined up all of his friends to watch a movie.

Skiing

2011-02-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

The magic carpet..

A hula hoop..

Baby's first chair lift..

Look at that form!

Apres.

Tahoe Weekend

2011-02-06T07:50:00.000-08:00

Deprived

2011-02-03T20:54:00.000-08:00

Since his parents have failed to buy him the Spiderman mask he wants, he's forced to improvise with his underwear. Cute, until he runs into a wall and starts screaming.

Pizza Party

2011-01-31T14:31:00.000-08:00

Evan and Sophie and Baby Max had us over Friday night for a pizza party.

The kids made their own pies.

I think Lonan in particular has a real future at Domino's.

After dinner, a movie. Thanks guys - fun, as always.

The Good Daddy

2011-01-25T20:45:00.001-08:00

Sunday Morning Walk

2011-01-24T23:24:00.000-08:00

Ponies..

Rainbows..

Art..

Fruit & flowers.

Happiness

2011-01-22T09:58:00.001-08:00

We've Been Hacked

2011-01-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

Not sure when that ad link popped up. But as David said, we should be flattered that someone thought it was worthwhile to hack our little blog with its 20 readers. Anyway, we're still alive and well and enjoying a quiet January. This weekend has been especially nice weather so we've spent lots of time outdoors with our friends.

Lonan's First Ski Lesson

2011-01-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

2010-12-29T23:31:00.000-08:00

We shared Christmas this year with Hank, Saffa & Tim. The boys had a great time playing together, as did the parents. Here they are eating Santa's cookies.

Christmas day dawned bright and, luckily, not too early since the parents were up quite late wrapping presents.

Abuelita and Grandpa Tom joined in via Skype.

Mamaw was here too. She parachuted in to watch Lonan during his Christmas school break.

We had an open house the day after Christmas, of which there is no photographic evidence save this one shot.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Crab

2010-12-24T21:28:00.001-08:00

It's The Holiday Season

2010-12-20T15:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas Concert 2010

2010-12-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

Untitled from dennis anderson on Vimeo.

Thank God for DVDs

2010-12-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

Practicing for Our Xmas Card

2010-12-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

The models are much more cooperative this year.

Thanksgiving

2010-12-05T22:25:00.000-08:00

We flew by helicopter to LA with Lonan at the controls. Kidding! We actually drove and L. did remarkably well on the 6 hour drive.

The SD zoo was one of the highlights, although the petting zoo was a little underwhelming. Just the usual suspects: goats..

Sheep..

and polar bears. Lonan was disappointed we didn't see any snakes.

We also did early Christmas and came home with twice as much stuff as we brought.

Lonan and his Grandma Bonnie, my dad's wife.

Lonan's Mommy

2010-12-02T23:00:00.001-08:00

We spent Thanksgiving in LA and met up with Ashley on Sunday at the San Diego Zoo, not far from where she now lives.

It was nice to see her - she looked great.

Breaking Bread

2010-11-24T15:48:00.000-08:00

and fishsticks..

and pie..

and more bread..

and pizza..

and sushi.

A Walk in Muir Woods

2010-11-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

Random Picture Dump

2010-11-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Where is Papa supposed to sleep? Seriously.

Lonan really got into Halloween this year.

At one point he was lagging. When I picked up his candy bag I realized why - it had to weigh 10 pounds.

A package full of Halloween goodies - thanks Nana!

Passed out on the kitchen floor after a 30 minute tantrum.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Trick or Treat

2010-10-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

Practicing for Sunday.

Me: What do you say when they open the door?

Lonan: Trick or treating!

We're working on this.

Three days of celebrations.. today his school Halloween parade, tomorrow a Halloween party with our gay dads group and Sunday a small party at our house (8 3-year-olds) before we head out to terrorize our neighborhood.

It Takes A Village to Watch Lonan

2010-10-27T18:59:00.001-07:00

Including Abuelita and Grandpa Tom..

Aunt Kathy and Larrabee and Abuelita's friend Stephanie (couldn't get a pic) all to watch Lonan..

So Daddy and Poppa could go to Mexico for a few days. Thanks everyone!

Back to the Patch

2010-10-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

A New Friend

2010-10-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

Random Picture Dump

2010-10-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

Something in the Mail

2010-10-05T23:41:00.001-07:00

Thanks Aunt Debi!

The Pack

2010-10-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

48 Hours in LA

2010-09-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Spent most of the weekend..

in Grandpa Bob's pool since it was 106 degrees.

Chased Abuelita around trying to get her wet..

Clearly she hates being splashed.

Lonan and my dad.

97 in SF

2010-09-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

Preschool Update

2010-09-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

So far, so good. As expected, it was difficult at the beginning. Lots of tears at dropoff the first week. Then in the second week he got sick and was home for 2 days. I know they get lots of colds at preschool, but after only 6 days? C'mon. This third week has been much better. No more crying at dropoff, although there is the requisite whining "I don't WANT to go to school" while we get dressed. But once that's over he starts getting excited. Pickup is all smiles and he tells me all about his day. But when we get home - crank time begins. I think its a combination of being tired, and have had to hold his sh*t together all day. Once he's home he feels secure enough to lose it, and that's exactly what he does. I'm hearing from other parents it's common. Once he gets into the bath he mellows out. Then dinner and the earliest bedtime since he was a baby.. usually passed out by 830. And the other night at 815 he told me "I want to go to bed"!

All the Cool Kids Wear Glasses

2010-09-19T22:48:00.001-07:00

Say AHHHHHHHHH

2010-09-13T11:53:00.001-07:00

A good checkup.

Carol Ann helped make it easy.

First Day of School

2010-09-07T09:59:00.001-07:00

The End of 1,000 Days

2010-09-06T00:49:00.000-07:00

After 3 years, the next chapter. We'll continue to see Lucy, often I hope. Now preschool. We are ready in most ways but not at all in other ways.

Besos

2010-09-01T21:49:00.001-07:00

Pony Boy

2010-08-29T23:37:00.000-07:00

We're Like Sharks

2010-08-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Must keep moving, especially when the weekend rolls around. If we don't get out and about quickly chaos descends on our house.

Saturday Daddy was unexpectedly away for the day, so Lonan and I went on a MUNI adventure. We took the subway to the cable car, then a bus to Fishermans Wharf.

There we caught a trolley which we were going to take to the theater to see Toy Story 3. But apparently I wore him out.

Right after I took this picture he fell asleep in his seat. We got off at the Ferry Building, where the Farmers Market was winding down. I carried him, still sleeping, to Market Bar where we sat on the patio in the sun. He slept in my arms for about an hour, which hasn't happened since he was a baby shark.

Random Picture Dump

2010-08-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

That's him in the orange shirt. No fear.

At the Burlingame Arts Festival

2010-08-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

He rode this three times in a row.

Return to Gilroy Gardens

2010-08-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

Untitled from dennis anderson on Vimeo.

Where Have We Been?

2010-08-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Not much posting lately. With Lucy gone our schedules are seriously out of whack. Between Daddy, Papa and Mamaw we manage to keep Lonan busy, but just barely. And when all three of us are exhausted he's still raring to go - a formidable force of nature. Lucy is back this Wednesday - but only through Labor Day. Then we start a new chapter - preschool. I think we are all ready and the change will be good for Lonan. He's ready for new horizons and challenges. I worry, of course, as all parents do when it's time to cross this bridge. But Lonan is so confident and so engaging that I'm sure this next transition will go smoothly.

The Usual Suspects

2010-08-01T11:27:00.001-07:00

Mamaw is Here

2010-08-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Helping out while Lucy is on a much-needed vacation.

Chillin with Bobby

2010-07-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Watching Planes Land at SFO

2010-07-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

3 Year Checkup

2010-07-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

One month late..

30.5 pounds..

36.25 inches tall..

Roughly 40th percentile for height and weight..

Getting to be a big boy.

Weekend with Hank

2010-07-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

A playdate, all the way from Seattle.

Lucy's Diner

2010-07-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

The Edge of the Ocean

2010-07-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

Untitled from dennis anderson on Vimeo.