Hats and Birds

Hi everyone!
Once I have posed for a photograph, I'm ready to tear off the snazzy duds and find some messy new activity. On another note, you may be interested in knowing that while I do my allergy treatment with Dada every morning, we see out the dining room window the following birds: rufous-sided towhee, house finch, gray catbird, brown thrasher. Love, LK

Mama's Labor of Love

Hi all,
Mama took this picture to show how much she loves me. She is not a gifted artist, but she drew all these pictures over the course of the day because my favorite activity is coloring. What I do when I color is scribble over basic drawings like these pictured here, creating art from kitsch. If you look closely, you will see my signature scribbles. I'm not so fond of scribbling on a blank canvas. It's already been done, if you know what I mean.--LK

Wilding in the Grandparents' Backyard

Hi everyone,
I just returned from my trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Tallahassee. I finally proved myself to be my mama's daughter by running around the backyard and covering myself with dirt. Mama was a jock (in a ballet dancing, but dirt enjoying way). My dog Star and I liked pushing each other down and wrestling for control of the ball. When I got cleaned up, we headed to an Indian restaurant, where I had my first sublime naan bread experience. The maitre d' knew more than my parents did about how much I craved the bread, and he said, "Ma'am" and offered me the last piece in the basket. You can see me enjoying it here.--Peace and love, LK

City Park Water Sprinklers

Hi friends,
There is nothing quite like a girl hovering at the edge of the glorious and violent falling water, watching the big kids run through it, raising her arms slowly above her head as she pictures herself running through the stinging drops. Well, unless you count the girl gleefully grinning as a parent swoops her through the outer edge of the liquid shower and returns her to safety. Today my parents saw me display courage just because I can, and I didn't even have to alarm them to do it!--LK

Trouble in the (Seven)teens

Hi everyone,
I'm sure you are aware that I am approaching my seventeenth (month) birthday on May 28. Here are things I did to celebrate. Yesterday, I shook my thang on the picnic table while my colluding parents sang, "Doncha wish your girlfriend was . . .?" At the end of it, I sang "Doncha" several times. The other thing I did was draw on the living room wall with red crayon. It happened in an instant! My Dada thinks I'm going to be a visual artist. Hugz!--LK

Dads with Daughters

Note to Maggie: You look awfully sophisticated in our first picture! I might have seemed to be hugging you when they took the next one, but I was actually giving you a bear hug to try to keep you away from my Dada. You have your own (see evidence above: Mr. (Dada) Doug with Dada and us girls) and I'm not ready to share yet. Hugs and Kisses!--LK

Mama's Hair

Hi everyone,
Mama and I have made a deal. I agreed to let her dye her hair to a shade close to mine, on the condition that she never, ever copy me in hair or fashion choices once I am old enough to know about it (i.e., next year). As you can see from the two pictures above, there is no fear that she will compete with me for alternative waif-chic. I am the independent label personified!--LK

Dada: Kills Punks Daid

Happy Sunday!
My Mama tells me that one morning before I was born, right after they found out that I was going to be a girl, she and Dada were driving around Newnan, west of the town square (they were probably looking at real estate, a favorite fixation of theirs). They saw a couple of streaky blond skate punk boys, about 14 years old, sauntering down the middle of the street, like they owned it. Dada had an epiphany: "I'm going to kill all the little punks like that," he revealed. Since then, Mama and Dada have been quite open about their dislike for teen boys who might appeal to a teen girl's "rebellious" (they say "stupid") side. Mama doesn't think it's possible to kill them all, but she is glad that Dada is an imposing 6'4". Mama says she's going to save this blog entry and hand it to my future dates. Ta Ta!

Cookout with Dogs

Hi all,
Tonight I stopped by a cookout in Newnan, the town I inhabit. There were fantastic dogs there, and a smoky bonfire just starting up. I sampled a hot dog bun and opened a present from my godparents before heading home to host one of Mama's colleagues and her nine-year-old son. In the first picture above, you will see evidence of one of my favorite pastimes: perusing the photo album that commemorates my first year. Love to all!

The New Toilet and its Demon Installer

Hi everyone!
You see here both my back-of-head coiffure-tails and the fantastic brand-spanking radiant toilet. We replaced our stinking-of-urine 1970s toilet, a holdover in the house thanks to my dog Star's broken leg bills last summer. Dada has a new song, to the tune of "If it Makes You Happy": "Does it make you happy!" sung in a growling demon voice. Mama calls it the husband song.

To the Grocery Store and the Playground

Hi everyone,
Here is a normal day in my life. We went to the grocery store and the playground, and then Dada made hamburgers for dinner. It was a little abnormal to be taking pictures of everything, but I think I liked the extra spice of it all. I insist on doing things my own way: for instance, at the playground, you will notice that I am not playing with the play equipment. Instead, I am a girl of open spaces and large dreams.

Mother's Day: Lola Gets Wild

Today we went over to Andy, Marti, and Rich's house for brunch. We drew on the driveway with chalk: I wish I'd thought to tell Mama to bring the camera. Afterwards we played a game in which all the others sat around and passed footballs around, singing a song. When the music stopped, the person left without a football was eliminated from the game. I wandered around inside the circle while they played. Andy had made a surprise chocolate cake for his mom and mine: I ate some. I have now brushed my teeth and I need to run around for a few minutes screaming "Elmo" before I go to sleep.

My Playdate with Emma

Here we are, playing with a rocking elephant, dolls, sunglasses, and other goodies. Emma and I have very similar personalities: both happy, both strong-willed.

It's Raining in Georgia

Hi everybody! We needed this rain because, as you know, there are wildfires burning all over the U.S. because of the drought conditions. Today Mama bought me a training potty and a plush Elmo. I have learned to love Elmo because the other kids at school worship him when he comes on the TV at snacktime. I am highly susceptible to peer pressure.
Today I said many words now common in my vocabulary: "banana," "milk," "walk," "please," "elephant," "wow," "up," "Star" (my dog), "Dylan," "Amber" (my friends), "baby," and others. I showed no interest in my new training potty. I did demand to be taken for a walk outside. I am smart enough not to make a break for it when we walk down the street, although I will dash off on my own at the playground. I am sleeping on my own, all through the night, which is a recent development. Toodle-oo!

Welcome to a Toddler's World

I, Lola Kate, have created this blog to allow my legions of fans to keep up with my adventures. However, I will not allow this blog to interfere with my playground time, and you should not allow it to interfere with yours. Here are my three priorities.
1. Bananas
2. Doggy tails
3. Elephants/pictures of babies/Elmo (these last three in rotation)

Stay tuned for more fascinating information about me!