39 Comments
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Madeline's avatar

6) Cheerios picked up off the floor

M. Louisa Locke's avatar

Oh my, I am always a sucker for your stories about the kids (and you as a kid), but this was especially good on so many different levels. So hard to stay present as a story teller, as both observer and observed, but this story portrays that tension beautifully. Thanks.

Kara Norman's avatar

“that’s her 4yo big brother who loves her because she’s insane just like he is, and they seem to be the only two people alive who don’t yet spend their entire lives trying to convince the world otherwise.” 💕

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

This line was a last minute add!! I’m so happy it landed

john kean's avatar

Yes

E.L. Zeitgeist's avatar

The mustached archeologist leering at the dinosaur is such an exquisite metaphor here. We can all relate.

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

Hahahah right

TURBO GOTH's avatar

love a both are true classic! thanks for sharing your life

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

You heard it here folks it’s a classic!!

Jace Anderson's avatar

The little Soviet and little Satan making labels as the dino/archaeologist chronicles...so good!

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

Perfect description

Debbie Weil's avatar

Alex, this is so good! it sparks such deep memories of my children and grandchildren: the seemingly random, yet purposeful impulses of a young child doing “stuff”… and certain you will go along with them!

Jessy Easton's avatar

Oatmeal. every single day. Makes one less decision i have to make. thank fucking god. Also, this made me cry. every time you write about parenthood, i cry.

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

🧡🧡🧡😭😭😭

Katrina Donham's avatar

Loved this one, Alex! That imagery of the glob of labels--geez, it doesn't get any better than that! Life is weird and cool. I'm glad you wrote like a banshee to get this one on the page. Fave toddler breakfast: chocolate chip banana muffins, chocolate chip waffles, or OATMEAL!!!

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

Life is weird and cool.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

This is one of my very favorite BATs ever, which is a high bar. Really lovely stuff, man.

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

Aw man Rob thank you so much b

Anna Schott's avatar

YOURE

A

GREAT

WRITER

OUT

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

SO ARE YOU IN

Dave Conrey's avatar

I haven't had a toddler in many years, but his favorite was a waffle sandwich—a scrambled egg with cheese between two trader joes frozen waffles, grilled and served with syrup.

Jessy Easton's avatar

also this made me want to have another kid. why am i like this?!

Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

Hahahah nooooooo but also yessss?? But no!!

Donna McArthur's avatar

This essay is chock full of every aspect of living! Really, we could dissect it line by line for a complete look at the human psyche. Well done Alex, loved it.

Katherine Cleave's avatar

So good! I want one of those stickers: I LOVE EVERYBODY AND I SET EVERYTHING OUT. If you don’t capture these little nuggets of magic as they happen they can run through your fingers forever. Thank you for capturing it so beautifully 🙏

Julia Andrews's avatar

This was great 🩷