On the way there. (Can’t tell they’re employed by the same company or anything.)

Off we go!

Precarious rider.

Possibly my favorite picture taken of K.Lo this year.

Such a good employee, humoring Management.

Not so much for this employee. He’s out of there!

Pictured here with a doll that belonged to The Manager, once upon a time.

Favorite recent conversation

The Manager: K.Lo, let’s not scream inside the house.

K.Lo: No. I need to scream.

Star Moment

N.Lo, training with the CEO today, learned to say “book.” (Or “buh,” whichever.)

Words that Warm This Manager’s Heart

K.Lo: Manager, I want to watch Harry Potter.

(And she sometimes says it as “Harry Pott-er,” like with a little accent—this being the CEO’s influence.)

On the Grounds

CEO: Okay, now tell Bender to “drop” the ball, and say, “Good girl.”

K.Lo: Drop, Bender. Good girl. I love you.

N.Lo:

• Laughs a lot. To himself, with others, in response to funny things but most often at nothing in particular. He squeals, chuckles, and half-screams. It’s enough to make even the poutiest person laugh, too.
• Still eats a lot, pounds the “bar” for better, faster, and more service. Keep it coming!
• Sleeps best (and longest) when wearing fall/winter pajamas, i.e. all bundled up. Which I thought might be a problem with all of our summer pajamas still out, until I discovered the fascinating inventions of blankets and socks. Genius.
• Calls for The Manager in varying tones of, “Ma.” We have the pitiful “Ma-ma,” the happy-to-see-you “Ma-ma!” and the talking-to-himself, absentminded “Ma-ma. Ma-ma.” Oh, and let’s not forget the angry “MA!”
• Also recognizes the CEO with “Da-da,” like a statement, along with a big smile.
• Learned from the CEO yesterday how to push around Matchbox cars and make a sort-of vroom sound to go along with it. Impressive!
• Sometimes cramps K.Lo’s style with his mere presence, to which she says, “N.Lo wants to go down for a nap.”
• Talks to self in crib upon waking, already standing when you walk in the door.
• Sleeps with a teddy bear, although I’ve not sure in what capacity. The bear is in the corner of the crib when he goes down to sleep, and is always near his blanket by the time he’s awake. Maybe the bear is his conversational partner?
• Unlike his coworker, has no fear of the vacuum cleaner or thunderstorms.
• Does not like to be left behind in a room. Gets very insulted.
• Mimics the popping sound a person can make when opening and closing his mouth.
• Has 4 teeth on the bottom, 2 or 3 on the top.
• Still has the slightly vexing eczema on his cheeks.
• Still wants nothing to do with sippy cups, no matter what the type. Has already been warned by Management: After one year with the company, no more bottles!
• Is generally a delight to have around our office, and Management is astounded with not only his progress these past 10 months but also the very fact that 10 months has passed. The DOH Anniversary is coming up all too quick. Better get cracking on that wish list!

On The Olympics

*“Go USA!”

*About the Trampoline event: “Boing, boing, boing.”

On Cinderella

*When the pumpkin gets smashed by the horses: “The pumpkin is peeled all over the place!”

*At the end, when the Prince and Cinderella run down the steps: “They’re getting married. They’re going to see Mary!”

Today, K.Lo awarded her coworker his very own piece of flair. N.Lo was perhaps not as enthusiastic as K.Lo intended.

And I, too, was super-thrilled to see even more flair appearing on the company walls.

Yet, the employee is expressing herself in a creative, original manner, which is the true meaning of flair.

This weekend, The Manager, who might be a little OCD herself (perhaps why it gets under my skin?) took inventory of all the office supplies. This thrilling activity may not appeal to other Managers, but I personally find the task thoroughly satisfying. Supply sets strewn across the office have been reunited for the first time since Christmas. More worn supplies have been set aside for donation. All supplies have been compiled and organized by category. I have no illusions that they will remain as such, but for the moment, it’s nice to see each item in an assigned container. And, it’s nice to know what we have. Our office is lucky to have such a wide variety of supplies, and I want to make sure they actually get used. We find that inventory projects yield better results toward this end, as supply sets hold infinitely more appeal when grouped together as they’re supposed to be.

Obsessive-Compulsively Yours,

The Manager.

Our company has recently begun participating in Sunday Happy Hour with a few other nearby companies. We walk over to whichever office is hosting, drink some beer provided by that company, discuss company events, and after that hour, we leave. It’s easy, casual, fun.

Yesterday at Happy Hour, K.Lo showcased yet another reason why I love to have her under my employ: You can always count on her for enthusiasm.

“It’s Happy HOUR!” (Said with the same intonation as “Happy BIRTHday!”

She jumps and waves her arms and shouts the phrase. Happy HOUR! How could a Manager not look forward to the upcoming work week?

And as a bonus, here are a few other recent favorites:

[In a deep voice, when eating a cookie] “I’m Cookie Monster!” [Followed by munching noises.]

“No, no, N.Lo. Go away. He’s being weird!”

I don’t know who she got either of those phrases from.

Because he's content to simply daydream for an hour out on the Grounds, like so:

Video: N.Lo Reviews His Work Station

Or is it Sunday Speed-Up? N.Lo can barely contain himself at his movable work station. Just imagine this employee's career potential, with a little more Mobility Training. The Lo. Co. will have to be on LOCKDOWN soon enough!

K.Lo Chooses a New Career Track