Portrait of Dominic

Please enjoy my living portrait of this handsome young man as he has grown from infancy to toddlerhood.

Mealtime For Dominic's Snake

So Dominic has gotten himself a snake. It's a ball python and it has to eat once a week. And it does not eat salad.

Dominic's 7th Birthday

Dominic's birthday was actually today, August 21st. But his celebration began with dinner-and-a-joust at Medieval Times, an overnight at indoor water park Great Wolf Lodge, and finally, not one, but two ice cream cakes at home!

Fortnight

My youngest grandson, Dominic, loves to play video games, especially one called Fortnight. But he doesn't sit still to play it. Here are some of his play positions.

Dominic's Purple Half Orange Belt

In a testament to his dedication and enthusiasm, our spirited 6-year-old Dominic recently achieved a significant milestone at Premier Martial Arts in Gilbert. Sporting his radiant purple half orange belt, Dominic stood tall during his belt ceremony, showcasing the remarkable progress he has made on his martial arts journey. The academy's unique approach, blending the teachings of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Krav Maga, and Kickboxing, has not only honed his physical abilities but also instilled in him essential values of character, strength, focus, perseverance, and respect for others. With an unwavering spirit, Dominic continues to embrace the teachings and discipline of martial arts, leaving an indelible mark on his path to becoming a well-rounded martial artist.

Dominic's Kindergarten Graduation

Today was Dominic's graduation from kindergarten! With his infectious smile and bright spirit, six-year-old Dominic has accomplished an important milestone, marking the beginning of the next phase of his educational journey.

Baseball

Here in Gilbert, Arizona, it is possible for a 6-year-old to get into Little League…specifically, the Gilbert National Little League. He's in a program called "Coach-Pitch" which is perfect for the little guys and gals who are just learning to hit the darn ball with a stick.

Dominic's Orange Belt

My grandson, Dominic, is attending karate classes and just won his Orange Belt.

Walking Dogs with Dominic

I often drive the two miles to my daughter's house; and if my grandson, Dominic, isn't already playing with neighbor kids, he'll offer to take me and the dogs for a walk to the park.

Dominic's Baseball Game

"They haven't called it off because of rain, yet," my daughter texted me. "But he's not going; he says he's much too tired." When she texted me that, though, I was already in the driveway. And between urging from his dad, mom, and myself, and the fact that the team was getting new shirts today, my grandson, Dominic, decided he would go, after all.

Rock Climbing with Kids

My eldest grandson, Zach, has been trying to get himself, his little brother Dominic, Uncle John, and Uncle John's kids Kyla and Willie, to the rock climbing gym he used to work out. That finally happened today, and I was there to preserve the memory!

Dominic Spins at Home

On the same day I got slow-motion video of my granddaughter, Gianna, practicing her gymnastic dismounts, her little brother, Dominic, also wanted me to take slow motion video of him spinning. I didn't realize it would come out so cool.

Dominic's 6th Birthday Party

I love and am amazed by all my grandkids, and the youngest is no exception. Today was his 6th birthday, and he has grown to be quite the savvy little boy while retaining the open heart and sweet innocence of the toddler he used to be.

Dominc's Baseball Award

My youngest grandson, Dominic, is so close to his only slightly older sister that it would be only normal to feel some intimidation; and this is especially true given the fuss everyone makes over her gymnastics skills. So it warms my heart that Dominic has found something of his own in which he can excel.

Water Balloons and Waterfalls

Dominic, my youngest grandson, has been traveling a lot later so I haven't been able to spend as much time with him as I'd like. But his mom does send me photos and he, himself knows how to text (he's five!) so he lets me know what he's up to. Anyway, since I've got a few adorable pictures saved up, I figured I'd dump 'em here.

Dominic's Yellow Belt

My grandson, Dominic, has been taking karate and, as with anything he tries, has been excelling. Today he formally received his yellow belt.

Dominic's Tree Climbing

Like all the males in my family (except, alas, for me), tree climbing seems to be in Dominic's blood. All he needed from me was a little boost to reach the branches, and Dom was on his way to the top!

Dominic's Gymnastics

When Gianna's mother, my daughter Jennifer, was about five years old, she greeted me one day when I came home from work by doing a backflip. Perfectly. When, I, in astonishment, asked where she'd learned to do such a thing, she said, "I saw it on television." When I went inside, sure enough, I saw gymnasts on the TV. It was the Olympics!

Officer Dominic

Last year Dominic wanted to be Spider-Man. Or maybe not; he was only two and perhaps he only wanted a spider as a pet. In any case, he now has a new goal, to be a police officer. So I came over to see him in his new uniform.

Dominic's 3rd Birthday Celebration

This year, Dominic happened to be in Key West when he turned 3 years old. So his big party was held off until after his family returned to Arizona last week. We had it today, and everyone had fun.

Dominic Shows Me The Pool

My youngest grandson, Dominic, loves to lead me around and show me things in his palatial home when I visit. Today he showed me his pool.

Dominic, Ella, and Lilly

Dominic always asks for the dogs when I visit. So today I brought them. Of course, the very first thing they did was jump into the pool. But then they dried in the play area where Dominic totally bonded with them.

Hanging With Dom

I dropped by to spend an afternoon with Dominic while his sister went somewhere with her Daddy. He gave me the tour of the house and yard!

Visiting Dom

Dominic is now at the age where he wants to show me things. He also likes me to take his picture, and then show it to him. Today he showed me Milton, one of the family cats, and then demonstrated his skill on the backyard swingset.

Dom's 2nd Birthday Party

It's hard to believe that my youngest grandchild, Dominic, turned 2 last week. But his Spider-Man-themed party was held today.

Dominic Digital Art

I took so many photos of Dominic and they were so cute I couldn't leave them alone. So, here's digital art inspired by them.

Dominic's First Haircut

My youngest grandson, Dominic, is a bit over a year old, and it was time for his first haircut today.

Dominic's First Birthday Party

They grow so fast! Dominic's parents (my daughter Jenny and son-in-law Jimmy) threw a party for the little guy's very first birthday (which is actually tomorrow). The families from Jenny's "mom group" all showed up, as well as Dom's local family, to help celebrate.

Dominic in Key West

My daughter, Jenny, has moved to Key West, taking my grandbabies with her. But that's okay, because I've been able to visit almost monthly to see them. The below digital paintings of Dominic were made from photos taken on my most recent trip in March/April.

Dominic's Baptism

Today my grandson, Dominic Rizzo, was baptized. The ceremony was performed by Deacon Dick.

Dominic's Astrological Chart

You tend to be very shy and not very self-assertive. You are supercritical about how you appear to others. Even though you may think you are uninteresting and dull, you are actually quite soft-spoken, orderly, neat and very likable. You are a perfectionist with high standards, and at times you can be quite tactless in pointing out the faults of others. Very practical, efficient and purposeful, your appearance and bearing reflect your need to appear graceful, sensible and reserved. You have a crisp, no-nonsense approach to dealing with others. Never lazy or self-indulgent, you tend to be dedicated to the work ethic.

Dominic Is Born