I’m fairly typical as an editor. I love stories loaded with cute-kid quotes. A close second are stories about animals. I know what you’re thinking. Anderson only likes hard news, politics, crime, etc. OK, it’s true. I mean, I’ve been a political junkie since elementary school, but nothing gets me more excited than some kids-say-the-darndest-things features.

I remember once being assigned a story about some commercial that was being shot at a Wild West town attraction in the suburbs. Ack, I thought. Who wants to write about someone’s damned commercial? Free advertising. Count me out.

On the other hand, whenever I’m assigned a story like that I turn it around and use it to motivate me to a higher level. So I went there bound and determined to get tons of cute-kid quotes.

It didn’t start out so well. One mommy was happy to help me out. She just adored little Johnny and told him to talk to the nice reporter man. I tried coaxing him with a little small talk. Nothing. He was the Laconic Kid. In other words, he wasn’t chatty — kind of like he was the Kid With No Name — but then he preferred to let his toy gun do the talking. After a few questions, his adoring mother looking on, he pointed the gun at me and softly said, “kpow.”

With visions of Damien Omen III and Chucky flashing through my mind, I told the mom, “Thanks. That’ll be just fine,” and moved right along.

With some trepidation, I approached the next kid. Now, keep in mind the key to getting cute-kid quotes is patience. And then more patience. They’re almost always shy and need to get to know you a little first. And, for God’s sake, don’t talk down to them like that pretentious kindergarten teacher you had that creeped you out. They’re not puppy dogs, OK? Talk to them like you would anyone else. I never had to do that with this kid, though. I scored big-time. He was one of those kids who just loved to talk. It’s been too many years and I don’t fully recall when he said, but one thing sticks out — he said his uncle told him he’d make a fine weatherman. That just cracked me up. I wonder how sarcastcally he said it.

Anyway, this weekend I went over to the “Dads Eat Free,” pancake breakfast hosted by Whole Foods in Tustin and Daddy Cakes founder Dan Byers. And, of course, where there are Dads the kids can’t be too far behind so I got a bunch of cute-kid pictures to share. Pictured above are heartbraker-in-the-making Benjamin Brodie (all of 20 months) and his proud grandma, Ilana Brodie, of Irvine. Not only is he a looker he’s smart, too. When asked who the president is he said, “Obama!” Then we asked him where Obama lives and he said, “Pancakes!” Here are some more cute pictures…

Hey, Mikey, I think he likes it!

No, really. I think he likes his pancakes!

Pancake mix? Check. Next up, Easy-bake oven!

My dear, that’s a salad fork. Please, if you want to learn proper pancake-eating manners you must pay attention!

When are they going to bring over those hotcakes over, already?!

Dan, wife Jill and sons Grant and Blake. Read more about how this budding entrepreneur has taken a family tradition nationwide.

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