Dining Out

Since we used up most of our free crayons from our previous venture out into the big world of family-friendly restaurants (which also happened to be our very first venture out into the big world of family-friendly restaurants), it was high time for a Part II adventure.

Unfortunately there isn't much available in our neighborhood that's family friendly that also isn't fast-food, so we revisited the same restaurant due to it's only-game-in-town proximity.

The restaurant? Swiss Chalet.

• • • • • • •

A small caveat: I worked at a Swiss Chalet while going to college. My shifts were for the most part not long enough to get a proper break with a meal, but the couple times they were I found their food landed like lead in my stomach. I've never been a big fan – including the times I've been dragged there by a rabid Swiss Chalet lover as a proper customer.

That said, there are far too many die-hard Swiss Chalet fans to make my dining experience anything other than a personal anecdote. Food preferences aside, I can also say that having worked in a few chain restaurants during my teens and early twenties, no one had it more together regarding food safety than the Chalet. Their standards are impeccable and their food for the most part is simply made and relatively healthy.

There is no accounting for their signature sauce however. I have no idea why people go bananas for it. A customer once commented that it tasted like mothballs and although it was still a few months before I tried it for the first time myself I'd have to agree that his description was fairly spot-on.

It was one of the few items at Swiss Chalet that wasn't made from actual ingredients in the restaurant, but rather came in powdered form in a mysterious bag, which should tell you something.

Seriously, stay away from that stuff.

And thus ends my caveat (which turned out to be not-so-small after all), and on with the dining out experiences...

• • • • • • • 

The first time I took my boys out was early February when Gamma Rita was still in town. We were fully prepared to exit if the experience was met with tears – and although there was a moment of doubt when it came time to get everyone seated in unfamiliar high-chairs, it turned out to be a better-than-expected venture.

Although I think the crayons were a selling point:

And the space where the tables met that was somehow perfectly positioned to shove said crayons down also had its appeal:

Of course there were other distractions which, at the time, we all assumed had to do with other patrons enjoying their lunch and a curious toddler:

It's hard to believe that was only 8 weeks ago when it was still technically winter here (we didn't really have winter this year, but it was February at the time) and also pre-haircuts. It seems like ages ago and I can't believe how much my boys have grown in such a short span of time.

But I digress.

Last night M. and I revisited Swiss Chalet after a play in the park for supper.

The boys weren't as taken with the crayons this time since we have plenty of crayons at home.

Oh. Crayons.

Still, we kept everyone distracted with a trip to the potty while we waited for our meals to arrive. Of course, once said meals arrived, Seth found a distraction of his own:

And unlike our previous visit where I assumed he was being a looky-loo in general, this time the source of his distraction turned out to be rather obvious:

Some might say a little too obvious. 

Hey cutie! Get back here – I not done with you yet!

*sigh*

• • • • • • •

Nate also had a similar reaction to the crayons:

Oh. Crayons.

At least until he discovered the ketchup that was well within his reach:

He admired that bottle as much as it is possible to admire a bottle of ketchup until the food arrived. 

And then he tucked in proper:

I'm fairly certain that his meal was at least 50% ketchup, but since it's technically a vegetable by some standards, we all did our best to look the other way.

- L.

PS. It's been tough on a first-time and last-time Mommy acknowledging that my babies are no longer babies.

Still, when I catch a moment like this it's impossible not to wax nostalgic: 

I'm not entirely sure that there won't always be moments like these that take me back in an instant to when they were barely born. A casual sweep of the eye and I'm right there all over again.

*sniffle*

Pretend You Are Two

Because there isn't anything quite like the imaginative properties of a toddler.

Despite my role as a parent to teach my children about the world around them, I find myself getting schooled more often than not.

On the surface, this looks like my boys have managed to climb into an ordinary laundry basket:

Except it's actually a boat!

Of course, that was kind of an easy one.

Want to guess what we're doing here? 

We're making hats ("AAATS!") out of ordinary cloth wipes*, of course.

Is because we still doesn't have enough hats, everyone.

And having a blast doing it:

AAATS!

Of course, nothing trumped the after-dinner special where ordinary raisins became airplanes:

Truth be told, I am loving this new phase of make-believe as much as my sons are.

- L.

*The ordinary cloth wipes are less ordinary than they would appear, since they are well known around these parts as "tse-tse cloths" and are liberally referred to as such in the video I just posted on our YouTube™ channel featuring our cloth AAATS! and raisins that are up high in the sky.

PS. The Great Tse-Tse Capers posts are coming. The caper involving the cloths was but one of them and early on at that. Still, the cloths have been known henceforce (and likely forevermore) as "tse-tse cloths". I thought I'd mention that in case you are wondering what all the "tse-tse" business in the video is about.

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Christmas Day. Supper-time. The table is set and dinner is served.

24 hours later. Boxing Day. Supper-time. The table is set and dinner is served.

Did you spot the big difference? 

Hint: it's not the babies or the table linens.

We've kissed our high-chair trays goodbye and are sitting in our converted big boy chairs for the first time! 

– Well, 'dis is new.
– I wonder what we think of it. 

– Food still taste same.
– Yup. Food still yummy. 

– And we still look adorable.
– Yup. Can still make silly faces too. 

– Being able to reach the serving dishes not something Mommy bargain on I bet.
– No, Mommy not see that one coming. Still, nice feature for the 10 seconds it last.
– We don't even like turkey.
– No, we does not. Is never about the having though. Is always about the getting.

• • • • • • •

Mommy note: As much as I love watching my boys growing up, there will always be a small part of me that feels a little sad when it's time to leave the last phase behind – and a little bewildered at how it all keeps going by so fast. 

*sniffle*

A little trip down memory lane can be found here and also here. I have to admit, it's hard to *sniffle* properly when looking at this picture, even for a sentimental Mommy like myself.

- L.

Nicely Done, Grasshopper.

Legos*. They are popular at the OP, which is awesome because I never really got over my own childhood love affair with them and I will happily play with Legos anytime the boys are up for it.

Like today.

I was doing my usual thing with Legos this afternoon – building a perfectly sensible (albeit dull in retrospect) dwelling for Lego cat to hang out in. It was going pretty well I thought. I was already hard at work on the second story when I was politely interrupted.

And then schooled in a serious way.

Everything (and I mean everything) that is awesome about this structure is courtesy of Seth:  

Behold!

I don't know about you, but if I was moving in I'd definitely be eyeballing those spaces on the upper levels (in-home cash register, anyone?). Admittedly, my favorite part is the roof-top green space. Eco-buildings and sustainability are not merely architectural buzzwords, they are good design everyone!

The architect at work putting on the finishing touches: 

I already composing white paper 'bout my process, everyone!

And enjoying a well-earned snack break: 

Is important to refuel from time to time.
Snacks also very important sustainability item too!

• • • • • • •

*While I recognize the plural of Lego is still Lego, we frequently throw caution to the wind over trivial linguistic conventionalities at the OP. Plus it's more fun to say "Legos".

- L.

PS. Er... about those flashcards lurking not so inconspicuously in the background... 

I wrote a post awhile back where I laid claim to the following:

"I'm not the mom with the flash-cards".

And I'm really not, except that I am. We have flash-cards. The flash-cards were a gift, but I don't mean that as an excuse.

I mean they really were a gift. As in a good one.

And when I made my bold claim what I really meant was: I'm not the mom drilling my kids with flash-cards.

My boys have tons of fun with their flash-cards – often in the form of scattering them about because we also pride ourselves on "messy" around these parts – but mostly looking at the pictures and "reading" their abba-bets (which are officially "abbets" now, but that is another post). I always know when someone has found the "E" card, because it is always and without exception followed with elephant noises. 

PPS. I do wish my guys had been a little less reserved in their big "elephant noises" debut last week. I'm guessing they were camera shy. Trust me when I say they can make elephant noises with the best of them.

Kiss The Bunny!

I'm a weary Mommy tonight, so I'll just point you in the direction of our latest YouTube™ video. I captured it as part of our last hurrah to the nursery chair.

- L.

PS. The book Nate is reading is the Little Bunny Finger Puppet Book. The boys have had it for ages and I thought they'd lost all interest awhile back. When I used to read it to them, the Bunny would always give them "kisses" and they loved that to no end. I was a little surprised they not only remembered the "bunny kisses", but were suddenly keen on giving some back and/or barking out orders about giving some back).

Men With Brooms

– Hi everyone. It's us. In case you wondering what we is doing... 

–... we is launching our first joint business venture. Is very exciting time!

– Is very exciting, but also we is professionals.
– Oh yes. We is all about top-notch service everyone. We clean your floors and bring all our own equipment too.
– And we not know word like "overkill" when it comes to basic maintenance.
– No. 'Dis is word we not know yet so you is safe. 

– We pride ourselves on quality inspection. We make sure job done right.
– Also Mommy give us glowing review. 

– Big or small, we handle it all.
– Got a job for us? Give us a call! 

– I try to wear better fitting pants next time, everyone.
– Shhh. I wave broom around some more. Maybe no one notice.

- L.

Things We Know

At 17 months, we know:

Our colors:

Red, blue, green, orange, yellow and purple. And possibly white. Their favorite color to seek out seems to be blue, but their favorite color to say is "purple". They both love to say "pur-pah".

Our sounds:

All the requisite cow, horse, sheep, pig, goat, and pirate sounds. Yes, I said pirate. Everyone with a pirate ship should know how to say "yarrr!".

Enough said.

Also, courtesy of Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?, we also know how to say:

Pop, pop.
Klopp, klopp.
Hoo hoo hoo.
Dibble dibble*.
Bzzz, bzzz.
Boom, boom, BOOM!

Our numbers: 

Nate and Seth have "one" and "two" down pat when stacking things. Also, they are freakishly good at stacking things. Blocks, toys, peas**... you name it. They are stacking it.

And whatever gets stacked on top of "one" and "two", be it three things or twelve things, the highlight is declaring "nine, ten!" when you are done.

Our alphabet: 

Or "abba-bet!" as the case may be. Upper-case abba-bet is no match for Nate and Seth. They are keenly interested in all things abba-bet and can tell you what every single letter is no matter how abstractly it's presented.

• • • • • • •

In case any of this sounds like a shameless brag, it's not. I'm not the mom with the flash-cards.

I enjoy reading to them. And building things with them. Sometimes we count, but more often we don't. We make noises. Often with purpose. Sometimes loudly.

We have fun basically.

And I have no idea what's going on over here lately, but I do know I'm outnumbered because I can also count to one and two.

And quite frankly, I'm a little bit scared.

- L.

*Dibble, dibble appears to be unrelated to this, although it seemed like a likely suspect at first. "Dibba Day!" (whatever it means) is no dibble dibble, in case you were wondering.

**I bet you thought I was kidding, but I'm not. They have attempted to stack peas – with some actual success. Something I learned from my 17 month old boys: with a little bit of careful squishing along the way, it's not entirely impossible.

Conversations With Nate

The vocabulary around here is pretty much off the hook, but I'm only halfway convinced Nate and I had our first conversation today because I'm in heavy denial about how fast my babies are growing up I suppose. Still, here it is (just in case this was the real deal):

Nate: I know! I know! I KNOOOOOWWWW!

Mommy: Awhhh. What you know, Nate?

*pause*

Nate: I no know.

- L.

All I Wanted...

*sigh*

All I wanted was a reasonably clear picture of Nate and Seth sporting their new onesies so I could wax poetic for a moment about how fast they've grown and what big boys they are now and so forth. Sentimental Mommy stuff basically.

Of course, what I wanted to take a picture of and what I ended up with are two different things. Sadly, the real world tends to trump Fantasy-Mommy-World more often than not.

About the onesies: my 16 month old future basketball all-stars have been sporting size 24 months of late and with that in mind I only ordered them one apiece since I realize the days of onesie wearing are about over.

These will likely be the last ones I ever buy for them. Ever.

EVER.

*sniffle*

Since I didn't have much luck getting any clear pics of the boys wearing them, here they are sans babies for posterity:

And I think this picture sums up why I'm feeling so sentimental: 

Those white onesies are the very first clothing item they ever wore. Ever.

EVER. 

*lip tremble* *lump in throat* *eyes getting misty* 

My wee babies (who will always be my babies just to be clear) have turned into such little boys overnight.

*sob* 

•   •   •   •   •

While I take a much-needed moment to collect myself (and before Gamma Rita gives me a verbal beating for making her look at a pee-stick for the past week), please enjoy my attempts to take some pics of my guys sporting their new attire. For the record, this was my third attempt (as in three entirely separate occasions on three entirely different days) to take quality photos and these really were the very best of the lot. 

Really.

At least Seth finally sat still, even if you can't see the front of his new onesie. Nate however, was busy running laps pretty much the entire time.

Wheee!!!

The one moment where Nate paused long enough he's only slightly blurry: 

Hi Nate!

Seth on the other hand is displaying his enviable posture to the fullest. As far as anyone can tell, this is not an inherited trait from either side of the family (hence our envy). Let us hope he never learns of our slouchy ways. 

– 'Dis my best slouch everyone. Don't worry, I not go over to slouchy dark side full-time. Is only because I is tired of posing for pictures that keep getting photobombed. I is giving good face here and everything! *sigh* Is OK though. In the end, I not get mad. 

– I get even. 'Dis what being a tough guy all about!

- L.

PS. Of course the "Tuff Guy" onesie is Seth's! How could I resist? He is a pretty tough guy after all.

The Post In Which I Confess I'm A Bad Mommy

I confess it. I'm a bad Mommy.

*sigh*

Oh sure, the boys are doing well. Great even. Learning new skills every day (and lately at an alarming rate).

But still.

Still, there are certain milestones you don't completely forget to mention. Some are pretty big events after all.

Like taking those tentative first steps.

And yet.

And yet I just had to go digging for the post where I tacked on an "Oh, by the way Seth is walking now" note at the end.

Sadly, Nate didn't even get that much. 

This is not good. This is the stuff bad Mommies are made of. This is stinkeroo everyone. 

So let's just clear up a few very important details right now:

Seth took his first steps on April 8th, the day after the great Penaten caper. The jury is still out on whether Penaten might have played a role in this, but Penaten Power or not an event like this deserved its own post.

Nate took his first steps on Easter Sunday. For the record, that was nearly a month ago – and while I'm starting to suspect Nate is a bit of a showman and prefers to save his really big moves for special occasions (and in all fairness to busy Mommies everywhere, including me, things tend to be exponentially busier around special occasions) – still... I found time to make no less than three posts about Easter and Nate didn't even get a note tacked on at the end about said new moves.

This is beyond bad Mommy.

This is sitting rather squarely in SUPER bad Mommy territory at this point.

This is not a good place to be. Not a good place to be at all.

*sigh*

I can only hope the incredibly cute video I've just posted to our YouTube™ channel will immediately make everyone forget my transgressions. Like throwing sand in your eyes to distract you, but in a cute way.

A really cute way.

Complete with walking. And hijinks. And babies.

Oh my. 

- L.

And A "Dibba Day" To You, Baby B!

Nate and Seth have only mastered a handful of words, but they don't let that stop them when they feel like having a conversation. Nate's go-to for chats runs the gamut from la-la's to did-did's to nay-nay's. Seth, known mostly for being a man of few (but well-timed) words has been trying out a couple of new chat-phrases of his own lately. "Dibba dibba day!" is exceedingly popular, but the occasional, "Numma numma nay!" gets thrown into the mix here and there.

For reasons that aren't clear, one of the most recent words they are saying is "Baby". I know I've been pretty adamant about Nate and Seth still being my babies, but sadly it's not a word anyone really says anymore. They both adore their Dr. Suess' ABC's book though so my guess is it's come from the "B" page:

Big B, little b, what begins with B?  

Barber, baby, bubbles and a bumblebee! 

And maybe it's just extra enthusiasm because their new word is very exciting after all, but often Seth will tack on an extra "B!" at the end (a la "Bay-bee-bee!") which may or may not be toddler-speak for "bumblebee". Or maybe he just remembers his name from a long time ago.

All this to say, there's a new video on our YouTube™ channel featuring a lot of la-la's, dibba-day's and baby, baby B!

•   •   •   •   •

Our current list of words:

Book (sounds like "Booh!". This was Seth's first word said in context.)
Ball (sounds like "Bah!". This was Nate's first word said in context.)
Duck (sounds like "Dah!".)
Up (sounds like "Up!" but also sometimes "Ep!")
Apple (sounds like "Ah-poo!")
Baby (sounds like "Baby!" but also sometimes "Bay-beeeeeeeee!")
Teddy (sounds like "Teh-dah!")
Daddy (sounds like "Da-dah!")
Mommy (sounds like "Mum-mum!" but also sometimes "Maaaaam!")

- L.

Our Day In Pictures

No real theme, no cute conversations... just pictures. Lots of them.

Part I: These were taken at supper, not too long after Nate and Seth had a bath. I was trying to get a few good pics in particular of Nate's wild curls because they are always extra springy post-bath. And truth be told extra springy curls make me swoon a little. Don't be surprised if they have the same effect on you (especially if your name is Gamma Rita). Seth's "party in the back" is coming along nicely too.

Part II: Why yes, those are the same hoodies they sported for the first time back when they were 8 months old. Of course, they fit a little differently now and this may be the last time they wear them. I've been culling the closets and working on another box of clothes to donate* and there seem to be a lot of items like these ones that still fit, but are on the cusp of not fitting. Consider this a final hurrah. 

These pics were taken post-supper where my guys typically enjoy a Mum-Mum biscuit while I tidy up. Except I was busy taking pictures. 

And while they may outgrow their clothes, I have a feeling there are some things that will never change. Like sneaking food off your brother's tray: 

You not want this, right?

Part III: Nate and Seth don't normally hang out in Seth's crib this close to bedtime, but it was the only way I could corral them long enough to snap a few pics of them in the cute new jammies Auntie Karen bought them. You might remember Auntie Karen as someone who is already awesome since she knows her way around a pair of knitting needles as well as having some serious cake skills – turns out she is a stylish shopper too. And in case that wasn't enough already, she also knows her way around a high-five – which both my guys are quite fond of btw – and I have it on good authority she gives a pretty good cuddle too. Oh, and the boys enjoyed some homemade lemon-ricotta muffins courtesy of Auntie Karen at breakfast this morning. I feel like I could go on, but long story short... I think we'll keep her. : )

Without further ado, cute guys in cute jammies: 

I took the PJ pics in 5 minutes or less since it really was bedtime. It wasn't until I downloaded them after everyone was asleep that I noticed how much traveling Nate managed to do, while Seth remained pretty stationary and focused on his book. 

Which is surprising since he has clearly mastered the art of speed-reading. Or maybe he was just in a hurry since this was the first time his book was right-side up and I was about to dim the lights. 

•   •   •   •   •

Seriously, if there's one thing that makes both Nate and Seth happy it's a book. They love being read to, they love flipping through their board books, they can both say "book" (although it sounds more like "booh!"). As much as they both love their books though, I would have to say Seth definitely takes his "booh!" to a whole different level of seriousness, which you can probably notice in these photos alone. What can I say? He is serious about "booh!" everyone! Which is why there's a special corner in the nursery known as Seth's Library. Truth be told, it's not a new thing – it's been there for awhile.

And I know I've made this threat before, but I really need to make a point of telling more stories around here, even if they don't always come with pictures. And assuming I get around to that, apologies in advance to Gamma Rita and everyone else who lives for cute pics. Hopefully this post will tide you all over during future "lean" times.

- L.

*If you live in the GTA and have good quality infant/toddler/maternity clothing and gear (including car seats) to donate, we at the OP are big fans of the June Callwood Centre in downtown Toronto. You can check out the info on their Swap Shop here.