Spagio: A "Review"

I have a different perspective on evaluating restaurants now.

We went to Spagio on Grandview Ave this past Sunday for brunch before the opera. First, we didn't have to wait long to be seated. 1 star.

Booster seat or high chairs available? Only high chairs. 1/2 star.

Activities available while waiting the painstaking minutes it takes for the server to get the food? Plenty, they had blank white paper covering the entire table!! Frankie drew her masterpiece shown above. I'm the mid-sized bald guy on the far right with the huge eyes. 1 star.

More than mac 'n cheese and fries on the kids menu? Definitely! Frankie got a generous portion of french toast with lots of fruit on top. She was clam-happy. 1 star.

Check delivered immediately after the child's last bite went into her mouth? Yes and the receipts returned almost before Frankie ran out of the restaurant. Little slow, 1/2 star.

Food? I forgot what I ate, I think it was good but was too busy making sure Frankie was busy and well-behaved. 1 star I guess.

Tally ... 5 stars out of a possible 6. Not bad. Thumbs up on "kid-friendly cuisine".

Sprouting Mung Beans, Sprouting Kids

Today is Frankie's birthday and on her birthday, I usually spend the day with her at her school (last year she was sick at home). I planned a polymer experiment used to sprout mung beans for the gang and they had a blast with it. I couldn't engage them longer than a Sponge Bob episode, but I got them interested for at least a few minutes.

She's napping as I type this. I thought I'd escape so she wouldn't be distracted getting down for nap. She's a tad distractable and a little active you know.

Well, I get until 3 to recover and then back to the Bunny room for afternoon celbratory brownie treats!

The image posted is of some of the bunnies' experiments hanging on the window. They'll be making daily observations on the sprouting.

Calm before the storm

Most of the bubble stuff's out (got some nifty stuff in hiding), food, favors, etc. ready.

If there is a god, please, just this once, make it not rain tomorrow, and please don't let a kid stuff the toilet with all of our toilet paper ... or just send heaps of valium.

Ha, ha, ha. - update - 3/28/07
I'm at my girl's daycare today and I heard the reccommendation for little kid parties is one friend for every year of her life. According to this formula we should've had 4 friends to Frankie's rather than the 20 or so that showed up. And, no melt-downs! Guess we got lucky.

Here goes ...

rsvp's are trickling in and in approximately 48 hours, somewhere between 5 11 and 18 bunnies and accompanying parents will descend upon the ranch.

We have stuff ready for them, but much needs to be done. I don't think we'll ever be ready, but we'll be preparing a station for bubble art, scads of bubble blowing paraphanelia will be on the deck outside, a treasure hunt is being planned, party favors are being prepared, hot dogs/carrots/juice & pretzels are on the menu (and Spinelli's bagels , coffee and Bloody Marys for the adults brave enough to stick around).

Wish us luck (or send valium). Have a good weekend all. Photos on Frankie's site when the "event" is finished.

And, tunes by Loopy Moose.