Yorkdale Mall is great.  It’s close by my parents’ place (about 15 minutes drive on a good traffic day), it’s suitable for children (they have mall racers – the plastic cars in which toddlers can sit in – although it does cost $4 CAD to rent them!), it’s got plenty of shopping variety (clothes, shoes, childrens’) and the food court isn’t bad if you’re up to it (Greek, YUM and NY Fries for their poutines).
Regardless, here are some random photos I took of the kids and …

Wow, what a place.  It’s definitely a place for kids.  This is the first time (in my memory) of going to Chucke Cheese’s.   My parents say that I have been, but alas, I have no memory, nor proof, so I consider it my first time there!
The best time to go is during off-peak hours.  We ended up arriving at the Willowdale one at 11:45 AM only to find it pretty DEAD empty – which is a plus since we get our …

My parents bought them the ultimate DORA playhouse for $39.99 from Canadian Tire (which I now love to shop at but I’ll leave that for another post). 
It’s great for toddlers and infants (although it is still recommended for 3+) because it contains mostly air and is pretty stable.  There are 50 plastic balls contained in the package and the children love it.  You really have to keep them supervised while playing because Vanessa can get pretty crazy in it and will fall all over it and sometimes may …

This morning we had a fabulous time at the Rainforest Cafe in Yorkdale Mall for their annual Christmas breakfast buffet.  The event runs from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM.  The buffet itself is rather primitive (compared to those buffets I’m used to in Hong Kong), serving scrambled eggs, french toast, bacon, sausages, cereal, muffins and drinks.  The cost is $9.99 CAD per adult and free for children under 3.  However, it’s everything else put together that made it so special.
 
Rainforest cafe itself has amazing decor.  The entire place is decked …

 
I was a bit disappointed at the photos we took with Santa Claus this year at Yorkdale Mall.  Santa was in a horrible mood – he wasn’t jolly, he wasn’t grinning, he didn’t even seem happy.  I would hate to think that this Santa Claus was being Santa for the sake of a pay cheque and not the happiness of the children.  He didn’t even ask Vanessa what she wanted for Christmas – although I must say he looks rather jolly in the photos. 
To be …

Vanessa’s first time playing in the snow turned out to be a glorious event.  She frolicked and danced and kicked about her pink croc boots laughing the whole time.  It was so much fun that she didn’t want to leave, even though we were outside for a good 30 minutes in -20 degree celcius weather (with wind chill). 
Because of the weather warning, I was freezing through my own mittens.  I wrapped Vanessa up in 1 turtleneck, 2 sweaters, 1 winter jacket, 1 pair of underpants, 1 …

Don’t be jealous because my daughter has big teeth.  In fact, big teeth are a positive genetic right in my family.  I was born with rabbit (or horse as some people say) teeth – which probably means that for every average tooth in size, mine are doubled.  But that’s absolutely fabulous because dental technology is your friend and thus my severe overbite was corrected in a few painful years.
No big deal, big baby teeth means big adult teeth, which means she will have a furious bite.  Grrr!

So my mother bought Vanessa this fabulous fake jewelry set.  There are virtually over 50 pieces that contain hair clips, barrettes, hair ties, bracelets, necklaces and rings (a majority made of plastic).  Of course, when we opened it, Vanessa wanted all the pieces on herself, so my mom helped decked her out to be the “Ultimate Diva”.  She literally wore all the pieces, even though the rings didn’t fit and would fall off her fingers.
Why is it that girls are drawn to wearing jewelry?  If my …

My grandmother is some where in her 90′s, but she is agile, independent and looking fabulous!  She was thrilled at our visit and loved both her great grand children.  Victoria was also enamored with her great grandmother and would look at her face and pull her glasses.  It was altogether a wonderful get together and we had a great time!  I will probably make this a weekly thing and since my grandmother loves buffets so much, the buffet will probably be a weekly event as well.

Do you know how cold it is in Toronto right now?  It’s actually around 0 to -5 degrees celcius, but it sure feels much colder.  The wind nips at your face and fingers and there is a bite in the air that’s impossible to miss.  I am completely not accustomed to the cold anymore, but luckily the run from the house to the car is a few meters and my dad is kind enough to drop us off at the front door of every mall, plaza and restaurant we …