A Language Lesson: Anson-ese

Anson is in a really fun stage of toddler-hood.  He is learning how to talk.  He has a lot of great words down and can express himself most of the time.  He even offers commentary about what is going on or what he sees around him.  For example, there is not a single public bus that can pass our view when we're driving around town without Anson shouting, "City Bus!" as clear as day.

BUT, there are other words that are not so clear.  In preparation for leaving our kids with Grammy & Papa for two weeks while we go to JAPAN, (Yes!!!!  I'm SO excited to finally be in Japan again!!!!) I started a vocab list for Anson's "words" that may be a little hard for a new-comer to understand.  This list has actually come in handy for babysitters lately, too.  :)  Here's the list - just in case I forget to pack it in our luggage...

(In no particular order)

Sounds Like = The Real Word or Phrase

ear go = here you go (when handing something over)

go mon = garbage man or garbage truck

beeeg = big

nilk = milk

ice / wice = rice

I see, I see = I want to see

Bup / Dop = Stop!
Dop it = Stop it

dadday = that way

ott = out

bow = bowl

deet / seet = sit

boon = spoon

buck / pork / poke = fork

ouse / ows = ouch

dahpuhz = pastas

otter / ahter = water

yeow = cat ("meow")

moan = more

hone = phone

kowce = couch

nunnuh = another

nana = banana or string cheese (usually string cheese)

nana = sometimes is for Jiichan

Care = Claire

dit-ter = sister (Claire)

mammy = Grammy

bassss = bath

soxs an soos = socks and shoes

owsigh = outside
koko = uncle
ko cheese = macaroni & cheese
saks = snacks
kadow = avocado
foodt = food (he's hungry)
soos me = excuse me (to have you move over; also after he burps or farts - very polite!)
beep beep = move over please

sonks = songs (If you are in the car, that means he wants Claire's preschool CD so he can shout along)
guy = sky
socky ball = basket ball
dare is = there it is
Dog go go = the book Go, Dog. Go 
beauful = beautiful
sank you much = thank you very much
Q-me = excuse me 

In other great toddler-hood milestones, he has most of his colors down.  (He still mixes up pink with purple.)  He loves to point to things and say their color.  :)

Favorite books:  Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, and Go, Dog. Go by P.D. Eastman

Favorite movies:  Kiki's Delivery Service and Totoro, both films by Miyazaki

Favorite songs:  "Popcorn Popping", "5 Little Monkeys Swinging from a Tree", "Wheels on the Bus"

Favorite snacks:  frozen peas (still frozen), raisin bran cold cereal, hot dogs

Ultimate trick to winning him over: ice-cream

Snuggling is good for the soul.

Teriyaki Grilled Tofu

Here's one of my go-to meals when I'm short on time or creativity for ingredients.  I serve it with rice and any salad and/or vegetable I have on hand (even if it's frozen petite peas).

One block of tofu feeds 2.5 people instead of the suggested 4.  Maybe this is because I use it as a main course instead of a side dish.  My kids eat just as much as we adults do, so now I have to double the recipe if I want one serving leftover for lunch the next day.  Here's the recipe.

So here is the beauty of it.  I don't always have teriyaki sauce on hand.  I often use a teriyaki baste-and-glaze.  Other times I've mixed my own teriyaki sauce concoction (soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic).  The last time all I had was hoisin sauce in the fridge.  But no matter what subsitute I use it ends up being great.  I mean, how can you go wrong with a soy sauce base and honey?!

I also don't have a BBQ or grill pan.  Instead, I cook the tofu "steaks" on medium-high heat for 3 minutes per side.  Then I heat the leftover sauce in the same pan to thicken it.  Pour that sauce over the tofu, rice and veggies.  Sometimes I quickly remove most of the sauce and then sauté the vegetables (broccoli, zucchini or green bean do well) in the pan that still has some sauce sticking inside.

Also, toss those green onions and red pepper flakes into the marinade itself first.