Take a seat

Weekends are a good time to alter Elise's long-established routines. It was on weekends when we made her cry herself to sleep, scrapped the Nuk, went to one-a-day naps, started potty training and moved her from crib to twin bed.

Some of the changes aren't all that significant, but thankfully she usually seems willing to embrace whatever change we thrust upon her.

The latest change: This weekend she lost her spot at the dinner table.

Well, OK, she didn't lose a spot; she still gets to eat. We just got rid of the high chair. She's now sitting in a "big chair," as she calls it. She likes it and it doesn't seem to affect her robust eating habits, as if anything but illness could. 

We quickly discovered, though, that little hands coated in spaghetti sauce or applesauce are drawn to the chair cushion upholstery, so we will need to add some sort of dainty towel -- or industrial tarp? -- to the chair.

There is another benefit to this seating change. I finally get to reclaim my spot at the end of the table. I was bumped from my armchair and end spot when we brought on the high chair. Now, after months at the side of the table, all is right again. (Clearly, Elise got her willingness to embrace change from Anni, not me.)

Her snack of applesauce -- before it ends up on the chair cushion.

What settles for entertainment at our table: One of Elise's stuffed animals given water from a glass.