Dining Out Becomes the Hot Seat

A few weeks back we our temps hit the hundreds, which is pretty danged hot for our area. We do not have a/c in the new place, so James and I supported a local restaurant by doing some early patio dining.

We wore masks until it was time to drink and eat. For most of the meal, we were alone. Then the few other available tables filled. Inevitably, someone brought their dog to dine out with them. Two, this particular evening.

WHY?

So James noticed right away and started getting nervous.

I get both his reactions and the presence of the dog. I grew up with dogs. I've been bitten by a strange German Shepherd dog that came out of nowhere and almost caused me to get rabies shots until the person "watching" the dog came forward. I learned to recover my confidence around dogs. James and countless others like him have not.

Dogs are the new kids. I am pretty sure, however, that there was a "no dogs on the patio" sign at the restaurant.

We were suddenly in the hot seat. I made the call to box up our stuff to go. I get tired of this.

PS: The food was delicious.

Eating Out

It is getting harder and harder to get James to sit down at a table for a meal. Doesn't matter if it is at home, dining out, plain chair, or padded seat ... He will not sit properly for more than half a minute.

 Enter dinner at a place called The Healdsburger. It used to be an A&W Drive-in, back in my day. So nice they've kept the best of the past while updating for current residents and visiting foodies.

After a rough couple of weeks, I took the kids there for dinner. This is how James waited for our food (one table away).

And this is how he ate it:

We will keep practicing sitting at meals, but it is nice to find a place that allows kids to roam around when dining out.

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Mr. Big

"Mr. Anderson ... you disappoint me."

At Denny's waiting too long for goldfish crackers to arrive.
(and yes, I know I am mixing my movies and quotes)

For more day-in-the-life images and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Spelling Silliness

At Denny's, looking at the menu.

Me (reading menu, attempting to distract a bouncing James): "Look, honey! What does this spell?"
Pointing to a header that reads "SIDES"

James: "S .... STARBUCKS!!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!"

Classic James camera phone shot at Denny's.

Thinking up more mischief.

Special Exp./ Wordless Weds: Table Manners

See that napkin action? Nice!!

I had to get a picture of this: James, sitting calmly after dinner at a local restaurant. He had one bathroom break. He didn't slide off the seat to pool on the floor under the table. He didn't try to get out or poke at things on the table. James nibbled a new food. He coloured his kids' menu. He ate his ice cream with a spoon. And then used his napkin correctly.

I think of all the times we tried eating out as a family at the same location. We have not had such a quiet meal together dining out since he was little enough to be strapped into a high chair.


For more great images or to join in the fun, Visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.



and ... Wordless Wednesday
  

The Dining Out Challenge

Oh for the days when James just sat in a chair in a restaurant (few though they were).

One hot & feisty weekend afternoon I decided I was not going to cook dinner. So we brought my daughter's Summer Reading pizza coupon to the local Round Table and I packed a PB&J for James, who has decided he does not like pizza anymore.

My daughter had a ball eating her pizza prize. I am a big pizza fan. We could have spent a good 2 hours there, nibbling crunchy, cheesy goodness, enjoying the a/c, a different room, and our cold drinks. Oh, and making up silly songs. It's a family thang.

James went through his "sanwish" and was *done* with sitting on the seat. In desperation, I gave him my cell phone. He figured out how to set up speed dial (which I have yet to do) and added a new contact to my phone: @.-.!

Their phone number is 1-555-124-1155-555522####6*85##*#327#

When he started downloading ringtones, I had to wrassle him to get the phone back.

How do others cope with restless child syndrome? And sorry, mom & dad. I can guess now what my brother and I put you through l those many years ago!