One of the worst equations I can think of is: Young kids + eating Out at a Real Restaurant + Large Dinner Party = Disaster!!! We went to Krieger's last night to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday. 6 adults and 7 kids. Everything was going well at first. We got the typical paper menu for the kids that has activities that last about 10 minutes. Mary just eats the crayons so it doesn't really work for her. It was exciting when we got our drinks because Ben like anything that comes with a straw. He likes to be like the big kids. This kept him busy for another 5 minutes.
Then the Grandparents ordered appetizers. Which sounds ok to most people, but to parents, they just make the meal longer. The whole goal of eating out with young children is to make the process go as fast as possible. What makes it go longer? A large party (14) and appetizers! Also, it often ruins the appetite for the actual meal. The appetizers came (which were quite delicious!!) and the kids enjoyed them. We decided to just get Ben and Mary fries as a main course because they had chicken strips as an appetizer and we knew they wouldn't need much more.
After this, Sam and Abby wanted to play video games so I started to leave with them when Ben decided he wanted to come to. In case you are picturing a calm and cool, collected Ben saying, "Mom, I would really like to come with you."....that did not happen. It was all out crying at the top of his lungs. The main goal at a restaurant is to appear that you have everything under control and to NOT make a scene and ruin the eating enjoyment of others. To quickly quiet him, I swooped him up and took him to the video games too. We walked around a little bit and played video games. Ted and I took turns with this. Meanwhile, Mary decides she is already sick of her highchair and wants DOWN! I took her down and she enjoyed going up and down the stairs (we were on an upper level). Where are Grandma and Grandpa? Sitting at the table wondering how they ever made it through this stage!
Finally, the food comes. The kids are put back into their seats with the promise of delectable french fries to eat. Sam and Abby ate really well. As we suspected, Ben and Mary were full from the appetizers and only had a little bit of the french fries. The kids wanted down again. I watched Mary while Ted took the others to play again. Mary smelled like she had a poop. I took Mary to change her diaper in the bathroom. I'm sure the bartender got sick of us asking for change, and the fellow restaurant guests probably had enough of our up and down. We had enough too! But wait there's more! We get to sing happy birthday, open gifts, and eat dessert!
Poor Grandpa. I'm sure he didn't feel like he got to spend any time with his family on his birthday. I tried to emphasize how nice "curbside" service is. You call in the order, the kids play happily in the confined, safe environment of a home. Someone picks up the order and brings it home. The kids can spend their ten minutes of eating and then go play more. Everyone is happy.
I'm hoping we break this tradition of eating out on Grandpa's birthday, at least for a couple of years until the kids are older and able to sit for longer periods of time. The whole event took 2 hours. That's WAY too long for toddlers to sit in a chair, but, we made it through alive.
Ahhh the joys of parenting.
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