Building up an appetite...

...(at least for ice cream).

We went to Bouncing Bears yesterday with our MOMS group.  This was Abigail's first time.  She enjoyed the bouncing and LOVED the slides, but I think it would have been more fun when she is even more mobile--ie walking.  Biz probably does not remember her last visit either.  She really enjoyed it this time, running around keeping up with David.  The camera phone could not keep up.  Sorry... And David?  His wet hairdo and two thumbs up said it all!

Lunch was just down the street at our favorite, ChickfilA.  Once again, I was so amazed with the service there!  The ladies brought us our food to the table and cleared up after us cheerfully (and even telling me they were happy to have the job and they loved waiting on me because I do enough as a mom at home--time for me to be served. :) ).  Then, a new kind of fun...  When I asked to trade in the toys for two ice cream cones, the fellow kindly asked if the kids wanted to help him make the ice cream?  I responded "yes" on their behalf.  He gave them both chickfila hats and led them behind the counter to the ice cream machine.  He announced to the employees that he had two new recruits on the team.  Everyone cheered, and then he let them hold the cones while he ran the machine.  The kids loved it!  What fun and so sweet to offer that!  Just love ChickfilA!!!

PS Oh, and Bizbeth did not eat much lunch despite the workout bouncing (but she had plenty of an appetite for ice cream.)

13 years is the charm

I don't care what people say about the number 13.  Michael and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary about 2 weeks ago and have enjoyed this year as much as any other and definitely have a far deeper love and appreciation for each than even last year. 

We dined sumptuously at Perry's.  I felt quite the "socialite" as I ordered a special that is not on the menu and only available by request~ (too bad for me this is the second time they have taken my favorite dish off the menu--only a matter of time before this dish too is "old news.") 

We have been watching Ramsay's Best Restaurant.  It has made us all the more aware of the necessity for the "whole package."  Perry's is that.  Scrumptious food.  Fantastic service.  Relaxing/  peaceful atmosphere. 

By contrast, we have dined at two other spots recently that failed miserably.  The first (Alicia's Mexican) was a new place for us that just completely missed the mark on the food.  When even I (the non-condiment lover) thought the food was bland, you know there is an issue...and it is hard to ruin chips and salsa!  The room was extremely loud too.  Service was cheerful and portions were large, but these good qualities could not make up for the other failing areas. 
The second spot is an old favorite, Macaroni Grill.  We arrived around 6 pm.  It was just starting to get busy but still not too bad.  We waited a few minutes for a table but got placed at a table for four in the corner by the bar.  It was cramped for 5 but we managed, rather than wait for a larger table.  The waiter took what seemed a million years to even acknowledge us (despite walking past our table several times).  He told us he was given tables on two different sides of the restaurant so he was rushing around, but we still only saw him maybe three times the entire meal (including ordering and bringing the check.)  He eventually requested that someone else get us some water and bread but we did not even get that until about 20 minutes after sitting down.  He did not deliver the food himself, nor refill glasses.  He did not provide the doggy bag lids or a second loaf of bread.  (all the while the table 1 foot away had his attention quite a few times) The food was tasty.  The price right (had a coupon).  The atmosphere was decent but the service was horribly lacking. 

What a difference the whole package makes!  Often we take it for granted until we experience otherwise.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me a husband who is the "whole package!"  What a joy he is to grow old with!

Trial no. 3

Still failure. But plan to try again one more time before Bizbeth completely outgrows her Thing 2 shirt (which is already far too short/tight).  

the more cows, the mooier...

We made our annual trek to ChickfilA again this year for Cow Appreciation Day.  It included a third little cow this year.  She did not want to keep her spots on though.

David finished his lunch completely.  Bizbeth ate her chicken in exchange -bite for bite- for the fruit.  Abigail ate about half of her chicken and most of the fruit.  It was also her first experience drinking out of a juice box straw.

David agreed to pose with the cow.  Bizbeth was willing to give a high-five but wanted none of it when it came to picture time.  Abigail just stared, trying to decide whether he was a threat or not.  

 

 

After lunch, the three little calves played on the playground (which was packed--just can't see it in these pictures). Abigail even got in on the action and was not content just staying on the baby level.  She scaled the play structure stairs and before I knew it, she was up in the tunnel area with David.  He sweetly led her around and then down the slide.  She seemed non-plussed. 

At lunchtime, there was a balloon artist too.  He made David a sword and Elizabeth a dog.  He was also making magnificent headpieces for the employees. (see below)  The restaurant was about 1/2 full of little and big cows (by the way for the record--I was dressed up too).  The rest of the folks must not have gotten the memo. 

Well...eventually Michael got home and he joined us in our black and white attire.  David also donned cowprint chaps.

This time around, Bizbeth ate only a bit of her chicken and most of her fruit.  David again finished his dinner and Abigail just played with hers.  We were planning to run another errand in another part of town so this was a different ChickfilA that we don't usually frequent.  It was super stylish inside but oddly lacking in cows.  In fact, we were one of maybe 3 groups that came in attired as cows the entire hour we were there.  We did got some snide comments and lots of stares.  What memories they were all missing out on...

After dinner, we stopped long enough for the kids to play a bit in the much bigger and taller play structure in this restaurant.  Bizbeth caused a few issues though since she got up and refused to come down.  I had to go in after her.

This time next year keep an eye out for some older looking cows in black & white contact paper spots...instead of the same pin-on spots saved from year to year.