Lunching

Thanks to the sacrifices of our military past and present, my sister's kidlets were off school yesterday. Jared was working the holiday to maximize days off when babe shows up so aside from my weekly cleaning date with my mother (thank you!), I was glad my sister suggested going for lunch as an outing.

We head out to "Avocado," a spot which would accommodate the dietary needs of K. Despite his constant objections including "I not come out to lunch," we all walked hand in hand to the restaurant. Finding that many others had a similar plan for the holiday, a 20 minute wait was ahead of us. There is no way we were waiting with 2 hungry kiddies so we make a quick turn back to the vehicle to reorganize ourselves.

And then it happened. L spotted the golden arches across the parking lot and began the cheers for a happy meal. K didn't really react but did seem more on board with this plan than our original healthy plan. We caved. It was too easy, quick, cheap....our Dutch natures got the better of us and our chain of 4 moved towards the entrance of McDonalds. L easily settled on his standard cheeseburger happy meal, K got the chicken fillet burger without the bun, sauce, or veggies (so a cooked chicken breast), and my sister orders herself a happy meal - just so each kid would have a toy.

There wasn't a seat in the house since half the city had the same plan for lunch. After hovering over a few tables hoping they might become vacant, I suggested we head outside to the patio where a couple tables were available. Putting K in charge of straws, L in charge of holding the door, I thought I was being like a "real" parent and empowering my little lunch companions to help out. Except that was the moment I spilled one of the ketchup dixie cups on my rather large belly, and another one landed on the floor. "I'll help you Auntie," shouts L, attempting to smear it around on the floor. Thankfully my sister comes to the rescue with napkins. She mentions to a fellow sweeping the floor that some had spilled and he replied "I'm fine." I don't think the message got through. She also mentions it to the fellow taking her order. "Thanks" he replies, followed by "next!" I bet stains of my handiwork remain today.

We sit down outside, coat on for some, off for others. L leads the lunch prayer of "we fold our hands and softly say, thank you God for our lunch today." I think K was already eating. We get to munching and K proclaims several times that his "sandwich" is bigger than Auntie's. Fine with me.

I ask them both "did you imagine having a picnic lunch today of all days?" L gives with a toothy grin. K looks straight at me (another milestone) with his big eyes and says "its a beautiful day." It sure is, K, it sure is. I've never enjoyed McDonald's more than that lunch. Oh, and sis, I think I still owe you for the hamburger :-)