Salad Places

It's been really hot here. So hot that turning the oven on in my little house is unthinkable. So we say let's go out!
Going out to eat with a loud, food slinging baby, also unthinkable.

We've been avoiding restaurants lately - because the whole experience is just too stressful for me.
I used to be a waitress at a place called Pioneer Pies (all you Oklahoma people will know that!) very similar to Marie Calender's. I'd see families come in with toddlers and try to send mind messages with my eyes to the hostess.

"Not in my section! Not in my section!"

She always sat them in my section.

Oh Man!!!! It was like a tornado went through there - and I always thought the parents were so rude to allow their child to throw food all over the floor!! I now know, it cannot be helped.

The food thrower (insert Erik's name here), is a pro. He can't walk yet - but he has the quick aim of a practiced sports figure. Things fly from his hands to the floor. I've starting tethering his sippy cup to the highchair. That's working for now, but food can't be tied down.

So, we can't NOT go out just because we have a child - but there are certain places we just can't go (Sam's Chowder House - I miss you). Salad Places to the rescue!! You know what I'm talking about - Fresh Choice, Soupersalad, Sweet Tomato's. Different name, same concept.

As a grown up with out children I steered very clear of these establishments, because they were FULL of children. I always wondered why.....do children like SALAD?? VEGGIES?? Not that I've noticed at school, can't be much different at home. Nope.....but in these places they can fill their plates with an assortment of cheese, olives, croutons, and anything else that goes in a salad but isn't technically a vegetable. I saw one child go by me tonight with a plate piled high with shredded cheese, just cheese. I think she had a dinner of cheese - and the dessert bar.

In this place there is chaos, there are loud children (louder than mine!), and there is no waiting waiting waiting for your food - you just get up and get whatever you want.

This is a haven for parents of young children. As I looked around I noticed the place was packed with college students (it's also cheap), young families, and seniors. No young couples in love holding hands, no families with children who are older than 5 and don't fling food.

I am shocked at my willingness to go there. I never enjoyed it before. Because it was just too many little children, and I get that all day long. I used to want peaceful quiet dinners. Now I'd just like to eat while my food is still warm.
Here my child can drop his food, he can yell, he can be...........a toddler. No one gives us dirty looks, because their children are doing it to.

I now understand why some restaurants play their music so loud. It's to drown out the shrieks of toddlers with newly discovered voices, the tantrums of two years wanting chocolate milk, and the soft sound of mother's pulling out their hair. Bless you, family restaurants for not cursing the hundred crackers on the floor under my child's chair, I promise I remember those waitress days - and I top well now. Thank you for being here for those of us with screeching, food throwing children!

I seem to be letting go of many things - if you see me going anywhere near a Chuck E. Cheese ....... Ever......Please intervene!!!