A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Oct 21 2008

Fine dining

Category: Family Fun

I've been reading about the state of American dining lately. It's made me think about how Paul and I teach our children how to appreciate good food.

Last night, we wanted to hear some gypsy jazz at a local coffee house. Thinking that Nana and the kids would also enjoy it, we decided to go out to eat as well. The coffee shop was in the old part of town, a place where mom and pop stores and privately owned eateries still exist. It's also home to one of the better casual dining spots in town. It's an Irish pub that also serves Greek, American, and Mexican dishes and good local beer. (Only in America.) It's also home to the best prime rib in town.

As we waited for a table to open -- and were visited by the manager to make sure the kids were entertained with crayons and potato chips -- I thought back to reading that most Americans don't appreciate good food as they're used to pizza delivery, fast food courts, and chain restaurants. They're impatient and aren't adventurous. Yet here we were showing our kids that the best food was at a small, one-of-a-kind restaurant with excellent service. I was glad we were able to share that with them.

Later we walked down the street to the coffee shop and listened to the band as Paul and I sipped our coffee drinks. Lucie danced around, showing off her new ballet moves. Nathan carefully studied the guitar work while Nana kept time by tapping her fingers. I marveled to myself what a special evening it had been, yet so simple. A nice meal, good music, spending time with grandma, and showing the kids what's important in life -- it's something we should all do more often.

 

Oct 14 2008

The lion sleeps tonight

Category: Family Fun

It was 9:30 p.m. and the kids were bouncing off the walls, the result of too much Mountain Dew and chocolate birthday cake. (Yes, I know, but it was a birthday party. Life is better when you indulge once in a while.)

Usually a night owl, Paul was tired from a rafting trip and the long ride back on his Harley from southern Colorado. So instead of reading to the kids, he got them in our bed and had Nathan read a book to him. Lucie entertained herself by looking through several of the library books we had checked out. I was working on the computer a few feet away, amazed that Paul can get Nathan to read out loud when I can't.

Eventually the room got very quiet, and turned around to find everyone asleep on our bed. Seeing that Paul had passed out from exhaustion, the children curled up next to him and went to sleep too, surrounded by a half dozen books. I carried the children off to their beds, put away the books, and shut down the house for the night.

The next morning Paul said we are like a lion pride on a television nature program. The big daddy lion is asleep, with the little cubs around him, while mama lioness is off hunting.

Who knew that lionesses had writing deadlines, too?

 

Sep 30 2008

Hanging with the big girls

Category: Family Fun

I took Lucie with me to a fellow charter school parent's home the other night. After checking out the guinea pig, cat, and two dogs, she immediately headed upstairs. Before I could stop her, our hostess yelled up to her daughter (a fourth grader) to watch for the little girl coming up.

While the adults met, the girls played. It was so nice to have a serious discussion with the other parents without her climbing all over me, or doing something extremely embarrassing like sticking her hand down my shirt and yelling, "Boobies!" She finally came downstairs 30 minutes later to get something to eat.

I marveled at her ease with another child, one whom she had never met. Then I remembered how much fun she always has with the other older girls in her life, whether it's our 13-year-old babysitter, friends Jenny and Sadie (7 and 9 years) or her high school age ballet teacher.

After all, hanging with the big girls is always fun -- for both Lucie and mom.