Sunday, October 22, 2006

It Seemed Like A Good Idea...

This afternoon we were in search of adventure. So, we decided to try taking the children to a hibachi grill-type Japanese restaurant for dinner. The children called it, "the chef's house that makes the big fire food."

The fountain and goldfish in the waiting area were a huge hit...but the hibachi grill--especially the big fire--was another story. R was actually sort of into it, K was apprehensive but curious, and P was a nervous wreck. He started shouting, "I want to go! No fire. I need to go to the car. I am ALL DONE!" while standing in his high chair with one leg over the side. We tried repreatedly to calm him down and get him to stay. His response was picking up every plate, bowl, cup, utensil and napkin within his reach, handing them to me systematically and saying, "I all done plate. I all done bowl. I all done fork. I. GO. NOW!"

I took him out to the fountain to spare the other (childless) party seated with us the drama. Of course, the other two insisted on following when they saw that the seating hostess was entertaining P by allowing him to bang on a drum and feed the fish.

As husband facilitated our escape by quickly settling the tab and packing our uneaten food into to go boxes, the chef said in broken English. "My wife. She want kids. I say no. This is why."

Oh well. Looks like it is back to Waffle House for us! :-)

10 comments:

Ivey's Mom said...

Stick to the quick eateries...
Moe's and I can't really think of any place else. Too funny!!

Anonymous said...

We stick to quick places too. Going out to eat w/kids can be hard.

Paulette said...

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA This was so funny. I could just see ya'll I LOVE IT!! I love watching children at restaurants. You guys are so awesome. Too sweet

Teresa said...

Oh my goodness. I don't think we'll be attempting that. BOTH of my boys are just like Parker. That's exactly how my daughter was at a place like that. She just turned 9 and she still doesn't like the big flame at the beginning. Of course she's a LOT tamer than she used to be. She would also get up and get as far away from the chef as possible!

Funny story!!

Leslie said...

Oh, I feel your pain. You never know until you try...and then it's too late! :)

We live by the rule, "If they don't offer crayons we ain't going." (Yes, we really talk like that...we're from Arkansas! Hee!)

:)
:)
:)

HW said...

I say good for you for trying it. It sounds like they all would have done well if not for the fire.
We used to have to avoid a local steak house because of the "fire through the window" that frightened my daughter when she was little.
Here's a little tip for down the road. We also used to have to put cotton balls in her ears at the movie theaters. She was very sensitive to the loud volume of the movie screen. I had to leave the first movie I tried with her and ask for my money back, because the volume scared her so much. We tried again a few days later with cotton balls in her ears. It dulled the volume just enough but still allowed her to hear.
So if you have a noise-sensitive little one, take cotton balls on your first movie attempt.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures - looks like the gardens were beautiful. Glad you found the dog owners because I was sitting here wondering what you were going to name your new additions.

Love the kids' sweaters.

Girl Raised in the South said...

The chef's response - priceless! Did laughing about it almost make it worth eating at your kitchen table after you paid restaurant prices? Someday Parker may grow up to be fascinated with playing with fire, and if he does, you'll have a story to tell about back when.

Renee said...

That chef's comment had me laughing! But I'm sure you probably were not at the moment. We usually do fast places but once in a while a "loud" sit down place. I keep a bag of plastic, little animals in the car that the boys know are just for those times. Has helped thus far...along with crayons and paper supplies too. But face it, it's never easy, is it?

Stacey said...

I've never been to one of those places. They seem so cool but I wasn't sure if you could take kids or not. I guess we'll have to check into it : )