The Happening

This was the picture we decided to see last night. We arrived a full 45 minutes early and good thing, the theater filled quickly and before we knew it, staff came inside and asked us all to move as far to the left as possible because the show was completely sold out!

I have to say, this movie was very good. But I'm a Shyamalan fan. Jimbo liked this one but he disliked all but The Sixth Sense from him. It's very suspenseful, has some cringing realistic gory moments, and keeps you on your seat. It also has some humor here and there to have you laughing which proved a relief at times.

The only drawback I could find is there is never truly an "explanation" of why the Happening happens. But for me, that's the good part. It keeps you thinking about the movie long after you've left your seat.

Speaking of gore. The gentleman who addressed the patrons had this to say to parents and I wanted to stand and applaud:

"To those parents who have brought with them young children, I've been told I have to inform you this movie depicts 150 suicides. So this isn't the best movie material for them to watch."

Of course, the two people I saw with children (around 6-10 years of age) stayed firmly in their seats to watch.

Oh and I have to mention this. We got a $25 gift card to O'Charley's from Mom. We went to eat beforehand and I have to tell you...it was the worst food I've ever eaten in my life. The steak tips on rice pilaf (with mushrooms and Moz cheese) was so greasy I took 3 bites and couldn't eat anymore. It was bland and disgusting. My loaded baked potato was even worse. The only saving grace were the rolls and salad but around 15 minutes after we were done I found myself in the bathroom, sick as a DOG.

I won't be going back there.

Tally

Friday we did something for the first time as a whole family...we went out to eat in a restaurant. Ok technically we went to dinner at Pizza Hut but still, we took all the kids and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. I was so pleased as all of the kids were on their very best behavior. They sat patiently and colored on their papers until the pizza arrived. We left a 20% tip and I'm sure the waitress was pretty happy as it was easy money.

On to today. I'm disappointed to report that the alloted snack times are not working out so well. As soon as a snack is finished I immediately get asked for more. On one hand I don't mind giving snacks as we eat pretty healthy around here. Sure we have chips and snack cakes but usually we eat bananas, strawberries, yogurt or popcorn. Unfortunately however the cost of gas has really hit us hard. We paid $60 to fill up the van Friday. That's $10 more than our norm and considering we'll probably have to fill it again next week that's a $20 increase. This means we have to be more conservative with things and that includes cutting back on feeding snacks to my piglets.

I've decided to give snacks 3 times per day and the major snack I've decided on is popcorn. This way I can give a snack about an hour after breakfast, another an hour after lunch (before nap) and another when they wake from nap. I know they are not starving if they get these small snacks and hopefully they will learn that these are the only times I am giving into requests. I also have to teach them that snack times doesn't mean endless snacks. Logan is terrible about asking for a yogurt, wolfing it down and wanting another...and another...and another. Logan can go through roughly 10 yogurts per day if I'd let him. He loves them more than anything else.

Annabel has been difficult as of late. At night she doesn't sleep well and therefore I don't sleep well. At first I thought she might be coming down with the same bug I have but I found out today the cause of her discomfort is from cutting her top teeth. They are trying to come through and this means now more than ever she has to start on some solids. I hope to break some ground with her in the coming weeks.

Otherwise the day has been awesome. I'm waiting for my luck to run out!

Summer Scoreboard:

Kids=2
Mom=3

Woo-Hoo! I'm on top, wonder how long that will last?!?

Breastfeeding in Public

/rant on

As you all know, I support the choice to breastfeed. I'm proud that I managed to nurse all of my children and currently Annabel is still exclusive on the breast (she is still gaining weight and I've offered food which she isn't ready for just yet).

Recently I've noticed some articles online about nursing in public. Some people and establishments expect Mothers to either cover up (which some nursing children hate, Logan did), go into the bathroom or ultimately leave. Now versus linking to each one I'll just tell you how to find them. Simply Google "Breastfeeding in Public". Then click on "news".

Maybe I don't 'get it' because I breastfeed. And if these women (the ones asked to stop) breastfeed at all like I do, you can't see anything anyway. I was at Momaw's and feeding Annabel when my uncle walked in. He never even knew and thought she was asleep. I know this because he started to walk over to take a peek at her when I laughingly said, "she's eating right now Floyd." He blushed a bit and said he didn't know. In fact, I don't believe I've ever seen a nursing woman that showed any skin at all. Sure you could tell what she was doing but not because she had her breasts hanging out for the world to see.

I think it's a shame that people expect a baby to eat in a bathroom while her Mother sits on the toilet. I think it's degrading to even suggest it. So I have a suggestion to all these boob sensitive people and establishments.

Make a nursing room women can use with their children.

It's that simple. Otherwise don't bitch when my child wants to eat and I feed her, don't cry to me that people are uncomfortable or to take it somewhere else, or to cover her up. My daughter has the same right to eat in a clean and open environment just like any other patron. The same goes for any other woman and child. If you don't like the 'problem' then do something to make a reasonable solution.

And before people say it's not the restaurant's responsibility to make themselves baby accessible, have you seen those carrier holders they offer you when you walk into the door to place beside the table? They know parents come out to eat and therefore so do children.

/rant off.

Taking Your Children out to Eat

Ok, I'm probably going to get massively flamed for this but I know other parents read this blog from time to time and I just have to ask: Do you take your children out to eat with you?

I've only done this a handful of times. Twice with Arwen and twice with Annabel. Each time my children were well behaved. Arwen got a bit excited but settled and colored with her crayons, ate her meal and followed with desert. With Annabel she sat in her booster while we ate. Afterward we tipped (10 dollars on a 35 dollar check, which is our norm) and went about her business.

But here's the thing. I read some restaurant blogs and I get the impression that servers dislike children. I'd truly hate to be tipping above and beyond to someone who sees me walk inside with my child and think to themselves, "great another brat".

I know some people don't mind their children, I've seen it myself. I've waited tables myself with obnoxious children. But not all children are terrible, some are respectful and deserve the opportunity to enjoy a day and meal out with their parents. Just like I'd hope not all servers get irritated when a family shows up to a meal, kids in tow.

So do you take your children out to eat from time to time? Or is it just me? And if so how do your children behave?