Back in the OLD OLD OLD days before we had babies Jeff and I would have date night once a week. Dinner, a movie, going to see a band play, or just hanging out. Ahhh, the sweet, sweet freedom. Somebody should have warned us to really appreciate these nights more because once you have children those nights are GONE GONE GONE. Even if you get a babysitter it is still much drama and the sweet, sweet freedom isn’t the same. Our date nights now consist of take out on Saturday night eaten while sitting around the coffee table after putting the babies to bed. We usually watch a movie or read together while cuddled on the couch (and of course I get my nightly foot rub). Ahhhh, the sweet, sweet relaxing foot rub (did I mention my hubby spoils me rotten and I love it!).

So anyway, we decided to be brave this weekend and take the babies out to dinner. The last couple of times we’ve taken them out to eat have been successful so we weren’t worried. We headed out to the library where the babies decided to play hide and seek and give Mama a heart attack. They are normally really good about holding my hands while we walk and not go running off. Not so good this time. Shenzie thought is was hilarious to run up the aisle and around the corner where I couldn’t see her. Heaten thought it was hilarious to drop to the ground and not walk at all. This ended with me picking up the crying Heaten (pretty loud in the quiet library) and running to find where Shenzie had run off to. Which led to me putting them both screaming and crying back in the (broken and ghetto) stroller and hightailing it out of there to find Daddy.

We headed home for a quick clothing change and sippy refill before our big night out on the town (hahah). Heaten was rather fussy, but this is nothing unusual. We should have taken the clue and just stayed home. We get to the restaurant where he proceeds to freak out over everything. He can’t figure out the drink with the lid and straw so he has a meltdown. He wants to eat the crayons and we won’t let him so he has a meltdown. He wants to get out of the booth and he can’t so he has a meltdown. Meanwhile Shenzie is being an Angel sitting next to me chomping away on chips and salsa. Jeff takes Crazy Heaten outside to try to calm him down. This works until he brings him back in where Heaten once again has a meltdown. There is no way we are going to be able to eat while Heaten is flailing around crying and yelling so we ask the server to please make our order to go. My anxiety level is quite high at this point and Jeff is not amused with the flailing, crazy Heaten. We just want to get out of there as quickly and quietly as possible. We get to the car where Jeff finds that I left the driver side door wide open. Don’t even ask how in the world I did that one. Sometimes I think I may have a screw or two loose. Upon getting home I find this email from Baby Center ( they send weekly emails with tips about typical toddler behavior by age).

Hello, lesley!
Don’t let typical toddler behavior keep you from enjoying an occasional meal out. You deserve a break! Some quick tips: Choose a family-friendly restaurant — any place with a kids’ menu, crayons and paper, and a din loud enough to drown out occasional squeals and whines. Take along a few small toys and plastic baggies of snack food (crackers, cubes of cheese, cut-up fruit) to keep your toddler occupied. Those diversions should buy you enough time to order and enjoy most of your meal.

So there you have it, don’t let those crazy, screaming, yelling toddlers keep you from eating your meal!