Monday, March 26, 2007

By Order of the Authorities

Last night we went out for Chinese food with my parents in Orange County. Jarrah has recently been, shall we say, a challenging dining companion. First, she scattered a dozen or so gnawed orange slices across the table and wedged some chop sticks into available cracks, ready to impale the next person to reach for the sweet and sour chicken. Then she slurped a mess of five-foot-long soba noodles into her face and scattered edamame pods around her chair like a toddler garnish. Throughout, she brandished her hoisin-covered fingers like tiny Fabric Destroyers, heat-sensing for nearby sleeves. Finally, she hoisted a 32 oz. cup of water, which inevitably slipped from her greasy fingers, bounced off the table, and splashed fountain-like towards other diners.

And that's when a waiter came over and erected a yellow CAUTION cone next to Jarrah's high chair. And no, Readers, I am not creatively lying this time.

8 comments:

David said...

I wish I had thought to take a photo of Jarrah and her caution sign. Maybe we should have our own to take with us wherever we dine.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, dining out with a two year-old. It's like trying to herd house cats. You probably thought I was kidding when I said that we stopped taking Joshua to restaurants from about age 25 months until about age 3. Unless it involved lots of crayons, snacks, and lightning fast family friendly service, we skipped it with the boy! Jared is now on restaurant hiatus as well. My hope is that we'll get back to taking him in about 6 months or so.

A caution sign. That's priceless!

Anonymous said...

Try Buco di Beppo Italian restaurant - kids can do any thing there, and the activity & conversational noise levels are so high, no one notices. Food's pretty good, too.

Best, Gail

Anonymous said...

I love it!

I wonder if Joy had been there, would they have needed two cones?

OXOX

Mary

Anonymous said...

So funny! :) Liz

Anonymous said...

Sam,

I know you are getting "the terrible 2's" in all their er...um...glory, but hang in there. Just like Robyn we skipped eating out a lot during her 2-3 year, unless it was somewhere they knew us or was super kid friendly, because she went through a spectacular messy phase. I'm sorry the waiter decided to draw unnecessary attention to you, it's hard enough in the moment and you don't need any additional embarrassment.

Alleen said...

Haaaaaaahaaaaaaa. For me the issue isn't a mess but oh, let's put it mildly and say hissy fits the moment her butt hits the highchair.

Those who serve the little dictatrice. said...

So nice to know that we are not alone! :) When dining out, we need a caution cone for our "darling two year old" and tranquilizers for me!!