lone star in the dark

Once upon a time, in New Orleans, when we were young and childless, we went out to dinner a lot. These days, it is a rarity. Sure it was fun to try out new places and dine with friends and drink a bit more than was necessary, but I kind of like that it's now a real treat to go out to eat. Something to be excited about.

Tonight we went to Lone Star Cafe and Bar (similar to a T.G.I.F.), and it was so much fun to experience the newness and excitement of it all through Quincy's eyes. Heck he was even excited to be going out when it was dark (we left at 6 o'clock!). Pretty telling of our social life really! (I commented to Jeremy that if we lived in Cincinnati, Q wouldn't think that going out after dark was strange at all. And Jeremy replied that we would have to have two cars so that he could go home at a reasonable hour because he was not going to be one of the in-laws asleep on the floor in the other room!)

Initially he kept looking around, wide-eyed and happy, saying "Lotsa people fancy dinner".

His drink was probably the biggest hit of the night. Milk in a tall glass with a straw is apparently the best thing since...well, since rubbish trucks (this week's obsession).

And then his kid's meal dessert arrived. I think the photo speaks for itself.

But as it usually does when you take a toddler out past their bedtime, it all turned to custard in the end. His world came crashing down the moment I got in the driver's seat and papa got in "mama's seat". He was tired. It was unexpected. He likes to have order. Not too hard to figure out, but it sure is interesting how young stereotypes can form.