7.7.07

happy anniversary to my phil! 

phil had the day off so we were able to spend it all together with the kids.  mostly low-key– went to the long beach aquarium but didn’t stay very long because it was sooo crowded which made it not fun trying to get around.  we did get the year-long family membership and so will be able to go again during the week when it’s much quieter.  afterward, we walked along the boardwalk and enjoyed being outside away from the crowds.  had lunch at “tugboat pete’s” then headed home so the kids could nap.  allie and phil napped, mikey played in his room (that boy!), and i watched a little tv– monk and then ‘jon and kate plus 8’.  that mom is incredible.  imagine taking care of 8 children under 4!  whew.  makes taking care of mikey and allie seem like cake.

when everyone was up and ready to go, we headed out for dinner.  initially the plan was to go to islands (thinking kid-friendly, people!), but the line out the door was so long we decided to keep driving and find someplace else.  we ended up at mimi’s cafe – historically not our favorite place to eat, but it’s now become my top family-friendly place to eat after tonight!  it’s so much to do with the little things and our experience tonight was great.  the first plus was getting a booth with a toy truck right behind us which kept mikey entertained.  they didn’t have a problem with having a high chair at the booth (other places have said no because it blocks the walkway).  soon after we were seated, the host brought over two little plates with cheerios and crackers.  such a little thing but it totally won my heart!  i’ve never seen this extra bit of service before and it shows how someone put a little extra thought into making eating in a restaurant a bit easier on families with little kids.  our drinks came out right away and were refilled promptly.  both mikey and allie got their own drink cups (for free!  er, included in the ONE kids’ meal price) the server then came over and offered to take the order for the kids so they wouldn’t have to wait as long.  we ordered one kid’s meal of spaghetti and i said they could share it.  the food came out quickly and she brought it on two separate plates and each had their own sides.  i thought then that maybe she didn’t hear me and we ended up buying two kids’ meals.  our food also came out quickly (i had lamb. yum!).  then dessert came out for the kids.  they each got an ‘oreo dirt cup’– chocolate pudding topped with crushed oreos with two gummy worms. 

we paid the bill and i looked over the charges.  they only charged us one kid’s meal even though it was pretty much two.  that did it for me– going that extra mile for my little guys will get me every time.  i am now a confirmed mimi’s fan!    it is hard to find a good restaurant suitable to take kids to.

conversely, giving us horrible service will not make this mama very happy.  a recent substandard experience at chilis in minnesota resulted in me speaking with the manager and getting our meal comped.  i didn’t speak to the manager intending to get anything for free, i just wanted him to know that we had a very bad experience in his restaurant and hoped it would be improved in the future.  he insisted though.  believe me, it has to be really really terrible for me to speak up and this was terrible.  on mother’s day, no less.

so, all’s well that ends well.  we had a good anniversary today.  pictures to come.  still can’t find that cable!