I felt about 50% better today, and so I went grocery shopping. Woo-hoo. After I put everything away, I decided that I was too tired to cook anything. Man, does the flu take it out of you or what? Mackenzie had Irish dance class tonight, and I knew that there was a pizza place two doors over, so I made a split second, executive decision.
"Grab your coats and hats, everyone; we're going to eat pizza while your sister takes class."
Amid shouts of "hallelujah!" and massive high fiving, I reassured Mackenzie that I'd grab take out for her, and away we went. I dropped her off and the rest of us went into the restaurant, to be greeted by exuberant employees, each one shouting madly above another, "Welcome! We're so glad to have you!" It was a bit, um, overwhelming, considering that we were the only customers, and they were trying just a bit too hard to be welcoming. The manager took our order as I sent the kids back to the table, and I grabbed the cups. Riley was given a clear cup, for water, and the other kids were given green cups.
I filled my cup with unsweetened tea, and the kids received pink lemonade in their green cups. Riley's clear cup was for water, because I really didn't want her having lemonade. Also, hello, I'm cheap, and I didn't want to pay $2 for a drink for a three year old. I knew, though, that if she saw them drinking a PINK drink, when she had a CLEAR drink, she'd raise the roof. What to do, what to do? I briefly thought about giving her lemonade anyway, despite the sign on the drink dispenser that said, in large, bold print:
CLEAR CUPS ARE FOR WATER ONLY!!!!!!!!
What the hell, I'm a rebel anyway, I thought to myself, and gave her an inch of pink lemonade, probably less, topped off with water. Lots of water, to make a barely pink drink, but just enough so she'd feel like she got the same drink. Feeling pretty happy about my decision, I made my way back to the table and plunked down the cups.
"WHAT?" Emma screeched. "Why does SHE get a clear cup of lemonade and I've got to have a stupid GREEN cup?" I looked around madly, hoping that no one had heard my child. "Emma, quiet." I said. Then Riley piped up. "I want a GREEN cup - not a clear cup with lemonade in it. No CLEAR CUP!" she bellowed. "I want a GREEN CUP!"
I glanced around, and noticed that I had attracted the attention of the manager, the three pizza makers, and the one lone customer who had come in after us. All of them, staring at the mom too cheap to buy her kid a lemonade and her kid who'd busted her.
Those are the moments where Andrew and I look deeply into each others' eyes and say, "Remind me why we had children? I need to know"
:)
Posted by: Michelle | February 17, 2007 at 02:43 AM
HAHAHAHAHA! Thats just funny.
Posted by: Karly | February 17, 2007 at 12:48 PM
So, what did you do? Did you laugh it off, or did you give in and buy Riley the drink?
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 17, 2007 at 04:38 PM
ok I guess I am the meanest mom in the world because I never pay for drinks when we go out (unless special occasion) -- I always have water and the kids/husband does too. Maybe I am cheap but it just never makes sense to pay for a drink -- like what the heck is wrong with water? Next time they all get clear cups! lol
Posted by: amy | February 17, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Glad you are feeling better :)
I am so with you on not buying a 3 year old their own drink. My kids still have to share a drink. That's what refills are for.
Posted by: Mrs. Fun | February 17, 2007 at 09:38 PM
It's because of things like this that I buy all 3 kids the same thing. At this point, while I'm cheap, I also value no freakouts faaaar too much.
We have water at home and almost never go out to eat, so the drink is a special treat.
Posted by: rachel | February 17, 2007 at 09:54 PM