Over the weekend we were in Palo Alto to buy a piece of fruit. Everyone say hello to Katherine. Katherine say hello to everyone. So pretty. So very pretty.
While we were in Palo Alto we thought we’d eat in a big kids restaurant. Complete with tablecloths and everything. Before we had Nathan we always said we didn’t think people should bring kids to places inappropriate for their age. If your kid is going to scream and cry, then maybe anything without a built in playground isn’t for you. So it was with a little trepidation that we sat down. However, as soon as he made the slightest fuss I sort of force nursed him and he hushed right up and went back to sleep. Although, David was halfway out of his chair and ready to whisk them out onto the sidewalk so as to not disturb other other diners. Why? Because this is what you do. Just because you decide to have a child doesn’t mean the rest of the world wants in on your kid. Especially when eating supper out on a Saturday night.
Apparently not everyone feels this way. While we were sitting with our drinks three women came in with a total of eight kids. All under 8 years old. Let me back up and preface this by mentioning there is a printed menu posted right next to the front door. You can’t get in without seeing the menu. Of this party of eleven, without reservations, only one spoke English. And it was very limited. The three women go over the menu a eleventy-three times and discuss it in great detail - in Korean. Meanwhile their kids are climbing on chairs and “toasting” each other, spilling all over the place at the same time. The waiter makes several attempts to get their orders but they are confused because the italian restaurant doesn’t seem to have red sauce. In my head I point to the forty or so odd chains that are quickly taking over University and any one of them not only has red sauce, but doesn’t serve shrimp with heads and tails intact.
The women decide one pizza will be fine for the table. I see the waiter cringe just a little bit. Remember where we are and what time of day is it. He brings out the pizza and they see it doesn’t come close to feeding eleven people. They go back to the menu and bring up the topic of red sauce again. The waiter concedes that he can ask for red sauce and pasta for the kids and the kids only. The women want to know the price. $3.95. Hell, that’s a bargain at twice the price. We’re on University in Palo Alto on a Saturday night. They debate some more and, are you ready? She tries to talk him DOWN! So the waiters offers something not on the menu at a price cheaper than a Happy Meal in downtown Palo Alto on a summer Saturday and they try to talk him down. Amazing. We left before they actually decided - and we had dessert, however we played in the Apple Store, bought a computer and a printer, and they were still there - and by the looks of their table without having eaten anything aside from the pizza when we passed them on the way back to the car. I so feel sorry for the waiter and the tips his missed out on from those five tables they took from him.
Sunday we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. David drives by a billboard advertising their new otter exhibit everyday so we thought we’d check it out. On the way down there was the predictable traffic on 101 through Morgan Hill and Gilroy and then again at the stupid Big Red Barn right before the 156 exchange. Traffic started to slow down again right before Seaside which is really unusual. Finally we spot a cop in an SUV. However cars in the fast lane are passing said cop like she is standing still. When it’s our turn to pass I look over and spy the reason she is going 40 mph on the highway. She’s on her freaking cell phone. I kid you not. Even cops can’t drive and talk on their phones. Everyone put down your phones and pick up your steering wheel. Please.
Oh? The Aquarium?
Like Nathan, the river otters were fast asleep…
but the ocean otters were adorable!
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