IT'S A JOE'S LIFE

On the spur of the moment I texted Kristen to see if they wanted to meet somewhere for dinner on Friday.  Mostly because the Burt man was fishing all day and I hated to tax him with making dinner after he got back.  Yes, I still let him make dinner even though I'm retired.  Which usually leads to the same discussion every day, "what do you want for dinner" at about 9:30 in the morning.  To which I respond I don't even want to think about it, it's 9:30 in the AM!  However, apparently certain preparations need to be made such as marinating, searching new and exciting recipes that I will critique (usually negatively) and, oh I don't know, for things to defrost.  As the routine is usually chicken, pork and beef with occasional side forays into other food choices, I don't know why we go through this everyday.  Well yes I do.  It  is to avoid issues later when I decide I don't want to eat what was prepared based on diet, mood and general bitchiness. Whereupon the cook can correctly point out, well you agreed.

Anyway Kristen and Joseph were available so we met at a local eatery. Arriving first, we had a short debate on the little booth or the giant booth that normally seats six customers or one Joseph. He tends to be a mover.  Sitting still for any length of time does not seem to be in his repertoire or skill set as 1) he is four, and 2) he is a boy, so obviously we grabbed the larger booth. An experienced Mom, Kristen slid the boy in first and took the outside guardian spot.  He is usually bouncy and full of joy and conversation after a hard day at work (preschool) so it is also a good idea to pick a generally noisy spot to eat so he doesn't stand out with loud conversation and giggles.

He loves to engage any and all so those around us are subject to his sparkling personality and happy smile; whether they want to or not. We usually spend our time apologizing and trying to explain that not everyone is here to be entertained.  Most are gracious once they realize we are not going to let him get too frisky.  My issue is when adults do not corral their equally active children when I am dining. Yes, your kids are cute, etc., but I don't appreciate them hanging over my booth or throwing food in my hair.  Yeah, bah humbug.  Guess what unless they're yours, they're not that cute.

Joseph does like to do his own ordering which is usually pre-suggested, and thus pre-approved by Mom. Usually does get a smile out of the servers who for the most part do their best to respond directly to him much to his delight. After ordering a perfectly acceptable meal and receiving basically a similar version of McDonald's chicken nuggets & fries though of a healthier version, he promptly turns his nose up and requests to be taken to "Old McDonald's" as he calls it.

After dinner he wanted to go to Nana/Grandpa house.  He knows there are frozen Otter pops there.  Mom agrees for "just an hour".  He immediately opens the freezer & discovers Nana's fancy expensive fruit and veggie frozen popsicles and promptly states his preference for those.  Great and here we are with literally dozens of the cheap ones!  He sits in the kitchen eating his popsicle as no food is allowed in the newly redone living room and continues to regale us with his day and dripping popsicle juice everywhere. Afterward we settle in to watch a movie and he acts all calm and sleepy. When Mom is ready to leave, he clamors to stay.  I offer to take him for the evening-it's already 7:30-8:00 and he's close to bedtime anyway and we have p-jays here. All is calm.

However within minutes of Mom leaving, Joseph wants to go outside.  Soon I am posting a picture of Grandpa and Joe out watering the tomatoes. Mom posts back "well that didn't take very long".  Never let them get a second wind I guess is the lesson there. Then he spends a few minutes exchanging stones through the fence with the neighbor boy until both sides are hollering to the boys it's time to come in.

It's good to be Joe.