alms for the poor...or actually, just some change to shut up the screaming toddler

   Last night, I attempted to enjoy a meal out with friends.  Mike had a fever, and was not feeling well at all, so off I go to the mexican restaurant with both children in tow.  It had been ages since I had seen my friends, and it got the children away from Mike's contagious disease.  The bonus, he got a break away from the kids, and I got cheese dip and a minute to catch up with some friends.  Both children were in pretty good moods, so I left with my usual arsenal of snacks, juice boxes, and the big gun, my Kindle Fire.  Molly is usually pretty good if there is food involved.  Colin can get very whiny, but has gotten much better with age.  I have never been the person that avoids restaurants after children.  My children should be pros by now.  I do frequently let the server know that we are on a clock.  We have about 45 minutes on a normal day, and just over an hour on a good one.  The clock starts when we sit down.  I usually let the server know in advance that I will need the check with the food if possible.  I think we can all agree, that it is best if we have our escape planned ahead of time.  Children are unpredictable at times, and last night was one of those times.
    Molly...well, she didn't want to sit at the table.  This is where the trouble started. We even picked the table right next to the fountain.  The restaurant has a wishing fountain right in the middle.  Molly couldn't be distracted with chips, salsa, or cheese dip.  Even sips of Mommy's sweet tea didn't seem to help(don't judge, we all know we try anything to calm them down in a restaurant. Outside of a margarita, which I briefly considered...for myself, of course :)  She worked herself into a frenzy, several times over.  Nothing was making her happy, but I had already ordered my food, and I was going to do my best to tough it out through this meal.  I figured something was bound to turn her mood around.  Just as I was making the decision to ask for my meal to go, Molly turns around, sniffs, and asks for "money" while pointing to the coins at the bottom of the fountain.  Great, I have like two pennies in the bottom of my backpack.  My friends and I pool our money, and we come up with about 10 cents in pennies.  Molly is now ecstatic.  She is giggling, and throwing coins into the fountain.  I am already worried about what will happen when the pennies run out.  Within a couple of minutes of that thought, Molly turns and asks for "more please."  We tell her we don't have any more money, and the tears start again, just as the food arrives.  My friend Kim runs to the register with a dollar bill, and the server came back with a salsa cup of pennies.  We all breathe a sigh of relief as the restaurant is filled with the sound of her giggles all over again.  I thank Kim for her fast thinking.  Of course, I hadn't seen my friends in forever, so the pennies didn't last for the whole conversation and meal.  I was ready to go from table to table with our chip basket asking for donations.  "Help stop the screaming toddler, and let mommy enjoy her meal."  I am sure anyone within earshot would have been happy to donate to the cause.  Our server stopped by with a refill, and a handful of pennies.  I could have hugged her.  With a huge smile, Molly says "oh wow, thank you."  Then she proceeds to throw all of the remaining coins in at once.  This is my cue to exit, stage right.
    Some days, even the simple things become difficult, like trying to have a meal or a conversation.  God forbid both happen simultaneously.  Sometimes, even the best bag of tricks is not enough to keep kids entertained and occupied.  I am forever grateful for my friends that are still willing to meet me out for meals with the kids.  The times that it is successful, it can be a fun experience, and what keeps me sane.  Time out with friends is priceless, and worth every penny we could collect...Next time though, I am getting a margarita...