Cabin Fever

First off my apologies for not posting earlier this week. I know I promised a giveaway and my first round of "favorite things." I haven't forgotten or even put it on the back burner, I will start it either later today or first thing tomorrow. I promise it will be worth the wait! The last few days have been filled with hastily finishing work projects, battling crazy Walmart shoppers stuffing their carts with every last consumable product (someone please tell me why they sold out of celery and 8,000 eggs), and planning kid friendly activities all in preparation for our Oklahoma blizzard. Those of you in the northeast should be laughing at us right about now. We did in fact have a blizzard with considerable snow drifts, but I probably didn't need to be snowed in for three days. Coming up with no fewer than 75 art/craft/cooking projects and games per day for a preschooler is more exhausting than putting in a full week at the office with overtime. This is compounded when you only expect to be trapped for one day. In the end, being snowbound=not a single moment of alone time. Not good for this momma who needs plenty of time to debrief each day!

So the roads are still packed with snow, pretty slick in spots, and a step outside leaves your body shaking with bone chilling temps, but overall it is not worth another city semi shut-down. By lunchtime of day two we were all just a bit nuts so my husband shoveled half the driveway and took the mom mobile (my beloved Chevy Traverse-LOVE this car) out for a test run. The Ohio native declared the roads passable so we bundled up and headed out to a little place that I fondly refer to as paradise.

I've mentioned before that while we live in a college town with a major university, it is still a small town. We have two super Walmarts, Old Navy, and plenty of adorable local owned businesses but no Target and not many kid friendly locales. We do however have Chik-fil-a. Ours is like no other in the country. Fast food is fast food...right? Wrong!

This particular establishment is about as family friendly as you can get. These days instead of heading to the bars we head to Chik-Fil-A for a good time. While there we are surrounded by "our people." A quick glance around the place reveals numerous parents all with small children under the age of 5. The parents are enjoying a meal in peace (with fresh flowers on every table!) while their children are playing on a CLEAN, closed off, indoor playground designed only for little kids. It is not uncommon to see children pulling on the handle to the door of the playground (placed ingeniously at their level) and running back and forth between playing and eating. This all but eliminates the need for parents to leave their table. The visible stress levels melt away from faces as soon as they enter the restaurant. I imagine the prerequisite for working there is to say "It's my pleasure" with  heartfelt desire 800 times during the interview process. Each employee shares this statement with every customer, and they always seem to be saying it from a place of true commitment to customer service. Unlike other establishments, they tell you to sit down and when your food is ready they bring it to you. Being able to focus on getting the kids settled without 10 trips to the counter, dropping the beloved "best ever monkey" into ketchup, or spilling the contents of the diaper bag is a lifesaver!  The employees offer all the help you need with a wonderful smile, care, and laugh if you look like you need one.

I think it is important to find these gems in our communities and frequent them regularly. Just the mention of Chik-Fil-A can turn our daughter's sour mood into a delightful one. In fact, we often see many of the same families visit after visit. It is nice to make connections with new people and our daughter enjoys making new friends. Added bonus...the food is consistently delicious with plenty of healthy options and nobody cares if your child has a massive meltdown in the middle of the place. In fact, some understanding parent will probably offer to watch after your other children while you calm the crazy one. We have plenty of other kid activities in the local cities, but some days we just don't have time to drive the hour there and back so instead we get creative. Creativity is truly the key to good parenting and a successful marriage. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box and try something new. Worst case scenario...the activity fails. On the positive though, your failed activity might lend way to a new discovery.

From now on, I will look at snow days with appreciation and just another chance to test my mom skills! Thank you Chik-Fil-A. Thank you for allowing my family and others to eat lunch and hang out there for hours. We will be back again soon!