How to play Valentines out with young children? Applebee’s – There’s No Place Like The Neighborhood.
I was starving by the time my husband and children picked me up from work because I used my lunch break to sneak out to the mall and do a little shopping for myself (things busy moms do with their childless free time). I jumped out the car and rushed to get inside Applebee’s with my son while my husband and daughter looked for parking. I was afraid there would be a long line by then so I decided to go ahead. To my delight, there was no line in sight. It was only 5:30 p.m. after all. My son and I were seated right away as the hostess promised to inform my husband and daughter where we were seated. The waiter asked if it was just my son and I. I hurriedly said “Daddy and baby girl are just parking, but I’m famished and ready to order the appetizers” he got the picture since my 4 month pregnant belly stuck out as if telling him to feed this hungry pregnant mama right away before all hell breaks loose.
By the time Daddy and baby girl arrived at the table so did our delicious appetizers - Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Wonton Tacos Chicken, and Potato Twisters. As my husband and I looked through the menu, the kids were busy coloring their activity mats. Thank goodness for who ever invented these diversions and crayons! And because the appetizers were already available for the kids to munch on, we were settled and relaxed enough to enjoy our stolen moments of eye locking, playing footsie, and sweet conversations on how happy we are to be parents of our almost 3 children. We even enjoyed a toast with the kids and their apple juice, my husband’s beer, and my virgin Piña Colada. By the time our main dishes arrived, we were too full to keep eating. We packed all the food away knowing we had a few more hours to enjoy the rest of the night since we started pretty early.
I have to say, Applebee’s was a great choice for a weeknight celebration like this. We had a wonderful waiter who made our dining experience as a family even more pleasant. Even my son noticed his service and made sure our waiter knew he did a wonderful job. As long as you choose a family oriented restaurant, you’ll have less to worry about.
When we got home, I found a beautiful bouquet of roses on the dining table with a blown up canvas portrait of our engagement before our wedding. One of the sweetest and meaningful Valentines gifts I’ve received from my husband by far. Around the flower vase was a beautiful hand crafted Valentines card made by my children, so unique and special.
We still had plenty of time to do homework with my son and a little rough house play with our baby girl before they were both ready to go to bed. By the time the little munchkins were pooped out in dream land, my husband and I were hungry again so we reheated our Applebee’s leftovers. We enjoyed the rest of the night cuddled with good food while watching a great show in the comfort of our own home.
That’s how we do Valentines with young ones. No traffic + no waiting for seats + no misplaced cranky children = easy breezy fun loving night. That’s what celebrating LOVE is all about.
