Mother's Day Dinner

Mike asked what I wanted for Mother's Day and I told him that I wanted the whole family to go out to dinner together. Over dinner, we debated about when the last time was that all nine of us went out together and I don't think we came up with an answer. It was at least several years ago, though. We decided to go tonight, instead of waiting until tomorrow. We figured the restaurants will all be really crowded and Hannah and Steven have a hard time waiting. Plus, I was thinking about going strawberry picking tomorrow, depending on the weather.

Dinner was wonderful, we went to my favorite Italian restaurant, Sal's, and it was so good. While we were there, I was thinking back to when the kids were little (or younger for the older boys) and how hectic it was when we went out to dinner. Today it was so peaceful and calm. We didn't have to pass plates back and forth so we could cut up the little kid's meat. We didn't have to tell anyone to quiet their voices and no one cried or spilled. We didn't have to clean any dropped (or thrown) food off the floor before leaving. No one had to be reminded to say please and thank you to the waitress. There was no bickering. It was awesome! We did have to tell one child that it probably isn't appropriate to make an open-faced spaghetti sandwich, if it involves holding the spaghetti on top with your hand, but that was pretty minor!

On the way home, it started to get really windy and pour, so we got pretty soaked getting into the house. Of course, as soon as we all got to the front porch, the rain slowed. Jack just came down to tell us that yet another big storm is on the way. I guess we got lucky with the first one and only caught the edge because the same storm caused 3" hail in Newport News. If it keeps raining at the rate it has been for the last few weeks, I won't have to spend a penny on water for my garden!

Steven, Hannah and Alex

Michelle and Mike

Shauna, Drew, and Luke

Dad, Jack, and Steven

Hannah, Alex, and Shauna