The day of the boys was even better than I hoped! They were perfectly behaved, except for a few split seconds when they got overly excited about the automatic toilet paper dispenser in the men's bathroom. But after that we used the women's bathroom, which was just as exciting with it's liquid soap pump and hot air blower for the hand dryer, after ONE piece of paper towel each from the dispenser.
Yes, the bathrooms were almost as exciting as the play area.
Erika was able to keep it a surprise, so the boys didn't know what to expect. They just knew they had to be down at the corner where I always pick up Erika at 1 p.m. Erika said that Junior kept saying it was 1 pm long before it was time because he was excited to go.
Everything was a fun experience from start to finish. Riding in the car was exciting. Since Lorenzo is 10, he got to sit in the front seat. He loved that. As he put on his seat belt he looked almost as proud as if he were receiving his high school diploma. Junior wanted the window down so he could see outside. You may know that it is not safe to drive with the windows down, especially in the area where these kids live. I explained why my windows are tinted so dark (to deter thieves and so people can't see a single female in the car). That made it easier for them to understand that we would roll up windows at stop lights or anyplace someone was walking in the street. They were good about following that rule. On the way home we joked that we don't want anyone to steal our left over pizza!
As we drove away I asked was if they wanted pizza or chicken. Carlos, who hardly ever talks, immediately said pizza! Junior was too busy looking out the window to answer and Lorenzo was so thrilled to sit up straight with his seat belt in the front seat, I am not sure he heard anything else going on around him. They did all agree on pizza so we went to Pizza Hut which has a playland.
At first we were the only ones there. Then two very skinny, NOT very rough and tumble kids came along, and then two small girls. I thought to myself, oh no. This might not be good. But there was not one problem. They all played together well and did just fine. Later two boys in private school uniforms showed up and played much more loudly and aggressively, chasing the other kids and roaring at them. But my three boys were perfect. (Insert happy face here.)
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| Lorenzo, Junior and Carlos |
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| Lorenzo |
Erika and I decided to order a package which came with drinks for all of us, cheesy garlic bread, pizza and 2 desserts. The boys played, then ordered drinks (horchata for all).
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| Carlos, Junior, Lorenzo |
The cable tv with cartoons caught their eye for a minute, so everyone did an about-face. Then they got back to playing until the cheesy garlic bread arrived.
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| Cheesy garlic bread |
We held off on ordering pizza and played until the bathrooms became so exciting. Then the pizza came quickly, and I was grateful for the distraction.
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| We can add our own cheese?!??!! |
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| Marjory had some pizza too |
As I watch the little kids eat things here (especially chips and junk food) I often think back to the way my sister-in-law carefully introduced one thing at a time, in a special order each week, into the diets of my nephews when they started eating soft food. No judgement either way, just very different. Here, the rule is basically, as long as the kids aren't choking they can eat it.
The pizza was great. Best pizza I've had so far. The waiter tried to tell me that take out pizza costs less because it is different. I didn't believe him, but he sure was right! Our pizza had lots of sauce and there were no bubbles of dough in the middle. The cheese covered it all. We agreed it was yummy! The boys gobbled up their first piece which made me nervous we hadn't ordered enough. They slowed way down on their second piece, and the third was boxed to go. The pieces were tiny, but the dough was thick.
After more play time we had dessert.
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Carlos with a smile and bright, shiny eyes.
This photo makes my whole day perfect! |
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| Carlos doing somersaults |
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| Lorenzo |
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| Junior |
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Typical Junior
always hanging from something |
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| Such a sweet boy |
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| So good at sharing! |
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| Marjory's first maraschino cherry - to match her new shirt |
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| Real sundae spoons were a hit! |
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| Carlos |
We shared two delicious desserts of whipped cream with pineapple and watermelon. At first we were missing a spoon so the boys took turns feeding me. When I thanked one for a bite of watermelon, then each of them wanted to find me a bite of watermelon. Same with the pineapple. They are so good at sharing!
At the end of the meal, the waiter (who was very interested in talking to me) told me he was very impressed with the way the kids behaved and how I am with them. I told him it's easy because they are great and I love them! Then he gave us a discount.
As we drove home the kids exclaimed, "Que Rico!" about everything from street signs to businesses.
Everything was good. They piled out of the car full of smiles and happiness once they figured out how to open the door handles. Four hours later, my heart is still full from spending the day with such special boys.
