Liana is great in restaurants. And we eat out at least a few times a week. Once or twice we do a breakfast with eggs and potatoes in a diner. And at least once or twice we do a nice restaurant.
I pack up Liana’s backpack, each time with a few of the same items that are always there, and always a few surprises. So Liana has things to pull out of the bag and entertain herself. We bring crayons and paper too. Or, if it is a fancy restaurant in which we really don’t want to leave crayon marks on the tablecloth, we bring those magic markers and special paper….the ones in which the markers don’t write on anything but the paper.
Last week we took we took Antonia out to Uncle Peter’s to celebrate her 80th birthday. Her actual birthday was on Monday, and friends and family have been celebrating with her all week. Liana and I were the last to share in the festivities.
Let me tell you a little bit about my wonderful neighbor Antonia. She lives right across the hall. Every night, when Liana gets into her jammies, we ring Antonia’s doorbell and the two of them have a little paseo down the hallway to the elevator and back. When they pass the stairwell, Antonia lets go of Liana’s hand, and Liana comes running to me, jumps into my arms, and gives me a big hug. And then Antonia gives her tres besos. It is one of our evening rituals.
And the weekend before last Carol and Liana and I went out to brunch to celebrate the Obama victory. Liana put her cloth napkin on her lap, and requested fresh cheese on her pasta. She really is terrific. But when she is done, she is done. And ready to go.
Now.
I pack up Liana’s backpack, each time with a few of the same items that are always there, and always a few surprises. So Liana has things to pull out of the bag and entertain herself. We bring crayons and paper too. Or, if it is a fancy restaurant in which we really don’t want to leave crayon marks on the tablecloth, we bring those magic markers and special paper….the ones in which the markers don’t write on anything but the paper.
Last week we took we took Antonia out to Uncle Peter’s to celebrate her 80th birthday. Her actual birthday was on Monday, and friends and family have been celebrating with her all week. Liana and I were the last to share in the festivities.
Let me tell you a little bit about my wonderful neighbor Antonia. She lives right across the hall. Every night, when Liana gets into her jammies, we ring Antonia’s doorbell and the two of them have a little paseo down the hallway to the elevator and back. When they pass the stairwell, Antonia lets go of Liana’s hand, and Liana comes running to me, jumps into my arms, and gives me a big hug. And then Antonia gives her tres besos. It is one of our evening rituals.
And the weekend before last Carol and Liana and I went out to brunch to celebrate the Obama victory. Liana put her cloth napkin on her lap, and requested fresh cheese on her pasta. She really is terrific. But when she is done, she is done. And ready to go.
Now.
