Friday the 13th, A slightly better day (eating out that is)

Veterans Day brought a rarity, Fernando was off work. Mia on the other hand had school. Mia already convinced Fernando that family bonding time was far more important than school, but at least my in class room helping that day swayed her into half day attendance.

The day was planned as follows:

Family Walk Mia to School--too late, so we had to drive
Group trip to the gym---Talia was sick, so we couldn't leave her in the YMCA daycare
(saved me the pain & humiliation of trying to match workout pace with Fernando)
Read to kids in Mia's classroom---accomplished and enjoyed
Gracefully check Mia out of school for the day---checked out, secretary peeved
Library Storytime--skipped
Ride in the BraPark---beautiful,

bummer we don't all have bikes




Free Veterans lunch at Applebee's--avoided, bait and switch to IHOP (gag for me)

After that we just fell into normal 2nd Wednesday of the month routines with Dance class and Recipe exchange.

Fernando went back to work, but surprised us with an early return home around 4 pm. I was plumb out of ideas for dinner and hijacked the family for some TGI Fridays 2 for $20 deal. On the drive over, I explained how Friday the 13th fears are for those who lack faith and understanding of our Heavenly Father's plan. (ok, a bit of a stretch, but I thought that I could use their curiosity as a teaching moment) I explained that we have nothing to fear (not even fear itself) and so we were celebrating the day in a Thank Goodness style.

Have you been to this restaurant? I had been years before in Utah and this was nothing close to that experience. The restaurant was dark even for restaurant standards and the Bar was the prominent feature. You even could get cheaper appetizers for sitting there first. Luckily we had a window seat and the deal was too good to be true. We were all very much satiated for under $25. Talia went to town on the spinach artichoke dip appetizer and the kids were digging the cedar roasted salmon. I on the other hand was lapping up the gourmet 5 cheese macaroni that was smothered in blue cheese flavor.