The Minter Minutes: A Tuesday Night of Fun

Tuesday nights are kids' nights at Chick-Fil-A. Last week on Valentine's Day, Philip took Emilia. This week was my turn. It took her no time at all to remember the slide. You know, the really big yellow one that only one kid at a time can fit into, and no parent wants to tackle climbing to retrieve their defiant child who doesn't want to come down - ever? I'm not a fan of bribery, but that's where I was headed when my child snuck into a corner where I couldn't see her, and couldn't get to myself. Eventually, she found her way down just as the big kids, who aren't allowed, ran in to rule the roost.

Overall, it's really a lovely deal: a free kid's meal with the purchase of a regular one, balloon man willing to make anything a kid wants, and a singer who will sing all the kids' songs we learn to loathe and adore at the same time. By the end of the night, Emilia was loving the guy with the instruments and songs. She informed me that she "needs to dance" as she was eating her grilled chicken nuggets and fruit, moving her shoulders up and down and side-to-side. Hopping down from the chair, she joined in on the fun - playing an instrument with the other kids and "jumping" in her dance-like movements.

Part two of the night, was a library reading night at the school where I work. Emilia insisted she needed her face painted (something she ordered at Chick-Fil-A and was disappointed they didn't have). The high school students painted the little ones' faces, and I was amazed at how well Emilia sat as her green cow emerged on her cheek. After that, more dancing, a book reading, and coloring. The excitement of the evening left me with a very tired little girl - one who was not at all going to fight me about bed time! She was dreaming of more dancing trips in a matter of minutes. Thank you, Kids' Night!