Everyone knows it's Wendy's

Kate and I spent a beautiful weekend in Hilton Head, SC, compliments of our pals The Keefers: Kim and Robbie, and their kids, Adams and Victoria. The children played, jumped "big waves," swam in the pool, went to a children's museum-type place with Robbie while Kim and I shopped, and had an overall good mixed-family weekend. No injuries, good sharing of toys, and a few adult beverages consumed.

Meanwhile, Scott logged in Sunday Number Three in Great Falls, and after the Mt. Dearborn service, had lunch with two of the church families. He said they had a ball -- laughed, laughed, and laughed some more.....we like this. It's fun having folks you can laugh with. And they treated him to Wendy's.

It's a long drive (albeit quite worthit) from HHI, so Kate and I decided to take our time, and to eat at a restaurant instead of fast food. There's no question what I chose........pause....... What would you choose?

Cracker Barrel, no doubt would be your choice, as it was mine. Kate ordered the macaroni and cheese, a no-fail option for nutrition. In fact, when Robbie make them M&C at the beach, she ate three helpings of it. I ordered breakfast, and we split some bacon. She ate one slice of bacon, and just decided she could not eat her macaroni. After loads of cajoling, I got her to eat maybe three bites, but that's it. I tried not to show my frustration, but could not keep my eyes off the mound of macaroni left.

We paid, and I toted around the gift area three to-go cups of drinks (water and Sprite for Kate; water for me) since Kate said her cups were too cold. So I juggled these cold, sweaty beverages while Kate checked out the toys until I found that the classic Cracker Barrel table top checker board makes an excellent coaster, and I was able to put them down briefly (http://everythingelse.shop.ebay.com/items/Everything-Else__W0QQ_nkwZcrackerQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZEverythingQ2dElseQQ_sacatZ99 to view Cracker Barrel's unique coaster/checkboard game).

So, we left. And it wasn't far down the road I hear the dreaded words, "I'm hungry" shortly after we pass an exit with a Wendy's sign. Kate adores Wendy's chicken nuggets, and she decided she wanted some. And I BECAME frustrated at her not eating her M&C. So, I offered a compromise: She had to pay for her own nuggets. I knew she had a $5 bill in her purse (along with a ton of change -- and thank goodness! I had to borrow quarters from her for the toll road in HHI on the way down there).

Crying ensued. "But I want to get back $5, not four." I said, "if you want nuggets, you have to pay for them, so you will get back four dollars, or else we won't stop." I'm feeling like a Mean Momma at this point, but liking it. I'm feeling a bit creative, like this idea could be a suggestion on that NPR show, The Parents Journal, that eeks into my brain at 6 am Saturday mornings. I can even hear the host, Bobbi Connor, saying "next we have a Parent Tip from Jan Smoak of Columbia, South Carolina. Jan, give us your tip to mealtime at your house."

"Bobbi, if my child wants to eat, I simply make her buy her own food. We see improved eating habits, and a great deal less waste. This week, we may even have her chip in on our gas bill."

I am also feeling somewhat justified.....I would have felt better handing over $3.29 to some homeless person rather than leave the mound of M&C on her plate at the Cracker Barrel.

So, we slid through the drive through.....she handed over the bill, and I floated her .06 so she could get back her four dollars. Once tears were wiped away, and she received her bag of nuggets (thrilled with having her own receipt!!!!), she felt satisfied. I felt satisfied. And many miles away, her daddy's trip to Wendy's left him satisfied too.