The day we ate lunch from the vending machine

Some days I just think are worth remembering.

We headed down to a more 'established' (code old) area of town to have the DVD player in the car replaced (under warranty.) I have mixed feelings about this as you know all the talk about TV rotting your brain and all. At this point, I'm pretty sure TV is rotting MY brain as my kids seem immune to it. I, on the other hand, am extremely jealous of Toot & Puddle. Sure, no one wants to be named Toot. But that pig lives the life of luxury. From what I can tell, they live scot-free in some adorable cottage just outside of a friendly cute town AND they take exotic vacations every week where they enter waffle contests and such. I'm no waffle expert but I could learn if that meant a free trip to Belgium. Or the Galapagos Islands. Not on the top of my travel list, but if that's the National Geographic trip of the week I have no problem going. Just sayin'.

Anyway, off we went with mommy's foggy brain. The shop is across the street from a McDonald's, so the obvious solution seems to be drop the car off then walk over to the playplace.

You know in the movies how they do that chalk line at a crime scene? And the body shape is always one arm up, one arm down, one leg bent? I had never realized that maybe that shape was based on fact. But right there beside the McDonald's entrance was a man, face down, in the chalk line pose. Complete with Wonder Bread PB&J sandwich in a baggie at his feet.

I'm no medical expert, but that can be good. There was another slightly homeless looking man talking to him, then mumbling for all to hear, "You just can't help some people."

My kids were totally oblivious. I, on the other hand, was not. He was still alive, so that's good.

We made it with our breakfast into the playplace area. It was 10 am. Robert climbs to the top and immediately yells, "Gross!" After the chalk-line passed out man out front, I could only imagine what could be at the top waiting for me. It was only an ice cream cone. An ice cream cone. It was 10am. I'm not sure if I was glad it was a half-eaten ice cream cone or not.

In case you haven't kept up with the Toy Story movies, let me pause here. In the third movie, one of my favorite parts is when the toys try to change Buzz Lightyear back from demo mode but instead switch Buzz to Spanish mode.

Several kids had come in to play, and you know what I hear Robert say?

"It's like Spanish mode in here!"

He said it at least 5 times. My husband thinks this is hilarious. Secretly I hope the rest of the people don't speak ANY English. Then I see the ambulance. That's right, to come fetch chalk-line man.

We head back to the shop, thinking surely the car is done. It's not. And it's not. And still not.. Now it's getting close to lunch. There is no way I'm heading back to chalk-line Spanish mode McD's. I just don't have it in me. And that's how the day turned into, "The day we ate lunch from the vending machine."

I'm glad I could give my kids this experience at such an early age. I'm thinking it will help keep them well-rounded.




And yes, Zoe has a Oreo in one hand and cheeto in her mouth. That's 2 different colors. Surely that counts for something.