Two Hours at Chik Fil A

Today was a special day for my daughter, McKenna, my mom and me. We were blessed with a visit from my niece and her two sons, Brody and Barrett. McKenna immediately fell in love with Staci, and after a few minutes of encouraging Brody to play with McKenna, she fell in love with him. We visited at my mom's house for a few minutes, then decided to go to Chik Fil A to eat. We let the kids go play inside the play area as soon as we arrived there because it was easier to order our food without them tugging at us trying to pull us to the playroom. We chose the table adjacent to the playroom door, and sat down with our food, chowing down and conversing as we kept a watchful eye on the three kids.....yes, little Barrett went right along with McKenna and Brody.

I had begun preparing my salad for my consumption, when I notice Barrett was nearing the top of the playroom climbing gym. I excused myself from the table (my daughter was the only one seated at the time.....Staci and Mother were still ordering) and hurried into the room to check with Brody to make sure Barrett was used to climbing up that high.....it is at least eight feet high. Brody told me he was okay, so I just stood there watching him climb up a step, then scoot back down on the step he had just come up from....he did this several times, seeming to be unsure of himself. McKenna scurried by him, and he decided to go on up to the top. There is netting all around the top of the gym so the kids don't fall. I think Barrett was looking at the table where he had left his mom before she left to order her food, and he realized she wasn't there, and he began crying. I decided he probably needed her, so I ran out of the room to the counter where Staci stood, and told her I thought he needed her because he was crying. She ran to check on him, and climbed up and brought him down. He didn't seem to mind. By this time, Staci and Mother had their food, so we sat down and kept a watchful eye on McKenna and Brody.

The two of them were having a ball, chasing each other around the room, falling on the floor, sliding down the slide and screaming out loud.....we only heard muffled screams because that room is fairly soundproof. In walked four little kids that were older and were playing really roughly, so Ginger and Staci got their kids and encouraged them to eat while those kids played. After about ten minutes, they sat down to eat, and Ginger and Staci allowed McKenna and Brody to resume their play. They were happy again and were having so much fun when another little boy, accompanied by his mom, entered the room, and McKenna lost her new playmate.....Brody and this new little boy were instant friends. McKenna stood around a lot, sucking on her thumb as she observed the boys falling on each other, rolling on the ground, then shooting up the steps to the top, then zooming down the slide. They were going so fast, they looked like a blur most of the time. McKenna would get tickled once in a while, and then try to join in. Soon, another little girl and her sister, around 12 came and the two of them joined in the fun. The older girl made sure to include McKenna and soon they all seemed to be enjoying each other. We certainly were enjoying watching all of this!

We all chatted about the kids, movies, Number One Son, and adoption. Time just flew by. Before we knew it, two hours had passed. I couldn't believe we had been there that long.....and I sure couldn't believe the kids had played so much! I had to leave to pick up Number Two Son, so we said our goodbyes and told them we would see them after a while at Mother's. Ginger and I talked about how much we had enjoyed our visit, and Ginger said she wished Staci lived in the same town so we could do this more often. I said I agreed.

At Mother's, McKenna and Brody played with cars and tennis balls, while Barrett sat stoically in his momma's lap (he had just awaken from his nap and was still groggy). McKenna wanted Brody to go with her in the living room, and Brody was resisting, so McKenna put her arms around Brody to hug him, and they fell off balance and onto each other on the floor. This was so cute. Barrett finally came alive, and brought over a book for me to look at with him.....a book of animals....his mom had just read it to him, but it must be his favorite, because he wanted to hear it again. After another hour, McKenna started crying more than normal, so we told them we better go home.....we would see them tomorrow.

It was a wonderful day. I know Mother is enjoying them as much or more than we did. I am thankful that we live close enough that she can bring the kids every once in a while....and I know Ginger is glad, too. Thanks, Staci, Mother, Barrett and Brody for a fun day!