The lost art of service

Everyone knows how big of an eater Clint is so it probably comes as no surprise he is picky about where we eat based on how much he can eat for the money and how good said food will taste. Tonight he wanted prime rib and typically he only craves this when there are no good restaurants who serve it. We got lucky tonight and went early to the local Iggy's. The waitress didn't seem too phased when he balked at the tiny 10 ounce offering. Once we worked out just how big he wanted it - can you say 20 ounces? - and just how much that was going to cost us, we enjoyed a fabulous meal. At one point another patron was leaving and I saw him double-take the slab of meat and turn to his wife to say 'now that's a prime rib!' I wish I had my camera to snap a photo!! The irony is he could have eaten double that and I have seen him do it on many occasions. He was still finished before either me or Erin...with big baked potato, veggies, salad and bread, too. Seriously, he should weight 400 lbs but he doesn't and it drives me crazy to watch!

The best part of the evening was the fabulous service from our waitress - very attentive but didn't hover and interupt to ask us if everything was ok and didn't leave us wondering where she was. The measure of a good server in my book is never having to ask for something because they have already anticipated what you want and either offered or brought it to you before you think about it. So, even though my brother 'volunteers' at this same restaurant but so far not on the same nights we have been there, we will always hope to see our new favorite server, Felicia, smiling at us from the edge of our table.
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Social Butterfly

Yesterday was Erin's Parent/Teacher Conference. I know, that isn't exactly what they call it now but I am old-school and no matter how many times I hear Parent/Student/Educator Conference it will still translate to parent/teacher between my ears and my brain!

Erin is doing super-good at school and the main thing she has to improve on is being less social. The old "talk less, work more" syndrome. What I find amazing is how well she does with such little effort since if what I hear is accurate she is so busy socializing she doesn't even have time to have good handwriting. It is a bit disconcerting for me that she would rather do math problems at home than sit down with a book but I was always good at math, too. Well, that is until I met my match in Calculus and promptly dropped it my senior year. I am so proud of our good student who continues to amaze me! We love you, Erin!

Yesterday was also Grandparent's Day at school and she couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had having lunch with her three special guests. It was also enlightening for me to hear about how she flitted from one friend to another worrying about who was sad because they didn't have guests or couldn't find them. It amazes me to think she is already becoming her own person when I am not around. They grow up too fast! Thanks to Gram, Grandma and Pa for helping make yesterday memorable for Erin!
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Transformations

We are going through a time of transformation on many levels... The most obvious is the weather slowly coming out of the dismal throws of winter and trying hard to make it to spring. Of course, in Utah that means it is warm for a week and then it snows again for a couple of months before it really becomes steadily warm - and by then it is summer! There are buds on the trees and people are emerging from their houses again - no more winter hibernation!

We are transforming the interior of the house - a small metamorphosis with a large impact to Erin. Up until Christmas she had an entire wing of the house - bedroom, play room next door and her bathroom. Now, Daddy has taken over the playroom and is transforming it into a combo office/art studio. We have an office - fully furnished with bookshelves and cumbersome desk - but it is in the annals of the basement in the room now slotted to become the "home theater" room. When we got the much-anticipated and much-needed new computer for Christmas, we decided we couldn't bring ourselves to put it in the crappy office with hand-me down furniture. So, we also got a new and sleek desk to go with it and tucked it away in a corner of the playroom. The thought being the space could double as a homework/office/play room. Now, the toys have been relegated to the basement and Erin's work table has very little room for homework because it is storing as-yet painted on canvas' and paints. Clint has always had a talent for art but has fully embraced it as his most current passion. I can't wait to hang original artwork in the house and be able to tout that "my husband painted it".

I have transformed into a knitter - much to the delight of my brother who gets to tease me about being old! I admit, I made fun of the knitters at work and while my Mom and Gram have always been knitters I snubbed my nose. However, I thought it looked fascinating and I had a co-worker show me which then created a knitting frenzy. At this point, I have mastered scarves and hats - although I make more things for Erin than she can possibly wear at the same time. I have done one thing for me and it is a fabulous scarf. Erin loves her rainbow yarn - that she got to pick out - scarf and hat.

This was supposed to be MY hat but I guessed a little bit wrong on the size and it fits Erin much better. I'm just glad I did a "practice" hat before knitting it for Clint who is getting a new beanie next.

Erin is growing and growing and transforming into a big girl more each day. She has now lost 3 teeth - the last one just a few weeks ago.

As she grows older, I transform into a taxi driver shuttling her to and from the dance studio twice a week and girl scouts twice a month. She loves being involved in both and I love to see her happy even though I find myself wishing for the days of her just being content to hang out in her playpen at home so I could do whatever I wanted instead of what I need to do.

Even Sasha is transforming into not such a naughty dog and gets to spend more time in the house more often.

Next up - the yard will be transformed (we hope!) into a vegetable garden. It will be our first official attempt and we are hoping for the best.