I've always determined that you have to celebrate major events in life, good or bad. There is good in everything if we choose to find it. With that being said, it's a rare occasion to take my wife and kids out for a really nice dinner. Usually, the kids get a brewery or a pizza place and most of the time, I get what I expect. If I'm concerned to the point of riding my kids, then the stage has been set. From that moment on, they truly can do no right, because I've made the decision that I'm not going to let them.
Time to step out of my shell. The frozen lake was absolutely beautiful, framed by the snow covered mountains and the sun gently setting on the horizon. Shore Lodge is a landmark in McCall and to the best of my knowledge, after living my entire life in Idaho, this year is the first time I've ever eaten there. Yes, I did have my frustrations (you can't break all your habits in one night) however, my children were very well behaved. My son remembered to put his napkin on his lap, my daughter used her please and thank you (granted that was post spitting out food into her cloth napkin), but they were very good kids. In fact, I'm pretty certain that none of the other patrons of the restaurant knew that there was a 3 and 6 year old present.
Normally I would add a beer to the post at this point, and I will, but it's in a little different form. Oh yes, we celebrated, but it was with a chocolate stout cake with cream cheese frosting and a Jameson whiskey glaze, because the kids could share a little nibble too. For the record, the dessert would have been perfect with SRB, Chunder Stout in the cake. The main point here is this, the evening was different because I changed my expectations! I didn't set the evening up for failure and I gave the kids a chance. You'll be amazed what you can experience when you aren't always bound by unreal expectations.
Cheers
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| "Across the lake" a view from Shore Lodge |
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| The two most beautiful girls I know |
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