Today is the work xmas party. Should be interesting! We are dropping the Beanie off with my sister so that we can actually eat tonight. Last year I had to get a subpar pasta dish to share with the Bean, who didn't eat it and only wanted to blow out the candles on the table. And I watched everyone else eating a ribeye that was to die for. So, I'm looking forward to it! We rarely go out without our daughter, and we never go to fancy restaurants. I don't mind too much, because we go to very high-quality restaurants, and not so often are we at a chain, but it would be nice to go to someplace really special sometime.

On my list of "special" in my town:
the Waterboy (I've had this restaurant's catered fare, but have never eaten there.) Mulvaney's (such great reviews of fancy foodies)
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Jamie's (the secret fancy bbq place in town)

where I like to go with the Beanie:
Pho Bac Hoa Viet (vietnamese yums)
Rosalinda's (mexican yums)
Stagecoach (american yums)
Edokko and Banzai (Japanese yums)
New Station (Chinese yums)

Pretty much all of these places allow me to feed my toddler off my plate and do not freak out if she suddenly decides to race around (not that PF would ever let her, he's more of the type to take her outside and wander around so that I can eat. Although we often take turns) or squeal. I am uncomfortable anywhere she can't squeal. If I get one look from another customer or a server, I get all defensive and cranky. And then I don't enjoy anything, end of story.

I'm getting more and more comfortable with the idea of babysitters beyond my dear friend and my sister, but I don't think I make enough money to splurge on a date night that includes a paid babysitter. Back when I babysat for extra cash, I charged 6.00/hr and 2 bucks extra per extra kid. A four hour night would cost you an extra $24 bucks. Add that to a $120 dinner bill. or even a cheap dinner and a movie could run you 50-80. Honestly, taco bell and a movie plus a babysitter will be $50.

If we do it and drive out to my sister's, we spend $10 in gas, save about $14 in babysitters, but we'd have to see movies out in the burbs or dinner at some chain. Forget trying to see a play, tickets at the B Street Theater start around 18 bucks each, and the community center and music circus are totally outta my league right now.

So, we get a LOT of netflix and eat take out, make dinner, or go to restaurants that are kid friendly. Are we totally common? Are we average parents? Does the fact that we eat a lot of ethnic food and rent Herzog films make any difference, or are we just part of the cultural wasteland?