I'm Lovin' It!

It’s been a wintry couple of weeks in Colorado.  We’re spoiled with a winter that usually comes in spurts;  two or three days of cold, then warm temperatures return to melt the snow, and  the cycle starts all over again.  So it was no surprise that after fourteen whole days of winter (feel free to roll your eyes if you live in the Midwest), I had to break down and take the boys to the McDonald’s Playland to burn some excess energy.  We had started the day at church for a MOPS leadership meeting.  I sensed the boys’ energy levels were approaching that of a nuclear bomb, and encouraged them to run a few laps in the very large entryway.  The thought of returning home with these ticking time-bombs….and the knowledge that it’s Shamrock Shake season made my decision a no-brainer.  I decided to turn my lemons into lemonade.  

Walking into the playland brought a big smile to my face….I was not alone.  There were about eight other mommies with the same idea, and it was no surprise to find that every single child in the playland was a boy.  Only a desperate person would take their children to a fast food play area during peak cold and flu season, and mothers of boys tend to be desperate.  I didn’t care if my children ended up vomiting or contracting pink eye.  The incubation period for disease is at least 24 hours.  I needed to get through the day I was in!  (And the thought of sick, lethargic children didn’t sound so bad either!)  So we settled into a good, long play, taking a break to eat some cheeseburgers, fries and Shamrock Shakes.  I exchanged knowing glances with a few other moms as we collectively exhaled.  Never one to consider any fast food restaurant a desirable hang-out, I found myself relaxing like I was at the spa.  I chatted on the phone with a girlfriend, texted with my brother, spent a little time on Facebook.  Then I rounded up the troops and headed home.  They were exhausted and happy.  I was relaxed and happy.  Maybe I need to throw caution and nutrition to the wind more often!