Children's Groups, the Pleasures of Dining Out with a Toddler, and Other Musings

Good Day Pleasanton Peeps,

How are you on this glorious morning? You know it makes such a difference to one’s life waking up to a dappled shade across the kitchen counter top. It makes one feel like flinging pancakes about and chanting back at all the spring birds that’ve been up since the crack of dawn. 

Speaking of, we have a Mama Anna’s Hummingbird nesting on our Camellia bush, so tiny in fact that it was only due to her dive-bombing at the cats that my hubby discovered her nest. 

I will be spending the next 16 days spying on the little dollar coin-sized nest and cannot wait to see the two babies as they peck their way out of their 5mm long eggs. You have to see them to believe it – I have massive fingers too so don’t be fooled into thinking I have dainty little digits (a trait passed down from coal miner relatives no doubt). 

Back to nature and bliss; however Pleasanton raccoons seem to be slightly larger than average, and do not respond to girly screams whilst crossing one’s legs in a squat position on the garden chair, or men shouting “Oy bugger off!” but seem to be somewhat responsive to the odd blast from the water hose.  

I think they ate my sole strawberry too! These are as hardy as the SF street gangs, hovering around in darkened corners waiting to pounce. It’s that little face mask that gets me every time though! It lulls you in to a false sense of security.  I’m leaving raccoon eradication to the man of the house. Ask no questions.

I was going to see if I could get my toddler into a class that would utilize this gorgeous weather but my small chore turned into somewhat of a marathon task.  It is all about waiting patiently for the activities guide to arrive in your mail box. 

Do not even try to call anyone and ask them anything about classes until you have the holy grail of ‘things to get the kids from under the feet for a few days in the summer’ booklet stashed safely in one’s nappy bag. Do you need to be in some super Mum’s group to get a class? I hoping for tips on getting my kid into in Amador Park, but even though you couldn’t log on until the 1st of May.  The activities guide states that all the summer camps there are FULL!  How can that be?  If I do not get a manicure for another 12 months I think my fingers will rot off! Just saying, Mama needs a bit of girly time.

Mother’s groups;  I was pondering this the other day, and decided, what if I can get any response from Mum-type questions on my blog? Then I may back off from the idea of joining a group for a while. With my British accent, it is easy to meet people, especially Pleasantonians (as you are such a happy and friendly bunch). It’s fantastic having a conversation with adult human beings as there is only so much Peppa Pig and Elmo one can stand in a day.

Is anyone out there in a group?  If so which one, as I see there are two main ones in this area?  What are the perks?  Oh and does anyone know anyone who has access to piglets or pigs? Is there a farm apart from Tilden Park close by?

As I don’t get out for dinner too much, when I do it’s got to be special, a treat. is not exactly high end dining, but the one in Pleasanton has seen my patronage a few times of late, and it made me smile like one of their cheese burgers (did you know the cheese burgers are served with the intention that the cheese looks like a happy face?). 

The fact it’s not a 15 mile drive away is obviously a crowd pleaser. If you’ve ever lived in SF, you’ll know the only time one gets an In N Out treat is if there’s a Tahoe trip involved, one wants to fight the tourists in Fisherman’s Wharf or you team it up with a Target trip to South City. So thanks for being on my doorstep, and thanks for making me crispy fries on request!

My mother came to visit and took my daughter and me out to the old part of town. Every time I drive down there, I am searching for a full, bustling restaurant to give me some indication if its popularity. Due to me being on toddler time, it’s not really a perfect indication and I decided to wing it after passing so many times. The sole reason that I chose this place is that I was intrigued about the name, so on Monday, we decided to give it a try.

My first impression was ‘cool, retro, old school diner glam.’  

The waiter was great initially. I feel bad giving a poor review as I wanted to like this place so much. The patio in particular had caught my attention as there is a dedicated gardener, with some fantastic annuals on display; however I cannot say anything else too positive. 

I asked what food was made from scratch — my kid’s lucky if she gets a cookie, so I don’t do canned. The answer was “Everything.” Hum hum. I think not! Let’s just say if I wanted a rushed, part microwaved meal using boxed spaghetti, I would have stayed home and got my husband to cook. It’s such a shame. I have not read any Yelp write ups because I did not want to influence anything I write here.

My mom only got soup and salad — the soup was microwaved with cabbage slopped all over the side of the bowl and had dripped onto the plate thus mixing into the salad. Need I say more? Why I did not complain I don’t know, and I feel a little bad getting it off my chest here. (Well, being a Brit may have something to do with not complaining - we’re stereotyped at being silent whingers).

To top it off I asked for a highchair, and there wasn’t one (I don’t know if that means there isn’t one full stop, or the ones they had were in use), I was told I’d get a booster seat. It never came and I could not catch the waiter’s eye to ask again. I think he was also working the outside section as he was nowhere to be found. I had to sit with a 21-month-old wriggler while I ate spaghetti and fed her spaghetti.  Even if the food would have been the best, the lack of baby restraining device was a total bummer, and due to that I will not be returning back on date night to drink copious amounts of beer on the patio. 

GLOSSARY

peeps = people

bugger off = go away

wing it = enter into something blind

whingers = whiners

Full stop = period