The Preschooler

Lola’s Diner

It’s lunchtime, and there are four hungry children who were, just moments ago, playing blissfully outside and are now invading the quiet stillness of the house.  How do you simmer the cries of, “Mom, we’re hungry!” and “Miss Laura, what are we having for lunch?”  Easy.  You turn the eating area into a diner.

I scrambled to create a makeshift menu that was comprised of nothing more than turkey sandwiches, turkey roll-ups and various condiments from which to choose.  Of course, the menu also had a beverages section.

The children were seated at the first available table (which also happened to the only table at which four small children could sit).  “Hello, and welcome to Lola’s Diner.  Will this table be okay?”  The cries of hunger pains turned into shrieks of filled-to-the-brim excitement.

Using a fancy metal tray, I approached the table as their waitress and took their drink orders.  I filled the orders and listened as they spouted off their lunch choices.  After reading back the order, I quickly went to work as the chef.

When the meal was over, they were happy not to have to clear their dishes and were arguing over who got to pay the bill.  Lola’s Diner had been a success.  The children returned to playing outside with tummies full and ready to take on new adventures. My roles as hostess, waitress, and chef were now over, and it was back to being Mom and Miss Laura, roles to which I was glad to return.

Note: “Lola” is what my best friend’s younger daughter used to call me instead of Laura.  She now calls me that just because she knows I love it!

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Written by Laura on November 16, 2011