Picnic Baskets, Chipmunks and Barack Obama...

I was out having lunch with my Mom the other day, and we were sitting near a mother of 3 with her kids and her gal pal. It was a Saturday, so lunch and shopping with the girls is a big To Do on the weekend check list for a lot of people. Anyway, I was very impressed with this woman. She was able to carry a conversation with her friend while handing off coloring books, stuffed animals and a video game to each kid. I'm always blown away at how Moms can do that! It was time for them to order and she ordered for herself, but not for the kids. She had packed meals for all of her children (Super Mom Alert). Now, this place had a kids menu, so it wasn't like the kids wouldn't have anything to eat. The server was totally cool with it and they went on to have a great meal.

Here's what I'm thinking. If a group of six adults were having lunch at a restaurant and 3 of them were ordering but the other 3 brought a picnic basket would they let them stay there? If they say no to the adults, but yes to the kids, is that age discrimination? What if their Mom's packed the picnic basket? I'm not saying that people should walk into Mr. Chow with take-out Panda Express. Plus, to me the issue is not about saving money. What if you want to hang out with your friends, but can't or don't want to eat anything at the restaurant. Like a vegetarian at a steakhouse. I have a veggie friend who would sneak tofu in her purse because she couldn't eat anything on the menu. Yes there are salads, but vegetarians need their protein too, and No seafood doesn't count either (seems obvious I know, but people would suggest the fish dishes to her all the time.) Now, I know there's a MAJOR difference between 3 grown adults bringing a picnic basket and a Mom feeding her baby carrots from a jar...It was just a funny thought:)

As I was thinking about this, I started thinking about theme parks. I know, randoms. Maybe it's 'cause my little cousin is really excited about his trip next month to Disneyland and his Mom and I were talking about it at a family get together the other day (see, I mentioned Moms again..there's the connection!) I recently visited Mickey's House and I do love going there, but it's pricey. Luckily I have a friend that works there...

...and he can get me and a couple of pals in on the house (it's great when we have out of town visitors), but what about a whole family coming in from out of town? I recently met a woman that said she couldn't take her kids to Disneyworld anymore because it's just too expensive. Bummers. And what about people who don't really like going on rides? I love going to Disneyland and Six Flags over My Hammy and all that good stuff, but I'm not a huge roller coaster person. Wait...I take that back. I'm NOT a roller coaster person at all (I'm more of a Small World, E.T. Adventure kinda gal.) I'm a bit freaked out when it comes to heights. It probably has something to do with the time I fell out of a hot air balloon as a kid (okay that didn't really happen, but it's much better than my glass elevator story.) I think Theme parks are really fun, and there are a lot of things to do other than roller coasters...but if someone's not riding all the crazy rides, then why should they pay full price? I mean, I'm not even sure if I'm tall enough to ride on these rides. People like me, Alvin and the rest of the chipmunks should get a special pass or something:)

(ps: I used to LOVE the Chipmunks when I was a kid. I had all of their toys and cassette tapes...yes cassette tapes. This is one of my fave videos that they did)

(okay I'm back...)And again, what about those families that have to pay for Mom, Dad, the kids...wowsers! Plus, Mom AND Dad can't ride on the rides all the time (someone has to hold the Churros), they should be able to split their tickets. Just another random thought (Whew, I kinda feel like Cher right now)

If I could talk to Barack Obama right now I'd ask him to look over these things. I know he'll have a lot of things to take care of like the Economy, and re-decorating the White House and all, but when he's President, these are little things he can take care of fairly quickly and he'll for sure gain major creds for the theme park thingy. So Mr. Future President Obama help us out here and thank you in advance for all that you're going to do.
ps: I LOVED you as Nate in Stomp the Yard and Tom Dilton in Mo Money;)