We have a family Valentine ritual. The girls go to dinner and a dance with their Dad. I take the boys to dinner. The dance reviews were good this year. (In years past, it tended to overwhelm.) And the boy dinner did not disappoint. Honestly, the dreaminess of the night was almost formulaic:
1. Throw quasi-fancy clothes on everyone. Maybe even a clip tie on a toddler.
2. Go to dinner so early that you are the only ones there.
3. Go somewhere that has (paper) white table cloths.
4. Add crayons for color.
4. Add crayons for color.
5. Sit by a window that features the cold, busy city lights outside.
6. Drink a glass of wine.
6. Drink a glass of wine.
7. Stare into rows of shimmering water glasses.
8. Eat delicious crepes with lots of gruyere cheese.
9. Share a first sip of coffee with the 10-year-old.
10. Eat more crepes, this time with chocolate.
10. Eat more crepes, this time with chocolate.
Granted, this formula is often mired in whining or tantrums or clothes discomfort or some sort of desperation, so sometimes that shining water glass is just off the radar screen. But, on this night, I got lucky with my charming Valentines.
This is a napkin heart.
So, so nice. == Will's anticipation of the coffee makes me smile. :) s
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ReplyDeleteDear Alice-
ReplyDeleteI just love checking in on your writings and photographs of the family. This one especially made me smile- everyone is looking so grown up, especially Will! You make me dream of being a mom someday, because you do such a good job of it. xo