dinner theater

Eating dinner as a family is very important to this circus act. Lately it seems to be more of a challenge to have us all sitting together at the table for dinner as the kids are getting older and branching out into various sports, cheer, dance, band, youth group events, school obligations and a job. Factor in Bill’s hobby, er, new career path as a realtor with evening office hours twice a week and my wacky day/night/night day schedule and it is a wonder that we ever get to break bread together. But we do manage. It’s just another part of the juggling act. It’s important to us all. It’s a chance to all be together as a family.
The kids tell me it is way better to dine together than say a family shopping excursion to Walmart. Come to think of it, the seven of, together with one shopping cart walking up and down every single aisle at Wally-world does sound like fun! But not nearly as much fun as the time we spend together at that big oak table. So eating dinner as a family is very important to us all.
With seven sitting around the table it is not your usual fine dining experience. The conversations are not the kind of stuff you might overhear in fine dining establishments and perhaps, not at the average American dinner table. Take last night’s exchange between Holly, Bill and myself over shrimp and beef stir-fry:
Bill- I don’t think any of the kids noticed. (referring to his new glasses)
Me- No they haven’t. I’m surprised.
Holly- Noticed what?
Bill- You don’t see it?
Holly- No, what?
Bill- (looking at me) She doesn’t see it.
Holly- Da-ad! Just tell me! What?
Bill- I got my left nipple pierced.
Everyone laughs and Holly just about chokes. When she does regain a little composure, she looks up at Bill and starts to giggle.
Bill- (to Holly) You looked.
Holly- (still giggling so hard she can’t speak)
Bill- You were checking out my man-boob.
More laughter and poor Holly is practically convulsing trying to suppress an uncontrolled giggle fit.
Bill- (as he reaches over to hug Holly) Aren’t you glad you made it to dinner tonight?
It’s always a memorable and entertaining experience to dine under the Big Top.