Before our “Backstreet Boys” hit the road again, they thanked us for opening our home and gave us a couple of gift cards to indulge in a date night. (How thoughtful!) Approximately 24 hours later, we were on our way!
First, we strapped Bennett into his new car seat (gone are the days of the portable car seat that pops into its own stroller). (And thanks again, Lucy and Bree!) I gotta tell ya, these things are not complicated to install, but the instruction manual would suggest otherwise. Both Brian and I spent, oh I don’t know, 100 hours trying to make sense of it before I just toted the new car seat out to the car, used my eyeballs and figured it out. Having the strength to tighten and secure it, however, proved to be awfully challenging! Ultimately, in order to press the car seat down enough to pull the belt taut, I ended up sitting in it myself like a woman-child, legs draping over either side, looking utterly ridiculous as I struggled with the strap. But the babe is safe and that’s worth a momentary loss of dignity.
Bennett’s face is blurred in this pic as he’s flailing his arms with overflowing delight:
Brian and I opted for seafood on our date; him, a shrimp and scallop scampi, me, some mahi mahi. We both enjoyed our 
waiter’s down-to-earth personality, too. (When we have bad waiters, it results in inside jokes, which result in strange wall art like this.) ANNNND, oh yeah, while we’re on the food subject, I meant to brag about this after Labor Day: Ol’ Benny Boo had his first taste of masago at Otani! Yep, Brian and I went to their delicious lunch buffet and while we were there, I skimmed those bright orange, tiny fish eggs off the tops of my sushi and onto some avocado pieces. Like a baby bird, Bennett kept opening his mouth with eager expectation, practically begging for more. This kid rocks.
We be fancy. Recognize.
One cool thing I found out when my oldest was little is that the local fire stations will install your car seats for free!! I took mine there and was in and out in 10 min. š
Had I realized the struggle I’d have, perhaps I’d have done that, too.
I want a picture of you in the carseat!!!! Love Bennett’s eclectic tastes in food. Going to be a
gourmet š
If Brian hadn’t been busy loading the dishwasher, I’d have totally had him take a picture!
That’s a great picture of Brian across the table there. Handsome. Hey, I got you to thank for my love of sushi. Word. š