21 + 13

Ugh, I'm 34...

I remember being incredibly excited to turn 24, but 34? It's yet another number of years to which I never gave much thought.

I know I'm only a few days in, but so far 34 is about a billion times better than 24. Mostly because I have an awesome family. Who took me to an awesome brunch at the Huntley, in Santa Monica. Where we feasted on delicious pancakes and sipped some serious greyhounds. Yes, you indeed can still drink alcohol in the morning as a parent!

With such an amazing breakfast in our tummies, we skipped lunch. Walked around, hung out while Parker napped, and headed into West Hollywood for dinner at Red O. Yes, with our son. I know we probably should invest a little bit more in a babysitter, but I don't think it's worth it. Parker's an incredibly well-behaved child, even at nice restaurants. In fact, he's probably even more well behaved at these establishments because the wait staff knows how to keep him happy. For example, upon arriving at our table at Red O, our waiter immediately placed a bowl of tortillas, a plate of avocados, and a cup of water -- WITH A LID -- in front of Parker while chatting him up.

34 and Still Smiling

Perhaps parents have it all wrong. Instead of wasting money on a babysitter, take that $100 and go to an upscale restaurant where the waiters take just as good of care of your child. And even if they don't, you've applied the babysitter savings to adult beverages. If you're child is misbehaving, do you really care?

Well Parker didn't misbehave at all. In fact, he had an astronomical amount of fun just playing hide and seek behind his napkin.

The Dessert Course: Peek A Boo

Red OHHHHHHHHHH!

Jeremy, thanks for an awesome brunch at the Huntley. And for dinner at Red O. I had a fabulous day. And considering Parker woke up wearing his clothes from the night before, I would venture to guess that he had a fabulous day, too.

The Morning After

You are both the best 34th birthday present I could have ever imagined having.