Belated Birthdays

My parents, my sister, and my mother's puppy dog, who proved yet again to be patient beyond his years, came up to our house for the Thanksgiving Holiday this year, towing a mobile buffet behind.

Once everything was unloaded, our first order of business involved a belated birthday dinner celebration for Heather and me. We chose our favorite German restaurant known for live entertainment provided by an ornery accordion player, but tonight it seemed that Justin stole the show. He vigorously scarfed down scavenged food from everyone's plates including a shocking variety of breads and pretzels, cold beets, tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans. We didn't know he could eat so much food, but that wasn't the main attraction.

Justin's handsome good looks caught the eye of the waitress, who attempted to entertain him, only to be told "You're ugly." Our jaws dropped in horror as she playfully asked him, "What did you say?", which only prompted him to repeat his statement with more inflection and an sly grin. She took it in stride and tickled him, which only produced more adamant cries of "You're ugly", and convinced me I would need a stronger beer this evening.

Justin enjoyed a progressive dinner, rambling from plate to plate, enjoying a carefree stroll around the restaurant, straying into and out of the way of the busy waitstaff. He flirted each time our waitress returned and ended up following her like a puppy dog to all her tables as she worked and eventually made himself useful by bringing the check, much to Grandpa's dismay.

Norah was very well behaved through all of this, ate moderately, and avoided insulting total strangers. So we have that going for us.