Dining Out

Dining out with two babies takes more than just a little planning. You don't want cranky babies, so leaving after a nap is a must. But that also means that you are going to have two energy loaded kids to keep occupied for about an hour. Waiting to be seated is not an option. It's just not realistic to expect babies to behave properly for too long of a period. So it may seem like an odd choice, but early dinners at Longhorn Steakhouse has been our go-to dining experience. Longhorn doesn't usually come to mind when thinking kid friendly. But they have one distinct advantage over every other restaurant. They have call ahead seating. So we can be sure to get seated soon after arriving, thus increasing our odds for an enjoyable evening out.

What are the dining out essentials in our diaper bag?

1. Sippy Straps - These simple little strips of cloth have been my savior. They attach to car seats, strollers, high chairs, pretty much anything you can think of and have saved us from picking up sippy cups as the boys' entertainment while out and about.

2. Scotch Tape - When one of the aforementioned Sippy Pals broke during our trip to Georgia, I bought a role of scotch tape to rig it until we got home. I then ordered more Sippy Pals, but I have kept the tape in my diaper bag and it has come in handy on more than one occasion.

3. Adhesive Placemats - They stick to the table so the babies have a clean surface to eat off of without the need to constantly keep them from throwing their plates on the floor.

4. Small Broom and Dust Pan - Yes, you read that right. I carry a small, flat broom and dust pan in my diaper bag. My mom bought it for me when I was on my hands and knees picking up after my monsters and wishing they made something exactly like what she found to help me. You see, I don't believe it is the restaurant's responsibility to clean up after my kids.

5. Toys - Although I honestly don't know why I bother with these. They NEVER want to play with any of them for more than a minute before they start throwing them on the floor.

6. Juice and Snacks - It has always seemed ironic to me that we can't go to a restaurant without food and beverage for our kids. Which almost always means that they are full and hardly touch the food that I have ordered for them. But, it is the one thing that can keep their attention to some degree so we aren't bothering everyone else in the restaurant.

7. Extra Clothes, Diapers and Wipes - No explanation needed here... Our odds of a failed diaper greatly increase just by leaving the house.

8. Nail Clippers - Odd? Of course it is. But I always seem to really notice how badly their nails need to be cut while we are out and about. I transferred the nail clippers to the diaper bag a long time ago so that I'd have them when I noticed.

9. Tiny Trash Bags - Used diapers, wet clothes, food messes, etc. These little trash bags are so handy to have.

I'm sure I have missed some things and I am too lazy to go look in my diaper bag to see what they are. You'll just have to take my word for it that I have done my best to cover all our bases.