Polka Dot Diner

June's really into baking and playing restaurant. Especially after her nana and pops got her a pizza chef set for her birthday. She also likes to peruse through her little cook books like it's reading material. Who knows if this interest will last a lifetime but either way, she's into it now. 

So one day she was begging me to do a "real restaurant" and I decided to make it into a whole thing for her to experience and learn from. So we picked a day a week away from that and started making preparations.  

For that week we did something each day to prepare. Made a menu list, sent a video invite to family, made a grocery list, shopped, and I had her paint some signs and a menu.

She named it "Polka Dot Diner" and it was a wild success. And yes, she charged money. ;) But June truly worked hard. She helped make the stuff ahead of time like I mentioned and she helped me carry the tables to the yard and set everything up. Then we decorated the cupcakes and baked the pizza crusts so that we would be ready.

In my mind, the adult version of hers, we could have gone all out with all sorts of decorations and details but I wanted to let this be hers and keep it simple and true to her age. And this is what that looks like:

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 (I'm... a little concerned about her model pose..)

Drinks: Water, grape juice, and banana vanilla smoothie

Appetizer: Sour dough (something she invented once- a grape baked in dough. HA)

Dinner: Pizza, noodles, or an "art sandwich"

Sides: grapes, watermelon, carrots

Dessert: Chocolate ice cream, Mickey Cupcake

(She picked out all of these things by herself)

Side story about the "mickey cupcakes"- When she said that one I asked what those were and she said, "I will show you," pulls out the iPad, opens up a video tutorial on making mickey mouse cupcakes and then after we watched it she said, "SEE?" (its from a Mickey mouse app, I don't let her roam free on youtube...) ;) 

And anyway, once things started June would seat everyone. Then rush back in to get their drinks. Then take their orders. Then we would rush in and prepare each plate. She really worked hard and helped with every dish and brought it all out, with help, of course. But she did it all. We would clear the tables and throw away the paper dishes in the trash. “Whew!” She exclaimed in an upbeat tone, “Having a restaurant is hard work!” And also, “Being a baker is hard work! But I love it and I want to be a baker when I grow up!”

First Adrian and Elora showed up. Then Jade and Curtis came and then Ben and Lauren and last was Nana and Pops. It ended up being the perfect flow and we were able to keep up with everyone's orders.

The Mickey Mouse cupcake! :)

And THIS is an "art sandwich," something she saw once on a show and now I never know when I leave the room if I will come back out in and find the supplies for this everywhere and June happily making one.

"This strawberry is JUST the way Ben likes it!"

The real highlight for her was taking people their bills and coming back in with a fist full of cash. She was jumping with joy. Should I be worried about that? Haha

She also helped clean up and even wash dishes. I made sure to cover each part of having a restaurant. Tomorrow we will go over her money and she will have to pay for some food (although I wont make her pay the real amount...) and to pay her workers (mom and dad haha just like $1 each) and of course her tithing! :) Don't worry, she made about $45! More work than a lemonade stand but also a better pay off.

Afterwards I was letting the girls play and relax in the yard while we cleaned up some “grown up stuff.” Then I hear June wailing and sobbing as she sits, stuck in the baby swing. I go to her and she says, “You guys were going to leave me here ALL NIGHT!” to which I replied, “Why on earth would I ever want to do that to you?!” and she said, “Because you want to go in there and have your own life and STEAL MY MONEY!” She was serious but I couldn't help but laugh! First day making money and she already thinks that's all anyone is out for. 

I'll admit, after the whole thing I felt like a good mom. I let her imagine and create. Work hard and learn. I want to teach her that anything is possible if you're willing to put in the work. And that there is always room in our family to try new ideas and explore interests. 

But MAN, it was exhausting. I am not sure how I can keep it up through the years and with each kid! haha! I feel like this should last for a good year right? But already she is already asking to do other new ventures. And to have a restaurant every week. ;) 

. . . . 

We'll just have to see about that! ;)