Sneaking Out to the Fair

I got the opportunity to sneak out to the state fair with the kids today with my free tickets from the local country station. Normally I buy a poppy pack (4 tickets, 4 monorail tickets, and a parking pass for $40) and I usually go several times but since we're in the middle of moving it didn't seem very bright to spend money on tickets that I wasn't sure if I'd be able to use. I was happy however, that Cliff and I found a way to make my free tickets work for me and that I was able to enjoy the fair as much as I normally do. 

Our plan, was for me to take all the kids in the morning (okay, afternoon, it doesn't open until 12 anyway), have Kim pick up the boys from the fair (probably around 4:30), then for Cliff to pick up Evelyn after work (around 5:30), and for me to be able to see whatever else I may not have been able to with the kids in tow. 

Our plan, was pretty much perfect. All the kids slept in, Isaac until just before 10am, so we had a light breakfast (or in Isaac's case-not eat at all), I packed lunch, and we headed to the fair. Parking was crazy, but I got really lucky and found a nice spot, not too far away pretty easily. And, I didn't have to try to parallel park, I was able to just pull in!

It was the perfect day to be at the fair. Not too busy, not too hot, and a nice breeze rolling through. This years attraction was 'big bugs'. Ick! The boys like it. I thought it was gross and Evelyn was a little scared. Really lifelike, very large, very ugly bugs. And also, some real creepy crawlies like scorpions and tarantulas. 

The kids and I went to camp Smokey first and each of the kids earned a Smokey the Bear Bandanna after we finished all the school houses. It was nice getting to do it this year when it wasn't so super crowded like last year. 

We headed over to the baby animals but the attraction was closed for the day. Boo. They had a farm life kids activity area set up where you could 'clean' a pen of animals, saddle a horse, play music, dress up like a cowboy, ride in tractor races, and milk a cow. All toys of course, but it kept all the kids entertained for a decent amount of time. We also went through the farm and looked at the big cows and silly goats, but it just wasn't as interesting or fun as the babies so we moved onto the garden to get all of our stamps there. They made it much smaller this year, but they put in some new plants like rice. It's always fun to show kids what their food looks like as a plant when they wouldn't have recognized it at all.  

My sunflowers weren't nearly as impressive this year, but I still love them so I took a quick photo as the kids ran though.

Oh my goodness, Evelyn wanted to touch every waterfall she saw, and of course, non of them are touchable. That girl is obsessed. Even the little water flow at the top of the touchable fish area she was obsessed over. When she saw her brothers touch the sturgeon she wanted to touch one too... that is, until it swam right at her. Then she was all done with the fish tanks. 

In the counties exhibits they had a mini f-16 that the kids were able to sit in. Evelyn just had to sit with Alex. 

When the boys went home Evelyn and I headed to one of my favorite areas to look in the buildings. The attraction this year was Golden Fairs and Rock-U. I was not a fan. As for the photography it fell flat this year, very little actually intrigued me. The cheese sample was good like always, but the bee people were very busy so I just skipped it. I took Evelyn into Fur and Feathers so she could see the bunnies and we found out we got to pet chinchillas! She did great and they were so soft, I couldn't believe it!

Since I had one ticket left I conned Cliff to join me at the fair so he could get fresh funnel cake. He chose instead an ice cream cone and then we got two ears of BBQ corn and a large lemonade. We did pass the deep fried butter and I think just seeing that sign grossed me out enough that I wanted nothing to do with anything else deep fried. Plus, Alex and I had earlier split a nutella banana crepe and I was pretty sweet-ed out. 

I wanted to get proof that Cliff went to the fair, even if only for an hour, but there just wasn't anywhere worth while to take a picture (and not be in the sun) so no hard proof. When we walked back to the car though Evelyn, who hadn't napped all day, was being so cute. Leaning all proper like in the front of her stroller and she was so happy when Daddy picked her a flower. 

I got my moneys worth out of my coupon book, but I don't think I'll get it next year. Finding the exact booth that takes that exact coupon was a really big pain in the butt. For example, even though there were about 5 fresh squeezed lemonade stands only one of them took a coupon, and there's dozens of BBQ corn stands but again, only 1 took a coupon. The stands had names and numbers that were supposed to help you, but it was so obscure it didn't help me at all. Most the coupons I was able to use were just pure luck that I found the right place. 

All in all, I normally spend 40 (or more) dollars just to get into the fair every year when I buy my Poppy Pack. Then I always get a fried food and sweet treat (another $6-$8 each). This year my tickets were free and I chose to walk in place of paying for parking. I got more food than I normally do but I still kept it under $40. It's like I went to the fair and had all that fun, entirely for free.

Too Young to Notice

I went to PF Changs tonight for the first time in my adult life. I had delicious food, great company, mediocre service, and a TERRIBLE experience. And, it had nothing to do with how busy the place was. The waitress was a bare minimum waitress. I can get over that since they were busy although I would of preferred that she at least acknowledge how busy they were, or maybe apologize for never being around, but some people just aren't like that and it's okay.

What bothered me was how I felt Evelyn wasn't welcome. We told them when we made reservations, that there were 4 adults and 1 child, and they gave us a highchair even though we didn't request it (she's used to sitting in big person seats) and yet they didn't provide silverware or a menu for her (I thought at the time they didn't have kids menus, but a quick check online reveals that they do indeed have a children's menu). When the waitress got our drink orders she didn't even ask if Evelyn needed something to drink as well (plus, she seemed put off that three of us were drinking water).  

We ordered, 4 soups, 2 appetizers,  6 entrees, and dessert. The waitress brought us plates for appetizers, but didn't bring 1 for Evelyn, I had to use one of the soup plates so Evelyn could have some food as well. And, she didn't make our sauce so I tried to figure it out even though I've never had it before. 

She came and cleared all our plates (now seeing that Evelyn is indeed eating on her own plate), then brought us dinner plates but again didn't bring one for Evelyn. I was annoyed enough this time that I asked for a plate "for my daughter"  trying to humanize my child. I didn't bring a begging dog to dinner lady, it's a toddler that wants to eat! Okay, she was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day but I'm still supposed to pay her for this service?! 

I have to give her credit: for as terrible as she was in almost EVERY aspect, she did okay on keeping our waters full. Okay. 

When dinner came out she followed it and asked us how it tasted before any of us could even get a scoop onto our plates. She was terrible!

I was curious about some of the different desserts offered with the meal we got and asked her for a dessert menu. She said she could tell me what they had so I tried to explain that I wanted to read the descriptions on the menu because I wanted to know about several items and again she insisted she could tell me all I wanted to know. I asked for a description of two desserts and chose the second one "flour-less chocolate dome". A dessert that she started to argue with me that I was looking at the wrong list of desserts and I had to remind her that it was on the list with an up charge. *She's trying to ruin my chocolate experience!* She described it to me as chocolate cake, with chocolate mousse inside, and raspberry sauce on top. Close, but she failed to mention that it's a warm dish, and there is no mousse inside, just gooey cake. Still tasted good, but not what Cliff and I were expecting to split. And of course, when she brought us dessert, she had no silverware for Cliff and I. When I asked her for some spoons she grabbed another napkin roll (with two forks inside) instead. 

When the bill came I would NOT let Cliff tip her more than 8%. Bare minimum work=bare minimum wages. Bert still wanted to tip 15% (mind you, we're all normally 20-25+% tippers!) so we rounded it to 10% for ease of math. 

After we left and got home I was still really feeling slighted at how we were treated. Mostly, the dessert menu issue, the lack of silverware, and the complete negligence of my child. 

I started to think that maybe they didn't have a dessert menu, and maybe children are frowned upon- so I called the manager. 

Eric was shocked when I told him about my experience. He told me that it is a family establishment and they want children there and right now they are pushing a promotion that EVERY table needs to have a dessert menu at the end of their meal. 

I didn't call trying to get anything, if I had wanted something I would of complained while we were still eating. I called because Cliff and Bert both love PF Changs and yet I was feeling like I never wanted to walk into the restaurant again or even eat their food and I was hoping it was just a misunderstanding (maybe kids aren't welcome kind of thing). 

Eric was very polite and professional to me. He assured me that Roseville has an all star staff and that I will not have that kind of experience again. To urge me to return he is also sending me a gift card. 

I didn't need or ask for  the card but I am grateful for it because I really don't think I would have returned otherwise (or encouraged any friends to patronize the place). 

I will give PF Changs one more chance to change how I felt when I left today. I'm very grateful that Evelyn is young enough that she can be totally oblivious to how she was treated at dinner. She really enjoyed pointing out the statures and lamps and loved the food so her and I will return and give it another shot. 

PF Changs

Enjoy a four-course meal for two for $39.95 Price may vary by location. Tax and gratuity are not included.
CUP OF SOUP (CHOOSE TWO)
HOT & SOUR SOUP  EGG DROP SOUP
STARTERS (CHOOSE ONE)
CHANG'S LETTUCE WRAPS Chicken or Vegetarian  CRAB WONTONS DUMPLINGS Shrimp, Pork or Vegetable  CRISPY GREEN BEANS   SPRING ROLLS (4)   SALT & PEPPER CALAMARI SEARED AHI TUNA* Add 2.45 DYNAMITE SHRIMP   Add 1.45 CHANG'S SPARE RIBS Add 1.95
ENTRÉES (CHOOSE TWO)
	CHICKEN		BEEF & PORK		SEAFOOD
	CHANG'S SPICY CHICKEN  GINGER CHICKEN with BROCCOLI CRISPY HONEY CHICKEN SESAME CHICKEN  ALMOND & CASHEW CHICKEN KUNG PAO CHICKEN  ORANGE PEEL CHICKEN  SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN		MONGOLIAN BEEF BEEF with BROCCOLI PEPPER STEAK  BEEF á la SICHUAN  ORANGE PEEL BEEF  SWEET & SOUR PORK		CRISPY HONEY SHRIMP KUNG PAO SHRIMP  ORANGE PEEL SHRIMP  KUNG PAO SCALLOPS  Add 1.95 SALT & PEPPER PRAWNS Add 1.95 ASIAN GRILLED NORWEGIAN SALMON* Add 2.95 NORWEGIAN SALMON STEAMED with GINGER* Add 2.95 MAHI-MAHI* Add 3.95 OOLONG MARINATED CHILEAN SEA BASS* Add 8.95
DESSERTS
CHOOSE TWO OF OUR EIGHT DELICIOUS MINI DESSERTS Tres Leche Lemon Dream | The Great Wall Of Chocolate® | Triple Chocolate Mousse | Apple Pie Tiramisu | Red Velvet Cake | Creamy Cheesecake | Carrot Cake
- or -
ENJOY ONE OF OUR LARGER DESSERTS BANANA SPRING ROLLS Add 1.95 | FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE DOME Add 1.95 THE GREAT WALL OF CHOCOLATE® Add 3.95 | NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE Add 1.95