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The incident of the strawberry and the horrible beans!

We have always loved eating out! We also happen to live in a town that loves food. How do I know this? Well it's a town that has so many recommended restaurants that it is often difficult to get a table at popular times!  



Last night we went out as a trio (The Lodger and Us!). When we first received the diagnosis of PWS, eating out was one of the things we thought we'd never get to do as a family. We couldn't have been more wrong. The Lodger not only loves eating out, he's brilliantly behaved at eating out and due to his super power of always finishing every meal, he gets great praise from all the waiting staff.

To quote him "Ah thank you! The dinner was delicious. Yum Yum Yum!"

Granted it does take some pre planning to ensure there is something that The Lodger can eat. The kids menu generally doesn't suit his diet. 
We bring his own plate from home. His small portion of food would look minuscule on a big restaurant plate and as the eye can deceive the brain on the amount of food is on a plate, a small full plate is more appreciated then a big 'small portion' plate.. even though the portion size is exactly the same! 

We also bring the distraction tool kit of colouring books, games & books. 

Not forgetting the back up 19 calories emergency rice cakes and something healthy hidden in the bag incase we decide on dessert! 

We'll make our plan before we go in- reminding him that when his meal is brought to the table, mum/dad will portion it onto his plate. So far, this works really well for us. As long as the leftover food is put on Dads plate or removed from the table, he's content.

Yesterday The Lodger showed us his new superpower of moving at lightning speed. 
Our drinks were brought to the table and before myself and my husband had even reached out to prevent the inevitable, he had swiped the strawberry that was sitting on his milk glass and ate it. 

To quote him "Yummmm a little snack for me!"

You win some, you lose some. This was our second loss. A strawberry

It was followed with a conversation of teaching The Lodger to always ask and to let him know that he'd absolutely be able to have his dinner and then we'd go home. 

I wonder what it looks like to other people sometimes. Our let down faces because our child ate a strawberry. It is almost laughable. 

When we were in the restaurant his dinner arrived at the same time as our starter. This works perfectly as long as we know that The Lodgers meal will be a slow eating one. 

While we were waiting for our main courses, The Lodger took a break from his dinner to have a little rest. He sat smiling at the people at the tables next to us, who I'm sure he overheard saying what a great boy he was. That's one of his other superpowers, he hears everything! Our mains arrived and he continued his meal, remarking to the waitress when she collected our plates that he was not finished his yummy dinner yet! 

Resting between courses

I wonder where we got him at times. He brings charm, manners and politeness to the next level- over over the top! 

During the week, The Lodger handed back an UNFINISHED plate.
This is a rare occurrence. 

It was backed up with a statement of "Thanks for the beans mummy... they were horrible!"

The Lodger, never failing to make us laugh and amaze us....... everyday. 

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