Boys' Day Out -- Part 1

I took my last final of the semester on April 29th, and have been spending days with Wes since that time.

Our mornings generally consist of episodes of Sesame Street, Bob the Builder, and other kids' shows on Sprout (but not Caillou, who Tina calls a "wimp"). Wes loves Elmo's World, but I'm still a little creeped out by Mr. Noodle. And have you ever noticed that Elizabeth from Bounce wears the same lime-colored shirt on every episode?

Our Sprout lineup is promptly interrupted at 9am by the first in a series of Matlock episodes. Tina has the Tivo set to tape re-runs of Matlock, which airs no fewer than 13 times every day (not really, but it certainly seems to be on rather frequently). Wes now picks his head up every time the theme song comes on. The only other TV segments that have this effect on him at the moment are commercials for The Perfect Pushup and AARP. Tina's dad has suggested that Wes likes the AARP commercial for its use of the color red, which Wes likes and equates with Elmo. However, I'm starting to wonder if he notices it simply because it airs four or five times during every episode of Matlock!

Anyway, around 11am, we ditch Matlock's gray Crown Victoria for Nash Bridges' Yellow Barracuda (usually out of sheer laziness, as it comes on after Matlock and we're too preoccupied with napping and/or toys to change the channel).

Finally, lunchtime is here! Wes typically feasts on Oatmeal and an assortment of vegetables and fruits. Then, he and I will strike out in the early afternoon for some destination.

On May 1st, we decided to hit downtown Pittsboro and the S & T Soda Shoppe, where all the waitresses loved Wes and where I scarfed down a tasty buffalo chicken sandwich and soda-shoppe-style cherry coke. Wes had fun with the menu.....

The following week, we decided to have lunch at Tyler's Taproom in Carrboro. It was a similar scene.....

In fact, at just about every restaurant we take Wes, he insists on "inspecting" the menu. This usually involves banging it against the table and trying to eat it. Fortunately for the menu, it is often laminated or reinforced in some way.

Stay tuned for Part 2.....