Jalape-NO!

Ben FINALLY had a day off today (well . . . "off" after he spent several hours at the hospital this morning rounding on patients . . ) so we decided in light of the oppressive heat and humidity to have a little indoor fun. $1 kids meals at Salsaritas - home of all of Lola's favorite foods (beans, rice, and cheese) followed by a little time at the book store - sounded like a great plan.

To celebrate their $1 kids meal promotion, there was a man dressed as a giant jalapeno. (Or a lime. This detail is still up for debate.) When we arrived, Ben and I noticed him/it waving to cars across the lot and we figured as long as he stayed there and Lola didn't notice . . we'd be safe. And we were. Until he came into the restaurant for what was, I'm sure, a much needed break from the weather. As soon as she laid eyes on him, all hell broke loose. It was the Chick-Fil-A cow all over again. We had to take her out of the restaurant (crying, pleading, holding on to Ben for dear life) until his break was over and she spent the rest of the meal looking over her shoulder. We were able to ease the post-traumatic stress with a bit of queso (which she happily shoveled directly into her mouth with her bare hands) . . . but it's safe to say you can cancel those tickets to Disney World you were planning to give us.

One hand in the queso. Both eyes on the lookout for dangerous over-sized peppers.