It was the best of times...It was the worst of times!

On Tuesday night, we went off base to have dinner for the first time...I was so excited about getting off base and experiencing a little bit of Japan. We went out with a very nice couple that we met shortly after arriving. They have two little girls that are the same ages as Kaylee & Abby. Since they have been here for three years and know all the good spots, we told them to pick a place...I think the name of the restaurant was called CHIA (also known as Six Frogs). It was really neat...the table we sat at was at floor level, so it appeared that we were sitting on the floor, but actually our feet were under the table...just like any other table. We had to take our shoes off before entering the room and sat on round straw mats. There was an open grill in the center of the table and we cooked our own meat (kind of like the Melting Pot). Unfortunately, I don't remember the name(s) of the meats I ordered, because Ryan ordered for me...I was tending to children. However, we were not too adventures...we had a couple different steaks, chicken, & pork...and it was really good! I could have eaten much more than I did, but the kids were demanding my attention.
Instead of silverware, they brought chopsticks for us to eat with. I tried so hard to figure them out, but with no success...so I had to ask for a fork! They showed us how to hold them in our orientation class, but I could not do it. Ryan did pretty well with them...guess I need some practice!
The food & company was really good, but our children were a little wild. Abigail was very tired and extremely fussy. She wanted to be held, and did not want to sit in her car seat. And Kaylee...oh my sweet Kaylee...she wanted to do anything and everything but seat down and eat her meal. It seemed that every few minutes something was going on with them. Kaylee was dumping rice everywhere, crying for her "pa" (pacifier), and trying to escape from our little room. I tried to feed little Abby some baby food and before I could get her back in her seat, she reached for the baby food container and pulled it down and it spilled all in my lap...so frustrating. And it when on and on...
Justin and Myra's little girls were so well behaved. Their six month old sat in her car seat the majority of the meal playing with her toys; and their two year old sat so quietly and ate her chicken and rice. It made me wonder what were we doing wrong, but I think we just had an off night. Both Kaylee and Abby had short naps and I still believe they are adjusting to this new place. So by the end of dinner, both Ryan and I were completely exhausted and I was thinking we will never be able to go out to eat again with these girls, but looking back now, it wasn't that bad...I guess. Luckily, Justin & Myra want to take us out again! We really enjoyed their company and I'm already sad that they will be leaving in July.
I'm hoping next time the girls we be in good moods and we have a much better experience!