Eric Perkins

Thanks Stranger!

Had a fun night off. Took the family to a restaurant in Eagan. It's called Viva Italia. I was pleasantly surprised.

Not only was the service and food way up to par, but they have a really cool thing on their kids menu.

Anyone with a toddler knows that the options for tykes are pretty limited. Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese, most restaurants have the usual fare.

An option Viva Italia had which was unique was a Make Your Own Pizza. My 3 year old daughter was all over that concept.

So for 5$ they bring a round rolled pizza dough to the table, with three topping jars. My girl spread the sauce on, then dumped all the mozzarella on, and finally, a sprinkling of sausage to top.

The waiter told her he was going to cook it, and shortly thereafter, they brought out her mini-pie that she constructed! She was so stoked.

I gotta admit, it's a twist I've never seen before, but it's so genius, and so neat to see her take ownership of her little pizza. The best kids menu item I've ever seen.

After dinner we went to MOA. Can you say Nordstrom Sale? HELLO!!!!!!!!!!

As we drove home from the mall, well on our way down 494, I realized, I didn't have my cell phone! I had left it in the stroller with my 9 month old. It must have fallen somehwere along the way. Woops.

I immediately borrowed my wife's phone to call the Mall, when I realized she had a message.

We listened to it. It was my Dad, who was calling from Georgia. His message was funny.

"Calling for Eric. He's lost his cell phone. Call me back and I'll tell you how you can get it back."

Obviously, I called him back and said, "OK Omniscient One, where can I find my phone?" He proceeded to explain that some man had found the phone somewhere in the mall, scrolled through the contact list, and saw an entry that read "Mom & Dad". He had the savvy to call, and let them know he was leaving it at the West End Lost n Found lower level.

I eventually got the cell, but never got a chance to thank the kind, thoughtful man. So, if you're reading this for some reason dude, thanks. You rule.

Lesson learned, let your kids make their own pizza, but don't let them play with your celly.

perkout