RIGATONI'S DAY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

I reaaaaaally dislike Rigatoni's. I do. But the kids love their bread bar.

So, we go twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring. The two fundraisers for their school. The monsters always get the same thing: fettuccine alfredo. But only 'cause I make them. If they had their druthers, they'd be parked in front of the bread buffet shoving slice after slice of warm baketty goodness into their little beaks.

Saia, of course, must dip hers in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Oh, yes, she does. :)

For Santiago, as long as it's got a crust, it's going down.

So, we show up shortly after the lunch rush because chess class goes til one. And there's not another single person from their school there. But they both keep making excuses for the kids in their classes, like, maybe they're coming for dinner instead, or maybe we just missed them, or maybe they got carry-out instead, or maybe they're on their way RIGHT NOW.

And I found it so admirable and even a little uplifting that rather than think, "Man, there's nobody here but us. Why are we always the ones that show up for these things?" (Like Mama was thinking.) Instead, they want to believe the best about their friends. Have faith in people. Trust that everyone's doing the right thing even if you can't immediately prove it.

And I felt pretty good about that.

And even better when the principal and her family showed up, glanced around the room, and then came right over to chat with the kiddos. :P

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