Sushi Leo, BW3

My 3-year-old and I have had a tough day.  He's testing limits and boundaries, enjoying the thrill of being deliberately naughty, and definitely not listening well.  It's beyond frustrating.  Days like today make me grateful that I didn't have children when I was younger.  (Not that I'm ancient; I'm 32.)  I cannot claim that I am the most patient person ever, but I am more patient than I would have been at 25, and that still small voice that says, "take a breath, lower your voice, he's only a little boy," is a lot louder now too.  Thank god for that.  3 is so much better than 2, but at the same time, when he is naughty now, it is completely intentional, and that is hard to handle.

We had a wonderful interlude at the park.  We have worked very, very hard on learning to be a good friend.  We have practiced how to play with other people; role played about what to do when frustrated (such as things to do instead of hitting or kicking or biting).  We have left playdates and parks when he couldn't control his choices.  And today, he did great - he played well with the other kids, didn't throw sand, didn't throw fits, didn't take anyone's toys or cry, came to me when I called him, enjoyed playing with whatever group was near him, and even managed to follow the big kids around without getting in their way too much.  It was a really nice time.  I'm glad for both of us that we had it.

Once we got home, we had very rough battle over staying in his room for naptime, and then an ok trip to the store, and then another difficult time before my husband came home.  By the time John came in the house, I was completely drained.  When we decided to go out for dinner, Spence didn't want to go, and began to throw an actual tantrum in the car on the way there.  I don't remember him ever doing that before, so that was frustrating.  When we got to the parking lot, I was dreading the meal to come so much that I was ready to just hide out in the car.  (Of course I wouldn't have really done that.)  My husband walked to my side of the car, handed me the book I am currently reading, and told me to go try out Sushi Leo while he and the little guy went to BW3.  I was astonished and thrilled.  And I had a lovely, delightful, relaxing meal, just me and my book, no stress, no kids, and when I went to meet my family at their restaurant, Spence was thrilled to be eating chicken and drinking his second cup of milk while watching basketball on an enormous screen.  I was so grateful. 

Sushi Leo's owner and chef used to be at Sushi Tora in Boulder.  The restaurant was nicely filled, but not crowded, and most of the tables were speaking Japanese.  The waitress was quick and friendly and responsive.  She brought a hot towel to clean my hands, took my order, nicely managed the pace of my dinner, and was quick to wrap up my leftovers and bring the check.  It was completely delightful and relaxing.  The salmon roll was really tasty.  The other food was not absolutely the best thing I'd ever had, but was really nice, and the atmosphere was relaxing.  The portions were generous.  The tempura was a little on the greasy side, but not inedibly so, and the options included with the veggie and shrimp tempura were nice.  (I think it was eggplant, kabocha squash, white yam, asparagus, and two giant shrimp.)  There were lots of kids, and while I didn't see a kids' menu, there were plenty of high chairs and a tolerant and laid back staff, so it would be worth going back with the family (once Spencer was in a friendlier mood).

At BW3, the kids' meals were $4.29, which included milk or drink and fries/carrots/fruit cup.  The giant tv screens are everywhere and are noisy, and the commercials are of course not screened for kid friendliness, but if your kiddo is feeling noisy, he won't disturb anyone here, and the portions seemed decent for the price.