McDonald's and I are long lost, newly found friends.  There was a time in my adult life that I actually loved McDonald's.  When we first moved to Kansas City, David and I met there all the time for lunch with Madison in her carrier - so it wasn't about the Happy Meals.  With toddlers, lets be honest, I loved it for the playland - and for the little tiny ice cream cones that provided dessert that somehow managed to stay in their mouths and not all over their shirts.  This summer, my love is renewed.  My kids are happy.  The food is dependable - you always know you'll get the same flat, little hamburger with the one, lone pickle.  You are not charged for each ketchup packet, except you do have to ask for each one from the cashiers, and they are astonished at the number of times we will come back to ask for more ketchup.  Why they can't just give us 10 packets in the beginning is beyond me.  Anyway, we have visited McDonald's in Europe no less than 10 or 15 times.  Is that a lot in just over 3 weeks?  As someone who often visits Chipotle 3-5 times per week, I think not.

These are the toys this summer.  Little boom boxes that play a short stanza from the band's song over and over and over... not ideal.  Apparently, we are collecting them - but somehow, they keep getting "lost".

Yes, this is a fresh rose - in a McDonalds!!! And it's not uncommon!

This is their version of a trash can - no more ketchup-splashed doors to maneuver open - just slide your tray into the tray holder and put your drink on the top.