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Original poster

Saw this on the way out of swimming lessons earlier...

143 replies

SleepWarrior · 07/01/2019 22:31

The front entrance to the leisure centre has a few tables with school-type chairs which are usually being used by children to do homework while their siblings swim.

Today as we were leaving there was a mum serving up steaming spaghetti and meatballs out of a giant glass dish onto proper dinner plates with proper cutlery laid out around the plates. Her two very embarrassed looking children (about 10/11yo) were talking in those cross hissy whispers through gritted teeth "that's enough mum", and she was all "no, no don't be silly, you need more meatballs. Here." while she dished up with proper pasta serving spoons.

Spaghetti and meatballs at the swimming pool! Made my day! I normally hate the faff and palaver of swimming day, but this is a new day and time for me so now I can look forward to seeing if she's there each Monday, and find out what's for dinner Grin

OP posts:
Fantasisa · 07/01/2019 22:33

Befriend her and get her to make your DC some dinner too!

NormHonal · 07/01/2019 22:34

Ooh. I’ve seen spaghetti (home-made, not tinned) forked out of a flask before, but that is Next. Level. —Wonder if it’s the same mum.—

Original poster
SleepWarrior · 07/01/2019 22:35

That's a good idea and perfect timing too as we're on the way out - no rushing home to cook a quick post-swim tea!

OP posts:
Neverunderfed · 07/01/2019 22:35

She sounds amazingly organised, I'm v jealous

AllGoodDogs · 07/01/2019 22:37

That is super impressive!! When I had toddler in tow for then 6 yo's lessons it'd be a bag of wotsits if he was lucky 😂 please do keep us updated!!

Original poster
SleepWarrior · 07/01/2019 22:41

Also, everyone was staring, the kids could tell and were sinking down in their chairs and she DID NOT CARE. It was a thing to behold! I'd feel way too silly to pull it off.

I think I'll congratulate her next week on her marvellous idea if she's there. I do hope she is!

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 07/01/2019 22:41

I admire her organisational skills and hutzpah, but I feel mortified on her children's behalf.

Dothehappydance · 07/01/2019 22:43

That is very impressive, it is the added touch of proper plates and cutlery that just makes it.

She is an absolute Star

gamerchick · 07/01/2019 22:44

She might have been teaching them a lesson of some sort, yanno like when parents march their kids to school in their pajamas because they refuse to get dressed type of thing.

Unless she's there next week doing the same thing then you should come back to your thread Grin

Esker · 07/01/2019 22:44

I mean, I'm trying to reduce my use of disposable plastics too but I think she wins 😂

KiteMarked · 07/01/2019 22:45

I want to be her friend.

pastabest · 07/01/2019 22:46

Any idea how she had kept it hot?

missxdivine · 07/01/2019 22:48

Jeez I used to be made up to get a pot noodle from the machine in reception at our swimming baths Grin

sherrysfortea · 07/01/2019 22:49

I love it!! I would have pulled up a chair!

Please let us know what next weeks meal is

Original poster
SleepWarrior · 07/01/2019 22:52

pastabest there was a cooler bag next to them so guessing she heated it up, shoved it in there and jumped n the car. Plus there are quite a few swimming pools locally so I would imagine she lives within 10 mins to be using this one.

OP posts:
gaggiagirl · 07/01/2019 22:53

My mam used to do this. I was always absolutely mortificado.
She bought along her camping stove to do spag bol at the beach on sunny days.
She sat slicing cucumber for a salad at the cinema when we went to see jurassic park about 20 years ago.
Just embarrassing attention seeking behavior.
I love spaghetti and meatballs but I feel sorry for those kids.

CarrieBlu · 07/01/2019 22:54

I wish I could be like her. My DC get a sandwich and a packet of Pom bears to scoff in the car.

ShatnersBassoon · 07/01/2019 22:54

Had the kids been swimming? Are they living at the leisure centre? Confused

fruitbrewhaha · 07/01/2019 22:57

I wonder what was for pudding?

Knickerbocker glory? Already served into tall glasses with the long teaspoon.

BackforGood · 07/01/2019 23:00

I admire her organisational skills and hutzpah, but I feel mortified on her children's behalf.

This ^
Mortifying.
Poor kids

ErrolTheDragon · 07/01/2019 23:01

Had she brought a tablecloth?

ShatnersBassoon · 07/01/2019 23:01

She sat slicing cucumber for a salad at the cinema

I sat behind a full picnic family in the cinema a few years ago. A tupperware of what smelled like cat food being passed up and down, a baguette being torn, and even an apple cutter-upperer in use. It was fascinating to watch, but I could have gone to see it in the park for free.

Original poster
SleepWarrior · 07/01/2019 23:05

No tablecloth! But I do hope she cleared up as spaghetti is a pretty messy dinner.

No idea about pudding sadly but if I can befriend her and get in on the dinner action I'll let you know!

My kids are young enough to just be delighted with food and not care about embarrassment, but yes, her poor children. I can imagine a lifetime of looking back on swimming lessons and this being the first thing that springs to mind (assuming it's a weekly event) .

OP posts:
Witchend · 07/01/2019 23:08

Next week you have to try to go one better. Full roast dinner and don't forget tablecloth and napkins. Then report back. Grin

singingismypassion · 07/01/2019 23:08

Befriend her and join in. Offer to bring a side
Dosh or pudding next week