My friend Dana had almost the exact same thing happen last winter, sitter bailed at 5pm on a Saturday and she was stuck with a 3 year old and a mountain of guilt about missing her friend's birthday dinner. So she pulled out every pot and pan they owned and they made pancakes at 8 at night, which turned into a pancake picnic on the kitchen floor with a flashlight because the big light was too bright. Her kid still talks about "night pancakes" like it was a holiday. The funny part is she said the dinner would have been fine but she barely remembers any of those nights out, while she can still picture him covered in syrup. Kids don't care about the reservation, they just want you there in the mess with them.

Lived in Austin for years and just so you know the trail around Lady Bird Lake is way longer than an hour walk, it's like 10 miles if you do the whole loop. Not trying to be that guy but if you only walked an hour you prob did the little stretch by the boardwalk. Anyway you're totally right tho, those random cheap nights always hit harder than the planned fancy ones. My go to is the tamale cart on East 6th, like $2 each and we just sit on the hood of my car eating them. Something about not trying too hard that makes it better, fancy places always feel like you're performing or something.