Out to Lunch

Hurry.  Hurry.  Hurry.
Always in a rush.
Rushing for nothing, really.

Anybody else have those kind of moments?

After school, we were in a "rush" to start and complete homework.  We were in a hurry to start, complete, and eat dinner.  We were in a rush to finish a project.  To do dishes.  To make lunches. 

My daughter unpacked her backpack and brought me her lunch box.  I checked it.  Pretzels left over from today's lunch.  Check.  Water bottle replaced with a new water bottle.  Check.  I put the lunch box in the refrigerator.  To get it off the counter and out of the way.  And there it stayed.

Daughter:  "How was your day?"
Me:  "Busy.  And yours?"
D:  "Do you really want to know how my day was?  Because I am tellling you that it was great until 11:45am.  And do you want to know why it was horrible after that?"
Me:  "Wellllll...."
D:  "I'll tell you why.  BECAUSE I'M STARVING.  I MEAN REALLY STARVING.  LIKE SUPER, SUPER HUNGRY!" 
Me:  "Oh no!"
D:  "I wondered why my lunch box was so light.  I had no idea what was going on."
Me:  "It's an early April Fools!"  ha ha ha.  "Thank goodness you had pretzels and water still in there."
D:  "My friends couldn't believe their eyes.  How embarrassing!"
Me:  "You could have at least eaten your pretzels!"
D:  "I couldn't eat after looking inside my empty lunch box."

Assuming is a very bad thing

ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR DINNER!

I am not much of a cook, let alone a 'short-order' cook. I don't even pretend to be! If you come to our house... you'll probably be served the same thing you had last time. And the time before that. And the time before that.

Please don't ask my children what are their favorite foods... you may be surprised to learn that their favorites include: salmon, shrimp, tofu, spring rolls, edamame (please pronounce it 'ay-dah-mah-may'), tilapia and broccoli.

Shhhh! Now you know my secret (I really do cook) but it is better to pretend I don't - so you won't want to come and visit us!

the definition of Choice

1. The act of choosing; selection.
2. The power, right, or liberty to choose; option.
3. A number or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of styles and colors.
4. The best or most preferable part.
5. An alternative

"I'm hungry!" echoes through the house on a consistent basis, like every twelve minutes.

"OK, we'll have lunch early," I give in. Who cares if it is only 10:17 am?

"What do you want?" I ask.

"I dunno," responds Child A. "What can I have?"

A lot of things come to mind... 'Cheerios', 'Popcorn', 'Snacksize Bag of Lays', 'Fruit Rollup'... but I have to consider nutritional value and the fact those items do not reside in my cabinet (really). Child A did not know what "junk food" was til I shipped her off to school. She came home inquiring about 'Pop-Tarts', 'Lunchables', 'Rice Krispy Treats', 'Chicken Nuggets', etc. And I properly reminded her that those snacks ONLY exist at school. Just like "CHUCK E. CHEESE" and "McDONALDS" -- they are ONLY a place to have a BIRTHDAY PARTY. It does NOT exist unless you attend or host a birthday party. HOW CLEVER! (I thought of that one all on my own!)

"Salmon or Taco-bake?" I offer as two choices.

"Well, yeah, BUT I don't think I really like any of those choices today!" Child A debates. "How about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?"

Now that I can do... "Good Choice!" I congratulate Child A.

Post 4th of July Menu

Breakfast: It is in the refrigerator unless you are taking us to IHOP. (hee hee)

Snack: The baby seems to prefer dirt, let's all try it! The pediatrician recommends one bite before 'passing'. Good rule to implement today!

Lunch: Whatever is quick... Popcorn? Marshmallow kebabs? Melted 'Parade' candy? Who has the phone number for 'PF Changs'?

Snack: Pool water with lemon? Something from the compost pile (didn't I just put watermelon rinds in there yesterday?)?

Dinner: Have we had cereal today? Corn Flakes? Cheerios? Cat food niblets dunked in milk?

Snack: a six pack of beer? bottle of wine? that old bottle of Tequila from 1991? Oh, and for the children, hell, why not mix up some lemonade and beer? Or dried up cheerios stuck to the floor? (I think they would prefer the beer!)

As for next week, I promise to cook (fingers crossed)!