Breakfast for Lunch

I often preach about perspective. I remind people in a tizzy about something superficial that there are people truly suffering from illnesses, abuse, tragedy and things far worse than arriving at a store an hour before it opens. I am the queen of telling people, including myself, to get over it and move on. Actually, my mom is the queen but I am first in line for the throne.

So I shocked even myself today as I screamed out and cried in frustration that the pancakes I was making my children for lunch weren't flipping properly. Any day that I make pancakes for lunch is just an indication that the morning has been brutal.

The downward spiral of my morning really started at 10pm the night before when I decided to take a Coricidin. I thought I was getting a cold. Needless to say, I woke up at 6:30am feeling groggy and in need of caffeine. 7:00 am - kids finished cereal. 7:01am Discovered no caffeine in the house. 7:03 am - Resisted first urge to cry.

I watched the coverage of Chile and should have quickly gained perspective. But I found myself feeling jealous that Ann Curry got to be there reporting on touching stories and wearing an adorable white puffy vest. She was so lucky.

It was cold and rainy and not even Josie, who usually would get in the car with the boogie man if he offered her a chance to go somewhere, wanted to brave the weather and go to Starbucks. 3 hours, 2 bites, 4 pushes, and 6 timeouts later, we were all a mess. I finally got them settled in front of the TV with their favorite show. And the power went out.

It took me all but a few minutes to realize that with no power I couldn't cook anything for lunch. I started to get Josie and Owen motivated to go to the store. Josie was adamant about not going. And Owen, of course, followed her lead. 25 No's later, I tried to put my foot down.

"Okay, listen. I really need to go to the store." I said giving them my best impression of a mom-in-charge.

"Otay, yisten," Josie said pointing her two year old finger toward my face, "I really not going."

"No no!" Owen said shaking his 1 year old finger and following her down the hall.

How did this happen? When did I lose control? Did I ever have control? Does Meals on Wheels deliver Starbucks? If I paid extra would they deliver today?

I decided to give in and wave the McDonalds flag in their face.

"Want Fries and shake?" I asked.

They both came running. Owen slipped because he was still wearing his footed pajamas. Josie helped him up. After all, they were in this fight together now.

"Yeaaaaa. Fries and Shake," Josie screamed. Yeaaaa. I screamed to myself. Drive-Thru Starbucks. Just as we finished getting dressed, the power went on. Their TV show resumed. "Yeaaaaa Gabba Gabba!" Josie screamed and sat in front of the TV. "I want pancakes." Owen sat down next to her and screamed "Apple Juice."

"Yeah, well I want a coffee." I said as I walked out of the room to make them breakfast for lunch.