My kids were still off school today owing to the snow. Most of the main roads are clear so we could have made it in today but the conditions last week meant that heating oil deliveries are all backed up. Fortunately school will be open tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.
We’re out of our usual routine. The children know it and they’ve taken full advantage
This last week of unexpected school holiday has left me feeling like I’m running an all day cafe.
There have been constant demands for food and drinks – it’s never ending.
The children get up at 7am (often earlier) and have breakfast soon after. My wife, on the days she’s off work, will get up around 8.30am (after I’ve graciously allowed her the chance to sleep in. How great am I?). Anyway, whatever she eats for breakfast will be scavenged by the little people.
After their second go at breakfast they start asking how long until lunch, before then assaulting me with endless requests for drinks and snacks.
After lunch and throughout the early afternoon I hear the same requests for snacks and drinks.
The extended Christmas holiday left them with the idea that we’ve permanently reintroduced junk food back into our diets and they’ve come to expect it.
Well, the Christmas holidays are finally over, they’re back at school, and…
the All Day Cafe is CLOSED.
Dave
Selfish Blogger
Photo: nicephore
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh I know those days – only too well…I did teach the little ones how to make bread and pizza on those days, because they are hard to wreck up items and they were producing their own foods.
And It seems like from Halloween to Easter is now the sweet high season – all when they can’t run it off out doors…yikes…
It worked to make them brush their teeth after each treat and snack – about 36 times a day – it slowed the kitchen staff down and gave time for a bathroom break!
And then there is Melbourne Australia the hottest day today since 1902 it was 109F by 7 am…something is not fair?????
I must try the baking bread thing. It’s a great idea. We do get them baking but it’s usually biscuits or muffins or cakes, which only adds to the problem I mentioned above. But bread is a genius idea!
109F by 7am? That’s frightening.
Does that mean I can’t stop by the All Day Cafe? I’ll bring Tara and we can watch you in your apron making dainty finger foods. Maybe afterward, we can watch you iron. hee hee! How old are your kids? I don’t think you’ve mentioned that here? I’d think at a certain age, you’d let them make their own meals?
Finger foods my ass. If you and Tara come to my cafe you can look forward to large helping of ‘knuckle sandwich’ with a side order of ‘a slap upside the head’. Be sure to leave a big tip or I won’t be quite so congenial next time.
(They’re 8,6,4 & 3. I’d happily leave them to it but I fear they’d end up eating chocolate for every meal.
)
I am attempting to find my turtle bread recipe for you…or pretzels…they are way fun and edible art!
Thanks Patricia, I might need it. It’s snowing again abd school is closed. Looks like the all day cafe is OPEN again!
Turtle Bread (AKA = Scones with a different shape)
2 cups flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 teaspoons sugar; 1/4 cup cold butter; 1/2 cup half and half or cream (I use regular milk with the kids or soy milk) 1 egg beaten – raisins.
Sift the dry ingredients together. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or a fork until dough looks like little peas. Add mild and egg to the mixture with a fork. Do not over mix.
Divide into about 12 balls -use other dough to make balls to form the head and tuck under the shells add raisins for eyes and my kids liked to add a tail…. so they look like a row of turtles on an ungreasesd baking sheet. Bake about 10-12 minutes – my oven it is 400′F…..until toasty on top….serve with butter and jam or favorite scone toppers
My kids could spend almost an hour trading off making that butter and flour combo into pea sized balls in the first mix and then the turtles just had to look like the turtles in the pictures on the computer…edible art snack…
enjoy
Patricia, that’s marvellous! Thank you very much. I’m drooling just thinking about them.
can also add some grated cheese to the dough…and/or chocolate chips for the eyes
And the sifting part was just so messy and fun…
It’s ages since I’ve eaten the cheese variety. Sounds like a big mess of fun!
Thanks
Dave