Whine And Dine
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 11:44AM I had forgotten what it's like to get a three-year-old to eat. Consistently, that is.
Melanie practically inhales the breakfast I make for her each morning: old-fashioned oatmeal made with milk and a pinch of salt, to which I add a generous helping of cinnamon applesauce. The bowl is full but she eats every bite with alacrity, and drinks some juice too. That's no problem. Likely that's her hungriest time of day. Mine too. I imbibe strong, fresh, hot coffee the whole time ... Folgers Coffeehouse Series Black Silk, with CoffeeMate (The Original, in liquid form ... no powder, no funny flavors).
I figured out right away that my darling's main problem was, she was overtired.
Lunch is dicier. Yesterday for Princess Melanie I prepared a grilled cheese sandwich on Sara Lee Raisin Cinnamon Swirl bread (the only bread I had in the house) ... boy did it smell good. I could have eaten a couple of those myself but I opted for an apple, a chunk of extra-sharp cheddar, and a few grapes. Oh to be three again. I cut the sandwich into four triangles and placed it in front of Her Highness. She demonstrated a distinct preference for the points of each triangle, but the closer she got to the crust, the more she seemed determined to stage a sit-in.
What is it with kids and bread crusts? I'd (happily ... nay ecstatically) live on any part of bread, up to and including the crust. Bread and water (traditionally meager fare according to books and movies) has always sounded good to me ... although bread and coffee sounds better. Throw in some Nutella and I quickly attain nutritional nirvana. Just keep Jenny Craig on speed dial.
My own children always ate their crusts; I never once surgically removed a bread crust from a sandwich. We just didn't throw food away (unless you count the furry leftovers that sometimes congregated in the back of the fridge).
But La Mel can't seem to abide the texture of the toasted crust (just typing that makes my mouth water) after the texture of the softer triangle point oozing with warm American cheese. At least I figure that's the issue. She ate most of the sandwich, though, and I rewarded her with a snack pudding. Amazingly she never balks at those! I did not eat her leftover crusts; Javier did. He's begging for another serving. Pretty tasty when the mainstay of your diet is kibble, I imagine.
Supper is not too bad as a rule, but then again you never know what's going to happen. Last night I made chicken, potatoes (with butter and sour cream), sliced carrots, creamed corn, and salad. After preparing the food I had to run an errand so TG gladly agreed to oversee Melanie's gustatory activities as he savored his own meal. I was gone for about an hour. When I got home I immediately became aware of two things: Melanie had eaten only about a third of her plate, and she was crying. Both she and TG had retired to the family room, where he was holding her as he attempted to watch The Golf Channel. The Melster was visibly and audibly distraught.
TG reported that she had eaten some of her food (albeit reluctantly) but then became upset and refused to consume another bite. He gave up and tried to comfort her by holding her and talking to her, but she clearly wanted me (poor surrogate for her own mother than I am ... I'm not much but at present I'm all she's got). I figured out right away that my darling's main problem was, she was overtired. She had a shakeup of a week last week, all discombobulated with the arrival of her baby sister and her mother being in the hospital for a few days. Then there was traveling to my house and getting used to new surroundings. By eight o'clock last night she was sound asleep (I persuaded her to eat a cherry vanilla yogurt first) and she slept for thirteen hours!
Conclusion: Melanie and I are having fun hanging out together. Today she is positively wreathed in smiles; we've read several books, walked around outside, and discussed a number of subjects. This afternoon following a spot of lunch, she'll have a nap and then a bath. I'm sure she'll eat her supper with no difficulty. We'll get dolled up and TG will gallantly chauffeur us to prayer meeting at church. When we get back home tonight, it will be a snack, a snuggle, then bed.
Since it is an election year, tomorrow I plan to introduce Melanie to state government. A tour of the South Carolina State House is in order, I think ... and possibly McDonald's. Pictures and a full report will be provided! Watch this space.
Reader Comments (6)
I personally grew up with a distaste for bread crusts. My mother cut the sides off and I assumed that was the only correct way to eat a sandwich and that the crust just was not appetizing at all because it was continually thrown away. To this day, I still have a small problem eating the crust. I do eat it, but not without giving it thought. Toasted bread crust, however, has never been a real issue for me. Neither has whole wheat bread crust. Only the crust of the white bread and the first slice of the loaf.
See now ... your mother passed her distaste for crusts down to you! If she had left them on, you'd probably love them as much as I do!
ryc: Eating money is an interesting idea. With the way inflation is going, a $1 bill will be worth roughly the same as a single breath mint. Which would be more filling, a $1 bill or a single breath mint?
I think the answer is pretty obvious. Your idea will catch on soon, I just know it.
Kev: I have no doubt, my friend! As for which is more filling, I'm going to go with the one-dollar bill. But how would that make your breath? All George Washingtoney?
I'm afraid I was getting hungry while reading your post and got up to make myself a sandwich (boy, your potatoes sounded good). I'm from the clean your plate generation or household. My husband is not. As for our kids, we have one of each.
Your analysis of your princess is right on. Too much happening!
Girl, those potatoes are something. Usually I leave the skins on and mash 'em but this time I peeled, "chunked" and boiled them ... then when they were well-done I drained the water off and added butter and creole seasoning ... mixed that up real good and scraped them out into a serving bowl, then put a great big dollop of sour cream on top. Need I add, I didn't touch those things? The mere thought of 'em is enough to make me gain weight!
About the time Princess Melanie mellows out, it will be time for her to go home.