Seasoned Grandma Tip #2: “Don’t Eat French Fries For Breakfast” –
Eight years ago, Barry and I attended a lovely Grandparents’ Day at our granddaughter (our first grandchild) Taylor’s school. She was in 2nd grade back then, and it seems impossible to me that she is currently in the finishing months of her sophomore year of high school, building a wonderful resume of academic achievements and activities and already researching/visiting colleges!
I still remember that 2nd-grade morning as Taylor excitedly escorted us to her classes – science, Spanish, computer technology, reading/language arts, physical education, math, music – and the last stop of our tour, the cafeteria.
The cafeteria with the usual good, healthy stuff like salads, sandwiches, fruits & juices and yogurt.
And cookies, cakes and french fries.
What!?! The cafeteria clock was just about tipping to 10:30am -ish.
Taylor was delighted at our feigned surprise when she asked if she could have French Fries.
Basically, for breakfast.
Of course, we said, “Yes!”
We’re grandparents!
And as Taylor enjoyed her decadent breakfast of french fries, she and I talked about writing a little children’s story called Don’t Eat French Fries for Breakfast, making a list right then and there of all the things parents would disapprove for breakfast…
Well, I went home that day and using our scribbled notes, wrote this little verse for Taylor. She loved it.
It’s been sitting in a notebook of my writing, but I recently pulled it out and I’m having it illustrated for Taylor.
This little “ditty” will always be Taylor’s and this Grandma’s (and every grandparent’s) greatest secret:
DON’T EAT FRENCH FRIES for BREAKFAST
Who invented
The parent list
Of breakfast things
That can’t be missed?
You know the list,
Oh, so well…
With its oatmeal,
And eggs,
And things that excel
In nutrients
And vitamins
From A to Z,
Like bananas, berries
Grains and seeds.
But why didn’t french fries
Make this list?
And what about cookies
With chocolate chips.
Or popcorn and ice cream,
Doritos and pie,
Or a bowlful of candy
Piled high.
Hey, wait just a minute…
There is a place
For breakfasts of french fries
And cookies
And cakes.
It’s a place that parents
Don’t know exists…
It’s a place without
Breakfast Rules and Lists.
“So where is this magical place?”
You ask,
“Where sticky and goo
Don’t flabbergast?”
It’s any place
Where Grandparents dwell,
Where anything goes
And french fries spell
B-R-E-A-K-F-A-S-T!
Indeed!