Today, Barry and I had the great pleasure of attending Grandparents’ Day at our granddaughter Taylor’s school. The grandparents were treated to a magnificent concert of violins and singing first, and then we accompanied our granddaughters to their classes, library, computer room, science room, Spanish room, music room, outside reading and reflecting gardens, and everything in-between. Taylor is in 2nd grade, and she happily escorted us, telling us all about each room and each place and what goes on in them.
Our last stop was the cafeteria. Taylor was quick to tell us that we were actually in the cafeteria of the middle and high school girls… and that her cafeteria didn’t have “all the good stuff.”
All that good stuff turned out to be delectable cookies and cakes and french fries… mixed in, of course, with delicious soups and salads and fruits and yogurts and everything one would describe as nutritious.
So… what did Taylor want at 10:30 am? Yep. Chocolate chip cookies and french fries. All three of us kind of looked at each other for that fraction of a moment when either Grandpa or I could have said, “Nah…”
But we didn’t. We’re grandparents. And as Taylor enjoyed her decadent breakfast, she and I talked about writing a story called Don’t Eat French Fries for Breakfast. We even made a list of the things that parents would definitely not approve of…
So, Taylor… this one’s for you! I love you more than you will ever imagine, and I had the very best time with you today at your school. You delight me with your beauty and charm and imagination and humor!
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 cherries
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
BREAKFAST!
But remember, Taylor… don’t tell anyone our secret!!
