There are two things about summer break that drive me to the brink of crazy: 1) the suffocating, triple-digit Arizona heat that just goes on and on 24/7, morning and night, from June through October; and 2) trying to get work done while my three kids are home.
Combined, I’m a recipe for insanity – three active kids under 8 + one busy working mom with a pile of to-do’s for home and for work + stuck indoors for the better part of the day. At some point in the day, one of us will whine, “I wish we lived back in California,” and then the day is pretty much shot as we mope around the house missing our real home - cool, ocean breezes, family and friends.
Yet, there is a lot about summer that I absolutely love (even in Arizona) and one of them is when Mom’s House of Pancakes opens for business.
As the kids lazily crawl out of bed and head to the kitchen for breakfast, I’ve got my apron on, cinnamon-dusted batter mixed, and skillet warmed, “Welcome to Mom’s House of Pancakes! How would you like your pancakes today?”
When Mom’s House of Pancakes is open, the kids are free to order their pancakes however they choose. They love this! Their faces light up and they excitedly tell me how they want their custom pancakes made:
- One pancake with lots of butter and syrup and a scrambled egg with cheese, please!
- One pancake no butter, just syrup with strawberries on the side.
- One pancake with syrup and two slices of bacon.
As each plate is finished, I holler, “Order up!” and repeat the order, “One pancake…” Whoever ordered the plate runs up and I say, “It’s my pleasure to serve you. Hope you enjoy it!”
I’m always tickled by how much the kids relish this kind of overplayed, special attention. They gobble up their meals and when they drop their empty plates in the sink they say, “Thanks Mom! I love you.”
And in my book, that’s enough to cover the bill and a generous tip. (And it makes me forget, even for a moment, how much I miss being back home in California.)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
THAT is adorable. You know they’re going to always remember those pancake summer days.
That sounds like a lot of fun! My daughter would love that- except it would have to be French Toast. LOL. It’s her favorite.