It's Almost Started
Puck was almost late to school – again – because the numerous distractions of being a boy continued to delay the process of finishing his breakfast yogurt. This time, that distraction was a large springy metal coil, which he decided would work best as a self-appointed catapult. (There were almost a few fatalities.) Or a hat.
Somehow he still made it to school with a few minutes to spare. Of course he also forgot his backpack, and homework, and water thermos, granola bars, gloves, hat, and birthday card for his teacher. But at least he avoided a second tardy.
Meanwhile, snow.
As soon as curtains were drawn that morning. It didn’t stick long in the end, despite the softly falling lace throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Not enough to impress Puck anyway. No requests for snow angels or sleds before departure.
“Can I have more fish cakes, Mom?!”
Words I thought I’d never hear.
I don’t know what it was. Maybe it was the crunchy crust fried in olive oil. Or the tasty cooling dipping sauce. But somehow that apparently tantalizing combination of cod, egg, sour cream, lemon juice, mustard, salt, chili pepper, and homemade oat breadcrumbs inspired Puck to ask for seconds, thirds, and then fourths. Fish is back on the menu.
Of course, he was in a good mood anyway. When is he not after another successful day in the world of school? It was his final full-day school-day of 2014, and he made me carefully assure him that he would, indeed, be returning to 2nd grade in January, and not 3rd. There was no way he was leaving Mr. V’s class any earlier than absolutely necessary.
Anyway, he was in a good enough mood to not be too bothered by the suggestion of watching another Shirley Temple film for movie night. I don’t know why I keep loaning them from the library. I guess partially because it’s part of the Snicketts’ heritage. Linnea was always our Shirley Temple. So the tradition is passed down. Tonight it was “Captain January” and in the end, little to no coaxing was necessary to keep Puck involved in the storyline. I think the former ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia continues to grow on him.
When El Oso tromped through the front door just as Puck was going down for the night, he brought leftover Christmas cookies as we sat down to watch two episodes of “Master Chef Junior: Season 2”. After ten-plus years of hating reality shows, I’ve decided that reality cooking shows with kids are actually not that bad.