The Mouse Vs. The Butterfly

So... I broke down! I figured it was spring break and we needed to cut loose a bit. Preparing for the 3^rd grade proficiency tests, going to tutoring before school, 2 hours of homework every week night, bi-weekly trips to private occupational therapy and speech, aikido, horse lessons, a trip to the emergency room, the new neurologist, doctor visits, home visits, publishing my first book, dad working late most nights plus an episode of the influenza had all created an intense winter for us all. So, mom and girls kicked back and headed for Chuck E Cheese.

What was I thinking? It really was a glorified excursion in my mind. The first day of spring break; kids laughing, playing, and de-stressing; pizza made for you (not by you with special ingredients) with no dishes to wash all appealed to the exhausted side of my essence. We barely made it through the front doors before shoes went flying off and hands were reaching for the magical gold coins. I was trying to order pizza with my head cocked to keep an eye on the two of them running off in different directions. As I handed the bank card to the annoyed cashier, I couldn’t help wonder what else we could have done with that $20.38.

As I found a booth conveniently located in the middle of the restaurant (so I could see all 360 degrees) I noticed most of the moms had brought a book, lap top or much needed paper work to be completed. I even saw a mom and dad sitting huddled in a corner, obviously a rare moment of intense conversation. Somehow they all found comfort in the neon numbers on their child’s little hand and found themselves immersed in their own world blocking out the obnoxious bells, screeches, cries, and bright colors. Not me, I knew better; it wasn’t long before I was re-directing Sahara away from the front door – every time I go there I end up wondering, “They should have staff vigilantly watching this door!”

The past few months we have been phasing out all gluten and casein laced products with some resistance, so I tried to hide my fear that this experience was going to open Pandora’s Box, however I was pleasantly relieved when the cardboard looking pizza arrived. (I silently praised myself for having created a recipe for a GFCF pizza that looked wonderful in comparison.) But I knew the jury was still out. Emily ate two pieces carefully avoiding anything that resembled the crust; she snapped her head up and declared, “This pizza sucks!” and off she went. Yes! I now was able to confirm I had one converted, but our pizza addict was yet to communicate her feelings. She diligently took a tiny bite of the tip of 4 pieces, got up and ran off to play. On her visits to the table the rest of the time there she eyed the pizza while consuming only the water we brought with us. I was pretty sure she was conveying her dissatisfaction, with that, I was pleased.

The girls had fun climbing through the tubes, riding rides, playing the games and collecting tokens (I even snuck a game of Deal Or No Deal in – I won them 20 tokens). I knew they were done an hour into this adventure, I saw them playing tag in between the equipment that was brilliantly designed to entice them to feed it coins and imprint warm fuzzy feelings so they would beg to come back. Marketing executives are good at this; consider the jungle gyms at fast food restaurants and happy meals. These are not designed with child’s interest in mind, but how can ‘they’ make these kids addicted to their product and crave more. Remember Joe Camel? I felt pride as I watched my girls not get sucked into this propaganda.

As we cashed in our tickets, Sahara looked up at me and said, “Hungry”. I am relieved she was hungry for real food and not for the overwhelming enticements in this establishment. They left with no complaints or tantrums. On the ride home Emily was being goofy (I am sure it was the potassium sorbate in the pizza cheese) and Sahara egged her on by laughing so hard that I thought all three of us would pee our pants!

Yesterday, we went to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Butterfly exhibit. This, by far, was a much calmer environment that seemed to naturally feed our spirits. We slowly strolled through while talking and taking in the beauty of different climates and nature. Each of us able to absorb whatever we individually desired. We were tickled; well really, Emily was tickled to have 3 butterflies land on her. As she slowly walked over to us, Sahara was alarmed that her sister was being attacked by these vicious creatures. It was so funny! I hope next time I get the brilliant idea of de-stressing and chilling out with the girls, I remember this and take them to the park for a picnic and reconnect with the earth and nature. Maybe I’ll remember the lessons of what really nourishes their bodies, minds, and spirit.