Would you like chocolate chips with your fantasy?

Ian has been agitating for much of today for me to make pancakes - something I've probably done about five times in my entire life, the last time being about eight years ago. Mommy usually makes the pancakes, but she has been cramming - I mean writing her term paper - so she is busy. Accordingly, young Ian came into the bedroom where Madeleine was sleeping and I was trying to sleep (Madeleine is an excellent nap-mate, and she actually sleeps better when I'm around) - he opened the door and asked for pancakes.

Not happening.

I referred him to Mommy, who apparently wasn't any more inclined to make pancakes than she had been earlier. So of course, for the second time, he came into the room where Madeleine and I were taking a nap, opened the door, and dramatically whispered, "Pancakes!"

More deferral.

Finally, Madeleine and I got up, came downstairs, and Ian reminded me that he still wanted pancakes. I gave him a brownie, but that obviously didn't do the trick. I hadn't done anything to prolong the illusion that I was going to attempt to make pancakes at 3:30 in the afternoon, but apparently the vision lived on. A few minutes ago, he reiterated the message with more specific detail:

"Now daddy, if you could make the pancakes, I like pumpkin, sweet potato and chocolate chip."

(December 27, 2009)