Breakfast Surprise

By Kelly

Wednesday morning, if all goes as planned, my husband and I will pounce on the kids as soon as they wake up and whisk them away to a surprise breakfast at a real, live restaurant. Even as you are reading this, I will be sitting at a sticky table with three animated children who will be quivering with excitement over the unanticipated turn of their morning. (Pray for me.)

It might be the first surprise stunt we’ve ever pulled on them. Typically, when we have something fun in the future, I’m too excited to keep the good news to myself. Tiny comments slip out during everyday conversation until the kids know something is up.

But a breakfast in pajamas, as soon as they stumble out of bed? They know nothing. They suspect nothing. And I think the amazement will make their day.

The idea for the breakfast surprise started with our love of the children’s book "Every Friday," written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. (He’s also the creator of "Oswald," if you’re an old-school Noggin fan.) It’s the story of a father and son and their weekly ritual of walking to the local diner for breakfast every Friday. As they walk, they watch the neighborhood come to life and share simple joys. The journey culminates with pancakes and conversation a promise that another breakfast is waiting the very next week.

Connor, my five-year-old, half-believes the story is about him. It casts that kind of spell.

And of course, the story is about much more than a walk and a meal.

But, then again, so is our surprise breakfast this morning.

Kelly also blogs at Love Well.