Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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.

5 comments:

  1. uuuu that is soooo great :) I can't wait to be able and do such surprises to my son hehe

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  2. Mmmm. Pancakes. What a great idea! Hope you guys have a wonderful time!

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  3. My parents used to wait until my sister and I had been in bed for about ten minutes some summer nights, and then come up and ask us if we wanted to go out for ice cream in our pajamas. It didn't happen often, but it was always a wonderful fun treat. Like you said, it was about so much more than just the ice cream!

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  4. What a charming idea! My kids and I used to go out to breakfast before school on days when we got up early enough (and when they went to the same school). It's so simple but they have very fond memories.

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  5. Sounds fabulous...did you go to the OPH?

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