Magical Donuts

I am sure I am not the only one out there with a slow-eating pre-schooler. Joshua takes hours to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, by which time we are ready for dinner and he doesn't want to eat any. Or, in some instances, Eva will find and the smear it on the couch, floor, and herself, all the while making quizzical noises.

Well, today, I decided to be fun and get some pizzas for our dinner, and since I was at that side of Wal-Mart, I wandered down to the bakery looking for something tasty. There is nothing, I repeat, NOTHING better than an old-fashioned sour cream glazed donut. You know what I am talking about...They are cakey but crisp, and they melt in your mouth...oh yeah...

Well, I decided that I needed four of these, and put them in the cart. Joshua was REALLY excited. Even though he wanted a cherry flavored donut with pink sprinkles, I knew better, and he decided that a donut mom picks is better than no donut at all.

As soon as I had put the yummy treats in a bag, Joshua wanted to hold them, and when I wouldn't let him, he kept going on and on and on about how he wanted one and could he have one PLEASE?

All though the parking lot, and into the car, down the street, into another store, down each aisle, through the register, back into the car, on the road, and finally into our parking lot, into the house he begged and begged for a donut.

After putting Eva in bed, I looked at him seriously and said, firmly,

"You may have a donut after you eat a peanut butter sandwich."

The range of emotions was extraordinary.

Joy, terror, anxiety, frustration and happiness ending with a bright "Okay!"

I made the sandwich, cut it in four pieces, sat down at the computer, and in three minutes flat, Joshua came running up, mouth wide open to show me he had finished his sandwich.

Oh, those magical donuts! I may have to buy more...