April Fooled

As my head hit the pillow last night, I wondered what I should do to fool my children on April Fool’s Day. We had not discussed the dubious holiday, but they should learn what it is before they are taught the hard way.

I thought about telling them that they needed a new vaccine for some sort of made up virus – and then taking them to the ice cream shop instead. But, I quickly realized that the psychotherapy would cost more than the ice cream. I needed a better plan.

This morning I made purple pancakes (food coloring) with chocolate chips. To my knowledge, my children have never had pancakes with chocolate chips. I decided long ago that it was a slippery slope. But, hey, if aliens put them in there, what is a poor mom to do?

Andrew walked in just as I put the first dollop in the pan.

“Mom, what are you making for breakfast?”

“Uh, well, I was just making pancakes, but then some aliens from Jupiter appeared and turned them purple. It was really weird.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. You didn’t happen to see them, did you??”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I did see one,” Andrew calmly acknowledged.

My husband and I exchanged glances.

“Really?” I asked, sincerely intrigued.

“Yes. There was one in my room. He looked human enough and was wearing a top hat. Then, all of the sudden, his head popped off and hung itself in my closet.”

There was a pause. My children leave me speechless all too often. Finally, my husband, under his breath, said “HAVE some, Mama.” Which, in a semi-macho football-esque sort of way translates into “touché.”

“Uh, April Fool’s!” I said lamely.

We both looked at Andrew, enjoying his purple chocolate chip pancakes.

“I think you won this one,” my husband said to him.

“Yes,” I agreed. Then, to my husband said, “But you are going to have to check his closet before you leave for work.”