Remember that beautiful lovely tumbler I told you about yesterday? Not so much anymore.

Bella bit the straw and now it looks ‘kind of’ chewed up. Where it was smooth and green, now it has jacked up white lines in it. And I’m pissed. I’m really not taking this well AT ALL.

Don’t even act like you can’t see it. You know it’s obvious!

The older I get, the more I realize that I have some very juvenile tendencies. For instance, I DO NOT LIKE TO SHARE. PERIOD. I do not like to share food. So get your own. I do not like to share my space, so do not crowd me. And I really, really, do not like to share my most favorite things, so do not bite them and jack them up!!!!!

We were at softball practice (big shock) and she forgot her water bottle. Unfortunately, I had my brand new lovely, shiny, perfect, totally wonderful Starbucks Tumbler filled to the brim with ice and water. Pat on the back for me, because generally I’m in a state of moderate to severe dehydration. WHICH IS WHY I NEED THIS CUP!

“Bella. Didn’t I tell you to get your water bottle out of the truck, before we left?” I asked anticipating the answer.

“Yeeeesssss.”

“Well, why didn’t you?”

“I don’t know.”

“I know. Because you weren’t paying attention. Now, I can’t drink MY water, because I have to share it with you. And it’s hot outside, and I’m really thirsty. You can have my water, but I am not sitting it on the ground with all your equipment. If you want water, just wave at me, and I’ll bring it out to the field.”

So that is what we did, in order to keep my tumbler safe. During the majority of practice I kept it secure on my lap, stroking it gently, admiring its beauty. Nothing could harm it, no dirt could contaminate its sheen, and no rock could scratch its luster. So the cup and I sat in the stands, and every so often we would walk over to Bella and offer her a drink.

When practice was over, we gathered up her things and started our walk to the car. I thought we were out of the woods, so I handed her the cup and ordered her to drink up. I chatted a bit with the other mother’s, and then jogged ahead to catch up with Warwick because he left earlier.

I heard her take one last slurp, and then she handed ‘it’ to me. It didn’t take long to realize, SHE BIT THE STRAW.

No this child did not just bite the straw on my brand new lovely divine perfectly constructed cup. I never, ever, buy myself anything. And finally I do, and NOT TWO days later it is ruined. I don’t even want to look at it anymore. Crazy bite marks all up at the top. Looks like some chinchilla has been chomping all over my tumbler. Oh, sure I could get another one, but that cup cost $12.95. That is A LOT of money for a cup. And anyway, I’m juvenile remember. I want THAT cup. I want THAT straw, but only without the chewy marks. I want my perfect straw I had this morning when I took the picture. I was so happy then. How did this day go so wrong?

“Bella! Did you bite the straw?” I half yelled, half choked.

“Uuuuuuhhhhhhh. No? “

“OH, YES YOU DID! AND NOW YOU’RE LYING ABOUT IT? Get in the car. And DO NOT say another word to me.” She was smart enough to do as she was told, and we rode home in silence.

Looking back at the incident now. It does seem rather silly. Especially since, after we got home I retreated to my bedroom, face down in my comforter and moaned for about a half hour.

Right before Bella went to bed, she came into my room and manned up to her offense.

“Mommy. I’m really sorry I bit your straw.” She said as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Flashes of light flickered before my eyes. I could see scenes of Bella playing with her sisters and various friends, all different instances where others have broken her very favorite toys. And how did she respond? Always, and I am not kidding, always with the most gracious of “It’s okay. I’m not mad.”

For the love of God, what is wrong with me? Why have I tortured this child so? Sometimes, I’m not any good at this mommy thing. I could definitely learn a lesson or two from my children. The first being SHARE WILLINGLY AND LOVINGLY and the second, well. . . .Always, forgive.

So you can imagine, feeling like a heap load of crap I said,

“It’s okay, Bella. I’m not mad at you. I know you didn’t mean it. It’s okay, really. I love you.”

“Okay,” she mumbled as she hugged me tight and walked off to bed.

So now I’m stuck with a straw that has a crazy white mark in it, that I will wear as a badge of shame for not wanting to share, not forgiving fast enough, and for not being understanding when she bit the straw. After all, there was absolutely no way she could have known she was going to screw up my straw if she bit it. And truthfully, if I were to be honest, I had to stop myself a few times, before I chomped on it.

My brain is tired. I think I need some chocolate.

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Easy Chocolate Pancakes

These pancakes are super light and fluffy, with just the right amount of chocolate flavor. They are not super sweet, so if you have a super sweet tooth you’ll enjoy a little syrup. Trying adding a really ripe banana for chocolate covered banana pancakes. Mmmmmmmm.

Ingredients:

2 cups Bisquick
1/3 cup cocoa (unsweetened)
1 TB sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 TB lemon juice

Directions:

1. In a medium sized bowl mix all dry ingredients until combined.
2. Add milk, eggs, and lemon juice and whisk until moistened. The batter will be slightly lumpy.
3. Heat skillet or griddle on medium heat. When it is hot, pour 1/4 cup of batter into skillet and cook about 1-2 minutes per side, or when edges are dry.
4. Flip and cook until golden, about 1-2 minutes longer.
5. Dust with powdered sugar, and serve with syrup.