Mommy Mistake #5432

As I looked in the fridge last night I realized that the fridge fairy never showed up yesterday and we had very slim pickins' in the house. Shocker. So I bravely asked my children what they wanted to eat. That was mistake number one, because although my kids share the same gene pool they all have very different tastes in food. Of course you know the one thing that they finally agreed on, was the ever nutritious Golden Arches. I gave them the task of searching for quarters in the couch and when we gathered enough I packed them in the car for their special meal. As we pull into the drive through I realized I was in trouble, because for whatever reason I thought I could do the penny pinching thing and get one big meal to share with the kids and only spend the $3.00 that I had. Totally forgot about the huge sign displaying the toys that come in the happy meals. How do I talk my kids out of wanting the crappy toys that come in those cute boxes, that only last in the house long enough for my kids to turn their heads so I can sneak them in the trash? And what is with the blue doll? Right now for girls they have mini Madame Alexander dolls in Wizard of Oz garb, and I recognized all but the doll with the blue hair and blue dress. Now I know I slept through parts of the movie, but I don't remember a scary looking lady with blue hair. And I definitely didn't sleep through Wicked (which as a side note was awesome and I wish I could take matty to see it) and there was no blue lady. Did I miss something in the original? Anyway, I knew that I would hear nothing but whining all the way home if we didn't get the toys - but I also knew that there was no way we had the cash. Not that my kids are usually that demanding and whiny, but it was the end of the day and they were all hungry, and I know that I am probably making excuses but please don't email me and give me parenting advice, trust me this is not the week I want to hear it. All this to say that the next time I look in the fridge and think there is nothing for dinner I may re-think the whole asking the kids what they want and let them dine on fishy crackers and applesauce. They would probably just think it is some sort of special occasion and be excited for once to clean their plate :)