Warm Fuzzies

Every one and a while, the stars align, the heavens open, the angels sing and the impossible happens...you have a lovely dinner with your children.

I know! You've all heard of the mythical "perfect family dinner" scenario, but as much as you wished for it, you weren't sure whether or not it truly existed. Well, my friends, I'm here to tell you, it does exist. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it can make even the most cynical mother all gooey inside.

Picture it: A weekend at the cabin. Dinner time on Saturday night. The menu (an integral component of the "PFD"): mesquite rubbed t-bone steak, grilled to perfection; seared scallops with a Chardonnay butter sauce; wilted spinach; mashed potatoes; and for dessert, peanut butter M&M cookies. The food turned out perfectly. The children sat at the table, looked at their plates, grabbed their forks and...wait for it...ate. Not only did they eat, they tried everything; they did not whine; they did not complain; they were utterly pleasant; they said "please"; they said "thank you"; they finished their food; they asked for more food; they did not spill anything. It was absolute dinner nirvana.

After dinner, we sent the kids downstairs to watch cartoons for a little bit. My husband, the baby and I sat in the living room, reading our books and basking in the PFD afterglow.

It was good. It was great. I can only hope it happens again...sometime in the next 3 1/2 years.