Peas and Carrots

I don’t really understand what this phrase means: "peas and carrots". And I always hear Forrest Gump in my head when I think about it. Not that I’m thinking about this phrase often...no worries.

And just to clarify…this is not so much about the peas. Just the carrots. I couldn’t think of anything else clever that included the word “carrots” (I’ll make my point eventually…just hold your horses…which is another phrase I don’t understand but I don’t have time to ruminate on it right now).

As I've previously mentioned, the PBA pack their own lunches for Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. On the other days, they do make their lunches themselves as well, only not ones which have to be transported anywhere.

The other major difference between the two is that on Monday afternoons, they prepare the lunches for the next three days.

Now, I TRY to be hands off. I don't criticize how one puts all his PB and jelly in the center of the bread, leaving the rest plain (YUCK-O) or how the other one puts the incorrect ratio of PB to jelly on his...there is WAY too much jelly and not NEARLY enough peanut butter.

Or that we don’t know how to spread marshmallow fluff on a fluffernutter.

Or if we think bologna without cheese or mustard is delicious.

Or if we think two paltry slices of lunchmeat a sandwich makes.

Or that we think it’s a major crisis if we fail to remember a “dessert” in our lunch.

Actually, I do understand that. It is a crisis. Fortunately my boss keeps a stash of chocolate in her desk which is fair game to me as well.

At least I hope so.

Maybe I should check on that.

Anyway…I try not to criticize how they do their lunches. If they are concerned that any of it is sub-par, they will improve it on their own.  At least they should.

Actually they might complain about it first, at which point I will point out (rather astutely, I might add) that it is on their shoulders, as they are the ones making said lunches.

But again…I don’t say anything. You may not believe me but I speak truth.

OK so I don’t USUALLY say anything. Sometimes a comment must be made.

I one area I DO stick my nose in is the amount of veggies they pack for themselves. Typically the 11yo packs baby carrots. He doesn’t like much else in the “fresh veggies” category. Except salad…he’ll eat salad like a champ. But no way will he make a salad for his lunch.

The 10yo is marginally better…he will eat carrots (though not his favorite), as well as cherry or grape tomatoes (yes, I know they are technically fruit, which he likes to remind me and his brother of virtually every week, “Look, I got TWO fruit in my lunch and NO veggies.”), or any shade of bell pepper.

Regardless (Notice I did not say "irregardless" because that is not a word…people use it all the time but I am here to let you know that it is not.a.word.) neither one does a great job of packing enough veggies. So after they are finished, I usually go in the kitchen behind them and surreptitiously (yes, in case you were wondering, I do L.O.V.E. that word. I encourage each one of you to work it into a conversation today. Once you do, I assure you that you’ll be hooked and will try to work it into any and every conversation) add more veggies to their bags.

Not to worry…it’s not an excess…it’s just so’s (yes, I intended to say “so’s”…also not a word but hey – it’s artistic license. Don’t judge.) we get about two veggies servings at lunch if at all possible. It’s not that our “plate” is as balanced as it should be (remember…no more “food pyramid” …it’s a plate now), but we try. At least two veggies and one fruit.

So…this is the original bag o’carrots:

And this is the post-mom intervention bag o’carrots:

For the record, this is a snack-size bag…not the full sandwich bag. Because that would be getting a little bit crazy. And I’m pretty sure they would refuse to eat that many.

I know I would. In fact, if it gets to be Thursday and there are only enough veggies for their lunches and not enough for mine, I let them have them all. I’m a giver…what can I say?

And no, as far as I can recall (and I’ve been doing this for a while) no one has ever objected. I’m not sure if it’s that they haven’t noticed (which is highly likely), or they realize that they were busted and if they call attention to it, there might be some consequences…better to eat the additional veggies and try to keep things on the DL.

More than likely it is the latter which is going on. I don’t care what you say about them…they are bright.

And yes, I do the same stealthy moves on the 10yo…I just forgot to get pictures of his. Plus, I couldn’t figure out a clever way to work it into the title. “Peas and Carrots” was better than “Tomatoes and Carrots”.

Priorities, you know.

With that…have a fabulous day!