Along with the transformation comes Christmas music videos on continual loops, Santa hats, reindeer toys, and everything Rudolph. Rudolph noses, Rudolph plates and cups, Rudolph stickers and Rudolph pancakes. Yes, I was asked to honor the most celebrated reindeer in history with a pancake portrait.
It is hard for me to turn down a challenge from a four year old so I accepted and started brain storming. I had some concerns since I would rank my artistic ability as "non-existent". I watched some YouTube videos on pancake art and just laughed at the incredible talent that I had to compete with. The videos made me anxious. How was I going to keep my "hero" status if I screwed up a Rudolph pancake for Father Christmas himself?
The pressure was on. I turned on the griddle, measured out the ingredients and let the kids mix them up. My best chance of success was to create a diversion. I grabbed the chocolate chips and made sure the attention was on how many chocolate chips they would get on their pancake. This is a great tactic to lower the standards of a two and four year old.
I started outlining the reindeer on the griddle. Father Christmas was watching me work with eyes wide open. He barked out a few orders and demands. A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. I just finished the outline and Father Christmas exclaimed "That looks like a dolphin!" I was doomed! I just ignored the outburst and continued my work. I threw some antler looking things on the "dolphin" and filled in the main area of the face.
After cooking for a few minutes and praying that baby Jesus would let me flip this thing without incident I grabbed the spatula. Everything went into slow motion. The biggest challenge of my life was upon me. I could go from hero to zero with one small flick of the wrist. I slid the spatula under the dolphin with antlers pancake, gently raised the corner and quickly but smoothly flipped that flap jack like a pro. Everything stayed intact. Thank you lord. I received a standing ovation from Father Christmas and Sister Elf. I am still able to carry my torch as the best dad ever.
I threw on some chocolate chips for eyes and a mouth and a strawberry represented the shiny red nose. It was smiles all around. Now I had to make a second one for Sister Elf.....
