Jessica

I really dislike April Fool's Day as a rule.  I don't think it's very funny to get soaking wet when someone sticks an elastic band around the sink sprayer, especially when I just finished getting ready and have a meeting to get to.  Nor do I find it altogether entertaining when I dry off after a nice, hot shower (that I likely needed for a few days) and find my body suddenly purple thanks to a liberal sprinkling of Koolaid all over the bath towel.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not the only party pooper in the house.  I had one child burst into tears after a sibling tricked her into believing her doll had actually gone potty (he stuck a dried up prune in the doll's diaper).  And another sulk for a full three hours after he realized his brother was only kidding, that we hadn't been robbed by a Lego loving thief, and that in fact, his entire collection of the addicting interlocking plastic bricks were safe and sound in the guest room closet.  

My husband isn't a fan of all the sneaking around and tricking either, so when we read about my friend's No Manners Dinner, we knew it would be the perfect way to celebrate this day of tomfoolery without any mean-spirited pranking. 

First we mixed up the supper routine by fixing breakfast for dinner.  Who doesn't love scrambled eggs, pancakes, and sausage at 6pm?  Nobody, that's who.  Add to that a requirement to eat on and with anything unusual, and you've got yourself a successful April Fool's Day meal.  

Pots, lids, muffin tins, cooling racks, and cutting boards are all fair game in lieu of plates; spatulas, serving spoons, ice cream scoops, a whisk(!), and tongs were all in the line up in place of boring old forks and knives; and pitchers, jam jars, measuring cups, and little bowls replaced our normal glassware.  

The kids thought it was hysterical and want to eat like this every single night, but I don't know; trying to eat my eggs with an oven thermometer was a little too difficult for the everyday -- though, hey, I'd probably shed those last few (dozen) pounds if I were to try!

Find more balance with Jessica at www.balancingeverything.com/.