Breakfast with the Characters

No, we are not at Disney World – although a Florida vacation sounds amazing right now with all this gloomy New York weather. This is my new Mickey Mouse waffle iron. I write a lot about how my children, and kids in general, like novelty and ingenuity when it comes to food. I enjoy being in the kitchen so I am usually happy to oblige if it makes mealtime more enjoyable.

Breakfast, however, has never been my strength. I am not one to eat in the mornings. Growing up, I would take a handful of cereal as I ran out the door to school. Now, on most days, I will usually choke down a hard boiled egg or a piece of fruit before going to the gym. My kids seem to be following suit. They have never been enthusiastic about breakfast options, despite the array of selections I have presented them with. Pumpkin pancakes, creme brulee french toast, banana muffins have all been met with hesitation and disregard. Even bagels are tossed from their plates.

Typically, I just remove their meal and sulk about the failure of my hard work. Despite my own disregard, I recognize that breakfast is a very important meal, especially for their growing bodies. And so I persevere in hopes of changing their attitude towards this morning ritual.

Unsurprisingly, Bryce and Brody have never really cared much for waffles – both frozen and fresh, with syrup and berries and without. This little tool has been a breakfast game changer for us. They wake up requesting Mickey Mouse waffles and like little sadists, enjoy biting off his ears and chewing through his head.

Unlike most character waffle makers, this actually cooks a more traditional waffle with the little dips for syrup, instead of a flat pancake-like shape. I tend to like conventions.

Maybe it is gimmicky but 4 minutes in the machine, clean plates and sticky fingers say it’s worth it.