Escape from Pancakeatraz!

I texted my husband today to let him know that today is my least favourite day of the year. He reminded me that I said the same thing last year, so it must be true.

I used to love Pancake Tuesday as a child. The excitement of having pancakes, a rare occurrence,  a special treat. I remember going back into school the next day and everyone sharing the number of pancakes they ate. I remember being introduced to vanilla ice-cream on pancakes by close family friends. A game-changer. Delicious.  Pancakes were joyful. Pancakes were something to look forward to. 

Notice the use of past tense, Pancake Tuesday is now a day I'd happily skip! 

As an aside, we can have pancakes on other random days throughout the year and it's a no stress event but this day, the Tuesday of the pancakes is a day that I could happily scratch off the calendar for eternity! 

Pancake Tuesday is very different in our home because of Prader Willi Syndrome.

The Lodger becomes fixated on pancakes. It's a day that has nothing else going on.

Halloween has fancy dress. Christmas has presents. Easter has the Easter PWS friendly hunt. 

Pancake Tuesday just has pancakes. There's nothing else for The Lodger to think about, so pancakes become the only thing to think about.  

It's a day I feel we are all trapped in a pancake nightmare. Pancake questions. Pancake talk. Pancakes. Pancakes. Pancakes! 

On high anxiety days, The Lodger wakes early and as predicted he woke early this morning all set for a highlighted day of his year.

'Mum, I'm making Happy Pancake Day cards!' 

'Mum, I'm going to do lots of pancake art this morning before school.' 

'Mum, Pancakes are the best things.' 

'Mum, don't forget the pancake,'

'Mum, did you make the mixture?

'Mum, where is it?'

'Mum, I'll just check the fridge'

'Mum, it's there!' 

'Mum, can't wait for the pancake later.'

'Mum, did you remember there is a pancake  for afternoon snack?'

'Mum did you make the school pancake?'

'Mum, don't forget my lunch for school and the pancake!'

'Mum, is the pancake in the bag?'

'Mum, this is the best day- a pancake day!'

'Mum, it's a two pancake day!'

'Mum, I'll see you later for the next pancake!'

For the first time, The Lodger is having a pancake in school with his friends. 

Of course there was a lengthy pro/con list made as to whether The Lodger should have a pancake in school but we decided that The Lodger will love it, joining his friends having a pancake just like them. 

Of course his pancake was sent in from home due to the portion controlled diet that he follows. Negotiations were made yesterday which he happily accepted. A half sandwich at lunch to allow for the pancake in school and a promise that he could have another pancake for afternoon snack, as its Pancake Tuesday at home too.

There are days we rock the boat but this was one day we allowed the boat to continue sailing. 

Due to his extraordinary memory, if we rocked the boat this year, he'd have heightened anxiety next year that we'd continue to rock the boat and on a food themed day, sometimes it's just easier to keep the boat afloat.

He'll have his afternoon snack pancake at approximately 3.30pm today. 

At 3.35pm, we'll escape Pancakeatraz and go swimming......