is it snack time?

It’s painfully obvious that hubby and I need to pursue a new career. Or at least a part-time one that would better provide for the four hungry mouths that make up part of this family.

We need to start farming.

Keep in mind we already plant a rather large garden and this year even raised chickens to butcher. We apparently need to add to the crops and livestock. I draw the line at a milk cow, but I don’t think hubby would be opposed to goats.

It’s getting to be almost ridiculous - one chicken is no longer enough for all of us, unless I have at least three vegetables along with it, plus bread and maybe even something for dessert. We should have raised 50 this year instead of just 25.

No matter how many times I see it with my own eyes, I still cannot believe how much these kids of ours can eat. Even the two-year-old packs away more food in a meal than I could ever attempt to gag down. Last week he had third helpings of beef stew, even after gobbling down two dinner rolls and a heaping helping of fried cabbage. Last night Boy #3 actually broke a bowl trying to dish himself more wild rice soup. (I have no idea if it was seconds or thirds, but either way I wasn’t very happy.)

But, in spite of all of this food consumption, the thing that is really driving me crazy are the endless questions about snacks.

“Is it snack time?” (15 minutes after breakfast.)
“Is it snack time yet?” (Two minutes later.)

The only good thing is that at least two of them have learned to tell time, just by trying to figure out when snack time actually is. The trouble is that the time varies in direct proportion to how easily they wear me down with their incessant questions about snacks or what they can have for a snack. Some days, snack time has come as early as 8:30 am just because the only time the house is quiet when four boys are eating.

After lunch, we start the same routine all over again. I’m starting to seriously wonder if they’re all carrying some sort of tapeworm.

Half an hour after consuming an ungodly amount of food for lunch - trust me you wouldn’t believe me if I told you - they’re already starting in.

“Can I have a snack?”
“When can I have a snack?”
“Is it snack time?”

What I need is a snack laced with tryptophan, or some other tranquilizer that would put them to sleep for an hour so I could either work uninterrupted or take a nap. I’m sure there is something out there that would fit the bill, but my guess is it’s only used in zoos. Wait - this place would qualify!

There is no physical way that these boys could actually be hungry for a snack, so their desire to have one has got to be coming from somewhere else. Gluttony perhaps? If they know there is candy in the cupboard, they are much more likely to beg for snacks. It’s as if they feel they’re entitled to that snack, simply because they exist and the snack exists in the cupboard.

Although I suppose many of us have a love-hate relationship with food and/or snacks like chips, pop and ice cream. We want them even though we know they aren’t terribly good for us. They just taste good. And we usually eat them regardless of whether we’re actually hungry or not.

It’s like something clicks in our brains telling us - “It’s snack time!” - and off we go to the fridge or freezer or convenience store to find chocolate, candy or a mocha latte.

So I am not all that different from my kids - only slightly more economically capable (I can purchase my own snacks) and slightly better at justifying why I need snack time (Of course I’m worth it.) Speaking of that, I believe there is a cinnamon chip scone calling my name.

Isn’t it snack time?