A grandmother is a mother who has a second chance

Sunday, March 16, 2008

SANPs (Senior Adults No Peeps)

As with most families we have our Easter traditions. Sure, there's a ham on the table. And Portuguese beans - from my husband's side. The kids hunt for eggs in the front yard, there are Easter decorations a-plenty around the house. And we all eat too much (that's pretty much a given for every holiday!).

But Ed's primary tradition, the one that makes his little eyes light up, is getting his annual stash of Peeps. Those disgustingly sweet little baby chicken-looking things that comes in all colors and have beady eyes. Fleur de Lisa mentioned them in her blog today. She's not a fan, either.



Ed, however, loves them. His mom would always bring over a couple of boxes. His kids would bring some. I would buy some. He'd put the boxes in the freezer and pop one or two in his mouth periodically. A couple of years ago I made the HUGE mistake of telling him about the Peeps website and the "dueling-peeps" video. He, of course, had to try it. So he put two yellow peeps on a paper plate (needless to say the paper plate was my idea) and stuck toothpicks into their bodies. Turned on the microwave and watched them puff up and start magically waving their toothpicks swords. Small problem - he hadn't placed them properly on the paper plate so they weren't facing each other. Instead they were courageously fighting the sides of the microwave! Brave little marshmallow soldiers that they were. Then they puffed up a bit too much and collapsed on themselves. A puddle of colored marshmallow with two little toothpicks sticking out. Ed had to try again. They had to battle each other!!

Round two - this time with a purple and a pink Peep. This time they were placed properly. This time the toothpicks actually did duel! For about 2 seconds. Then the meltdown occurred. Ed thought it was totally cool. I gave him a patronizing grin and left the room. He gleefully cleaned up the melted marshmallow splatters from the bottom and sides of the microwave. Experiment successful.

Another fun thing is to freeze them and drop them on something hard watching them shatter like a crystal vase. Oh, yes, we tried that, too. Outside. Such fun. Ed and the ants had a great time.

After Ed's angioplasty and stenting last year, he's been much more conscious of his health. Now he's trying to lose wait and change his diet to control his blood sugar. That means no more Peeps. Now, when I look in the freezer, I don't see boxes of bright colors and little pleading eyes. No more fun experiements. No more "just one before bed". No more marshmallow messes. Ed's feeling a little melancholy about the whole thing. Maybe I'll buy him the Peeps Magic Light-Up Chick as a lasting memento.

10 comments:

Melissa said...

I used to like the taste of peeps, but the last time I tried them, I guess my tastes have changed. I did see the stuffed ones though in the store. something tells me that wont do it for him

Jenni said...

Perhaps I'll get him a stuffed one from Target. Then he can have Peepy love all year round!

namaste said...

i tried these once, blech! i guess it's an acquired taste. ;)

Patty said...

I haven't tried peeps in a long time, but will admit I love those chocolate marshmellow eggs that come in the egg cartons.

Mary P Jones (MPJ) said...

I popped over for a visit from Chatti Patti's blog. Oo, those Peeps are nasty -- I didn't even like them as a kid. (But I do have a weakness for Cheez Whiz, so who am I to talk!) Still, I have to admit I am tempted to buy them now just to see them duel.

Chris said...

I love the little guys. I let them sit out a few days and then they are all crunchy. Poor guy! I'd sure miss my peeps. ;)

Just Laura said...

I'll eat maybe one or two a year. We have several stuffed around the house too - it's actually kind of nice to see them year round.

Unknown said...

I cringe every time I see them. But I did do Peeps jousting one year. It was a blast!

Chatterness said...

oooooooooo....those Peeps are my mother's favorites! Easter is NOT Easter without Peeps!! I am sooooo sorry Ed cannot have 'em anymore! I have the visual of them transforming in the microwave! Too funny! Happy Easter!

tunia said...

awwww.... :(
Let him have a few, he can exercise em out!