Jelly Sandwich Debate

Having kids is costly. Having 4...well it's astronomical.

Normally every 3-4 months we will have an argument about who is going to eat what, I don't want it, it's not my favorite. The past few days, however, have been an exceptional challenge with Brenna's eating "habits". She hasn't wanted to eat a morsel put in front of her...which led to pretty much the same argument for 3 days in a row.

Me: Jaxom, Brenna, Gunnar, Odin....LUNCH
   You can hear the horde come running from the couch, down the stairs, from under the stairs, and a toilet flush.
Me: Please sit at the table. Sit at the table...which part did you not understand...Sit? At? The? or Table? well then SIT AT THE TABLE!
   You can hear the chairs what once had rubber stoppers grind along the stone floor...almost in unison.
Me: Odin, Grape or Strawberry?
Odin : I don't want jelly
Me: You just want bread?
Odin: No, I want pasta.
Me: Well...you get a sandwich. Grape or Strawberry?
Odin: Strawberry
Me: Gunnar, Grape or Strawberry?
Gunnar: Both.
Me: Brenna, Grape or Strawberry?
Brenna: I don't want a sandwich.
Me: You're not hungry?
Brenna: NO, I want pasta
Me: You get a sandwich. Grape or Strawberry?
Brenna: I want pasta.
Me: Well that's not how this works...you don't get a choice on what you eat...just the flavor. Grape or Strawberry.
Brenna: I want pasta.
Me: (remember to breathe)Grape, Strawberry or nothing?
Brenna decides to pout.
Me: Jaxom, Grape or Strawberry?
Jaxom: Aw sandwiches?
Me: How long have you been sitting there?
Jaxom: I dunno
Me: Did you come in with the others?
Jaxom: yeah
Me: Did you hear what was said with Odin and Brenna?
Jaxom: yeah (with a less subtle whine)
Me: Grape or Strawberry
Jaxom: Awww

So I decide to walk away...

Brenna: Can Jaxom and me have something different?
Me: No, I am not making 5 meals! I am not making enough for 6 only for your father and I to eat it, and I am certainly not indulging you to make a choice of your own that I just told your other brothers no too. Help me understand why it is that your younger 2 brothers can accept that they are not going to win this argument...but you 2 haven't!
Jaxom: Grape
Brenna: I wanted pasta
Me: Jaxom, come and get your plate.
Brenna: where's mine?
Me: where's your  what?
Brenna: My food?
Me: The offer expired while you were whining about pasta.
Brenna: Can I have strawberry?

I applaud Justin, he has had to endure this conversation every single day for summer break. I don't know how he does it.