"Of Princes and Princesses" by A. E. F.

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved.

I pushed the chiclet-sized blender button with a laugh over my shoulder as they spun in circles, jostling for the cookies and chocolate syrup. Watching the creamy concoction spin with the blades, I licked my lips at the thought of the decadent Oreos crunching into the milkshake.

I am a sucker for Oreos.

"Who wants some?" I asked with a teasing grin when the spinning stopped.

"I do!" He hollered out.

"Me!" She blurted in unison.

"Mom! I want it!" Another exclaimed.

"Settle down, settle down," I tried to reason, over spoons and princess cups. "There's going to be plenty for everyone. We have a lot more cookies and ice cream if I need to make more."

Shaking the popcorn handle next to me, the oldest held the youngest on her hip as his eyes grew round in concert with the rising tin foil on the stove.

"Yeah!" he clapped, as the kernels rhythmically tapped against the aluminum.

Still little, his enthusiasm was contagious. Before long even the seasoned tweens were getting excited.

"Hurry up! It's starting, Mom!" my middle child encouraged from the dining room on her way towards the TV.

"Ok, ok," I reasoned, hustling from one end of the kitchen to the other. "Just a minute. Let me wipe up these spilled milkshake drops from the floor."

Bending over to remedy the situation, I mumbled to myself with the clicking of my aging bones.

"Oiy. I'm like a bowl of wet Rice Krispies."

"Moooommmmmm," I heard them call from the living room. "Come Onnnnn," they giggled.

Grabbing the nearest Disney cup, and a straw, I walked into the dim-lit room and took my place on the couch, ready for an hour or two of cartoon love.