On Black Friday, my sister-in-law, Laura, and I like to go shopping. It’s been a tradition of hers for a long time, and these last few years I’ve joined in. We’ll strategize our trip the evening before (after feasting, of course); cut out coupons, see if something we want will magically metamorphize into something we need, plan the best route to avoid crazies (‘cause we’re not crazy, just smart; waking up early to shop is a vacation for two stay-at-home moms that wake up early to WORK every day anyway), and then eat pie.

During our 2013 trip (I’m pretty sure but the hormones that were flooding my brain at that time may be making my memory fuzzy) Laura bought a new griddle. As their now old griddle was still in working order, we happily brought it home with us.

Since then, I’ve used it to make pancakes pretty much every weekend; most times dark chocolate chips join the party too. When I first started, I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait for the day when the girls would be able to eat them with us. I actually think it’s to the point, now, where if they could fully articulate it, they’d say, “MOOOOM, ENOUGH WITH THE FREAKING PANCAKES!”

Ah well.