Drive-Thru Sanity
In a moment of sheer I-just-can't-take-the-squabbling-anymore-today desperation, I did what I do about once a week. I strapped the boys into their car seats and steered our way to McDonald's. I call these trips "drive-thru sanity". Somehow, I'm able to regain a good measure of mental stability between the click of the car seat straps and a good-bye wave to the golden arches.
I ordered "the usual":
Double Cheeseburger (for the boys to share): $1
2 small fries (one for me; one for the boys): $1 x 2
1 four-piece Chicken McNuggets (for me): $1
1 large sweet tea (for me): $1
3 chocolate chip cookies (I intend to share them with the boys, but the chocoholic in me usually eats them all.): $1
It's a happy little $6 meal. I have, over time, crafted this combination because it produces the least amount of waste, and it seems to be just the right amount of food for the three of us real-food eaters.
We sit in the parking lot and play "I Spy", listen to "Daydream Believer" by The Monkees (the boys' current fave), and eat our nutritionally balanced and healthy meal.
Today, I ordered "the usual". Only, I forgot to ask for the usual "extras". You know, the sometimes quirky, sometimes not things you want that the window person always seems utterly annoyed to have to get for you. In my case, they are honey (for my nuggets), salt (for my french fries), and an extra cup of ice (for my sweet tea).
As I sat nibbling on my food and debating whether or not to sit through the drive-thru line again, I came to a surprising realization. I don't like Chicken McNuggets without honey, french fries without extra salt, or sweet tea without an extra cup of ice. I finished my meal, lest it go to waste, but I didn't enjoy it like I normally do.
So, maybe I should alter "the usual" and forego the nuggets, fries, and tea. I'll save our family $3/week and my body a boatload of fat and calories; 'cause from what I can tell, a packet of honey, a packet of salt, and a cup of ice is all I really want anyway.
Well, and chocolate chip cookies. The sanity reclaiming power of chocolate should never, ever be underestimated.
very cute! i too love the $ menu. my 3 little ones split a plain cheeseburger, 4 piece nugget and medium fries. what i get depends on what pregnancy-induced craving i have. (either burger or grilled chicken club) so ... we prob. spend more like $10, but it's still nice:)
ReplyDeleteHa! This made me giggle bc I DO THE SAME THING! Although our "usual" varies from mood to mood. My little guy loves the fries and I love the nuggets as well-honey or no honey! :)
ReplyDeleteIf only Mickey D's knew how they aid us in reclaiming our sanity!
I do this ALL THE TIME! Put 'em in the van so they're strapped in...except I with there was a 3rd row so then NONE of them could touch each other :)
ReplyDeleteI love the name "drive thru sanity" - I'm totally steali...I mean, borrowing that! :)
ReplyDelete"The sanity reclaiming power of chocolate should never, ever be underestimated."
This needs to be made into flair! HAHA
Forgot to add: we do a similiar meal - 10 pc nuggets for Q and E to share, a cheeseburger for C (I know! And he was only at 20 lbs on his 18mon dr visit!!!), 1 lg fry, and a snack wrap for me....not as cheap as yours, but its the sanity I crave, not the savings! HAHA
ReplyDeleteThat is great! I am now wanting some sweet tea. Hmmm. The power of suggestion.
ReplyDeleteSee this is why I wish we lived closer to each other... I would totally join you for a drive thru sanity date... they work wonders for us as well. We prefer Chick-Fil-A ourselves...but the golden arches are a close second. :-)
ReplyDeleteStrapped-in, contented children and chocolate. Yep. That's totally a dose of mommy sanity right there.
ReplyDeleteSomething to make you laugh. We were out of chocolate in the house and I wanted some for my mid-afternoon snack the other day. So I took Hershey*s syrup and dipped Ted.dy Grahams in them. Because I just needed the chocolate that much. I suppose it's better than pouring it directly into my mouth. LOL!!! "I can just hear you getting fatter." Movie, movie??? (I know you know.)
I hear ya, I made a run for a coke today while at work. I didn't quite work for me either...I forgot the cookies :(
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Mmmm-mmmm...Micky D's cheeseburgers are my favorite. The only thing I really craved while pregnant. Otherwise, we prefer Chick Fil-A. But, oh the quietness food can bring. Except now Sierra is constantly saying, "Yummy, ummy, ummy!" Over and over and over. Very fun for you! If it works, why not!?
ReplyDeleteWell written...you are just too cute!
ReplyDeleteMy sanity saver is a drive-in instead. I buckle up the girls, grab a magazine, and head to Sonic mid-morning. I get the girls a kid-size ice water, a diet dr pepper for me, then sit back and read my magazine in peace with the windows rolled down. The girls will sit in the back just talking and giggling. Funny how the simplest things can bring so much contentment:)
ReplyDeletei used to take my kids to the golden arches once a week. but we wouldn't just drive thru. we would go in and i'd let them play in the playground. sometimes i'd have a book with me, but most of the time i'd just sit and watch and enjoy the break. that helped keep my sanity.
ReplyDeleteyou are so funny!
ReplyDeletethe mac shack (otherwise known as McDonalds) has the BEST fries. Ever! I try to avoid going there though for the expanding waistline and bottom factor.
chocolate chip cookies are a food group of their own in my mind- YUM!
Never underestimate the power of chocolate!!!! It relieves stress, calms emotions, and is just plain comforting! I didn't know McD's had cookies---something new to try!!! Our standards come off the dollar menu (there or at Wendy's which snack wraps totally are in a different class than McD's IMO). Izzy now eats a whole cheeseburger and french fries- how does that child stay so thin????
ReplyDeleteYou only go once a week?! We're regulars there. :-/
ReplyDeleteSometimes the drive thru can be soooo theraputic. You dont have to cook, everyone is strapped, mommy gets to sit on her butt, and everyone is quiet while they chew! It can be heavenly...LOL! I never touched a McD's till I had children....now it becomes one of their first words!!LOL!
ReplyDeleteLove ya...wish you were closer:-(
Wow, I am very impressed with your six dollar meal. Keep it...you deserve a break today.
ReplyDelete