Entry FeedThis season brings something new to me as a parent - snacks for sports teams.
When I was a kid, I remember getting cut up oranges at soccer half time, freezes after T-ball, and donuts after curling. Snacks are a little more complicated now.
First, I am not ever sure that the kids need the snacks. I remember one mother a few years ago who actually followed her child around gymnastics with a juice box and goldfish... did she have low blood sugar or something? It was a 50 minute class! Most of these sports are taking place in the evening after dinner. I don't usually give my kids a snack between dinner and bed. Before this whole idea of bringing snack, I would just make sure my kids had water.
Now I sign up for a snack night, and it is wrought with peril. No peanuts or products which may have come in contact with peanuts. Green please - only reusable packaging. Individually wrapped items only. Confused? Me too!
Last week at Son One's T-Ball a parent brought frozen Oreo ice cream sandwiches. Unfortunately, they didn't bring enough and Son One didn't get one. Another time at T-ball a parent brought a huge assortment of individually packaged goodies - kids were leaving with three and four items! And there was even pop for the coaches.
Last night was my turn to bring snack for Son Two's soccer team. I asked him for advice. He wanted carrots and apple juice. I brought juice boxes, raisins, cut up watermelon, and individual wrapped rice crispie squares. I also brought a bag for garbage, and wet wipes. Yes, I was trying to win the best snack prize.
One mother told me that I brought too much. However, most of the food was gone. Except the raisins. Raisins were the economic choice, at $2 for a package of 14. But even as I was packing the snack bag, Son Two commented that he hates raisins and they would be for the other kids, right?
I had two takers on the raisins. Almost everyone grabbed a juice box and a rice crispie treat (in fact, it was a box of 24 for a team of 14, and I came home with 2) and most kids grabbed some watermelon. There was even a little sister of one of the players who had at least 4 slices of watermelon. But the raisins just weren't popular.
Why do raisins get such a bum deal? They are sweet and juicy and plump. People don't seem to mind them in trail mix, but add them to baked goods or try to serve them on their own, and forget about it!
Maybe this will remind us all about how we used to love raisins...
Oh yeah, baby! Now you remember those California Raisins.
Raisins ruin everything.