Page 76 of Returning to Everton

“Moooommy!! What’s taking so long with the snacks?!” Violet screams from the living room.

Quinn and I share a look then burst out laughing. Honestly, I’m surprised we lasted this long.

“To be continued,” Quinn demands.

“Of course. Now, what else are we gonna have to snack on?” We look around the pantry and find some chips and dip, so we grab them and go to check the fridge.

Quinn raids the freezer while I search the fridge. “Oh, pizza rolls!” Quinn squeals. I laugh at her excitement over the mini lava bites.

“Yes, Violet loves those. They’re a staple in our house. Get a cookie sheet and cook them in the oven. I normally cook them in the microwave for Violet’s lunch, but everyone knows they’re better in the oven,” I tell her. “Oh, goody we have sprite and grenadine! Let’s have Shirley Temples!”

“Oh my god! It’s been so long since I’ve had one of those! We used to drink them all the time, remember?” Quinn reminds me as she gets the cookie sheet out and covers it in foil.

“Yes, that was our favorite drink. We felt so grown-up ordering one. It made us feel like we were ordering a special drink,” I recall fondly. “You know, I don’t know if Violet has ever had one before.”

Quinn looks at me like I’ve committed a sin. “Violet!! Get in here sweet girl!” she hollers.

Violet comes running into the kitchen. “What? Where’s my snacks?” she demands in her cute little voice and I have to suppress a giggle.

“Have you ever had a Shirley Temple?” Quinn questions my daughter.

Violet crinkles her eyebrows and tilts her head. “What’s that? Is it a snack? ‘Cause I’m hungry, so I guess I could try one,” she says, but she doesn’t sound convinced.

Quinn and I both shake our heads at her. “No sweetie. It’s a drink, not a snack. And you’re gonna love it. I can’t believe I haven’t made you one before.”

I get three glasses down and fill them about three-fourths full of sprite then pour a healthy dose of grenadine and mix it all up. I go digging through the fridge to see if we happen to have any cherries to go with it, and I luck out. I put a couple in each glass, then hand one to Violet.

“Here, try this,” I encourage her.

She takes the cup from me and takes a tentative sip. “Mmmm this is good! It’s so sweet Mommy!” She gulps the rest of her drink and Quinn and I laugh at her exuberance.

“Alright Vi, tonight is a girl’s night. That means dinner is all snacks! We’ve got pizza rolls in the oven,” I look at Quinn to make sure she put them in the oven while I was making the drinks. When she nods, I continue, “chips and dip, cheese sticks, pigs-in-a-blanket, and popcorn with chocolate. Then for dessert, we’ve got some cupcakes we can make. What do you think?” I ask Violet.

“Sounds great Mommy! I love finger foods! Can I have some more Shirley Temple pleeeease?” She holds her cup out in front of her and pouts her bottom lip.

I chuckle as I take her cup and make her another. “What movie did you pick, Bug?”

“Frozen!” she squeals. Of course, because we totally have not seen that movie enough. I don’t know why I keep letting her pick.

“Another Frozen marathon?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

“It’s my favorite Mommy!” she sasses me and I shake my head.

“I know it is sweetie. Let me get the cheese sticks started in the fryer and we’ll start the movie,” I tell her.

We all get settled on the couch and start the movie, when I realize I don’t have any throw blankets on my couch. Oh well, I’ll just have to magic us some. I close my eyes and picture the blankets I want. They’re the soft fuzzy ones that are the best for curling up and watching a movie. I make Violet a rainbow blanket, Quinn a purple one, and a blue one for myself. No sharing blankets for us. Someone always hogs the blanket then I get cold. My blue magic covers the three of us then once it dissipates, we’re covered in our new blankets.

“That’s so cool Mommy! I can’t wait until I learn how to do that!” Violet exclaims.

“You’ll be able to do it soon sweet girl don’t worry. You’re a fast learner. I can’t wait to see all the stuff you learn how to do from school. In fact, maybe now that you’ve got teleporting down, we’ll start working on manifesting. Would you like that?”

“Oh! Can we Mommy? Please?!” she begs me.

“Of course, but are we having movie night or magic practice?” I tease her.

She looks at Quinn, who just cocks her brow at her. “Magic practice!” she declares.

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