Better than Papa K Cakes

When it comes to the Wheeler Family, breakfast is undoubtedly the favorite meal of the day. In fact, we love breakfast foods so much that we justify eating them anytime. Waffles, pancakes, crepes, oatmeal, breakfast burritos, omelettes--they are our staples, no matter what country we find ourselves in. And yet, there is one signature breakfast dish that tops them all--Papa K Cakes.

At different points in time, Papa K Cakes have gone by many different names. Officially, I think they may be called German pancakes or "Puff-oven Pancakes." Jason's Mom, however called them "Pop-up Pancakes" since they pop up so nicely when you bake them. All of the kids, however, misunderstood them to be "Popeye pancakes." The name evolved with the next generation when Brooklyn dubbed them "Papa K cakes" in honor of her Grandpa--Papa Kay. (Like the breakfast treat, he is also warm, squishy, and occasionally full of hot-air.)

Anytime we ask the girls, particularly Brooklyn, what she would like to eat, she invariably says that she wants Papa K Cakes--no matter what time of day it is. This morning was an extra special morning because she and her Daddy made Papa K cakes together--with whipped cream. (Speaking of which, we can't actually get our cream to whip here in France, but I guess that's another story.)

You see, Brooklyn and Jason were enjoying a very relaxed morning together baking since we thought there was no school this morning, as Brooklyn came home with a note on Tuesday telling all about the teacher's strike that would be taking place today. (Such "grèves" (strikes) really are quite common in France.) Well, just as they were putting the Papa K cakes in the oven, Jason looked out the window and noticed hordes of school kids parading towards the building after all.

By this time, it was 8:28 am. School here in France officially starts at 8:30, but you have until 8:40 to get your children in the door. If you arrive even a minute later, it's too late: the doors will be closed and locked.

Assuming that it was already too late, I told Brooklyn that she could just stay home with us and eat Papa K cakes. Much to my surprise, she said that no, she wanted to go to school instead. And so, she got dressed in record time, scarfed down a banana and some cereal, and made it to school before the doors closed.

Three weeks ago it took forty-five minutes to get Brooklyn dressed for school amidst heart-wrenching tears and sobbing. We are delighted that she is loving school again, and she is apparently just as thrilled.

Who ever would have thought that there could be anything better than Papa K cakes?

**As a final side note, Brooklyn asked about her Papa K cakes as soon as school was out and rushed home to eat the two pieces we had saved for her.