Kev Lawrence: on chcolate Easter Egg alternatives
Last year, my two kids were given 18 chocolate Easter eggs each. Some were small, others massive with mugs and containers that overflowed with all sorts of bonus candy. There was milk, dark and white chocolate, edible bunnies, and the one that caused most hysteria for my daughter was the High School Musical-themed egg. She nearly fainted when she saw it.
Last year, my two kids were given 18 chocolate Easter eggs each. Some were small, others massive with mugs and containers that overflowed with all sorts of bonus candy. There was milk, dark and white chocolate, edible bunnies, and the one that caused most hysteria for my daughter was the High School Musical-themed egg. She nearly fainted when she saw it.Aunties, uncles, nanas, grandads, cousins and close friends,were all happy to buy and supply my kids with more chocolate than they knew what to do with. Our green bin bulged with wasteful cardboard, as the kids suffered sickness and bloating.
My little girl especially struggled. She's barely a metre tall, stick thin, and just not able to digest such vast quantities in short bursts. We had to keep a close eye on her, and in the end hid her eggs.
This year, in a direct attempt to protect them, we have limited each child to a single egg, bought for half price, the day before Easter Sunday. All potential egg buyers were discreetly informed to either offer a small cash alternative, or to not bother at all.
One nana complained about our policy, and told us that chocolate was not actually bad for them. "OK, the sugar content can cause cavities," she muttered. "But chocolate, especially of the dark variety, can actually be beneficial. Cocoa boosts the immune system, and also restricts the formation of the type of cholesterol which damages the heart."
Now I'm no scientist, but last time I checked chocolate was high in calories and sugar, and eating too much of it was, therefore, a bad thing.
Anyhow, with a surprisingly generous collection of "Easter cash" for both, I feel a feather in my cap as a parent has been earned, as instead of plying both with kilos of fattening chocolate, each has instead been offered a treat.
My boy elected for a cinema trip, and enjoyed immensely Monsters versus Aliens (limited pick n mix) while my little girl has directed her cash towards tickets to this month's "party of all parties" for little princesses. On Sunday, April 26, at the Holiday Inn hotel, there will be a magical ball for little girls aged four and above.
Called the Princess Fairy Ball it's a chance for your little one to dress up (mine is going as Cinderella) and enjoy dancing, music, games, picnic tea, goodie bag, and all sorts of magical fun.
The last one we went to was just before Christmas, and she hasn't stopped talking about it since. If you have a little girl who might want to come, then call The Holiday Inn, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough for more details on 01733 289988.
As well as the party, a raffle will also raise funds for our Have a Heart Charity, and I know for sure that she will enjoy this far more than feeling sick from too much chocolate.
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Weather for Peterborough
Thursday 18 March 2010
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