Leftover waffles are a rare treat in the Pickwickian kitchen. When the freezer boasts such a felicitous breakfast option, it is what is generally considered a win-win situation. Mrs P is delighted to sip her coffee in the other room while the Blessings are delighted to toast something even more exciting than toast with minimal interference from their tyrannical overlords.

However, one such morning, Sweet came running into the living room in distress: “Mommy!!! Feisty says you said we are allowed to do ANYTHING WE WANT now and that is crazy we can’t do whatever we want, we can’t tell lies or go in the snow barefoot or take flowers from the graveyard or eat only cookies, even if we want to!!!”

Feisty followed her, cackling madly and plotting all the things she is going to do with her new ability to do what-in-all-creation-ever she wants.

Mrs P, unfazed by the bubbling coup: “Feisty, I said you could do whatever you want when you asked if you could eat your waffle cold. I meant, you could do whichever choice you wanted: toasted or frozen. I did not care. You can do whatever you want, but only about the waffle.”

Sweet was visibly incredibly relieved, as the prospect of no rules in the universe was clearly terrifying.

Feisty, always thwarted just this side of ruling the world, was really really disappointed.

But everyone had a waffle, so it was still a win-win sort of morning.