Pi Day – Chapter 1 - Preparation
With Pi Day falling on a Monday and the children having school, Jane and Maura decided to allocate all day the Sunday before to help their children make pies. Maura had purchased miniature pie tins for each of the children.
Jane didn't like how fast Maura took to shopping for things on Amazon. Maura spent less than five minutes looking at pans and pushed a few buttons and had eight five-inch pans on order and set for delivery the first week in March.
Now to find out what kind of pies the children wanted to bake. They sat all the children down at the kitchen island the weekend before and Maura gave them a history lesson on Pi Day. She informed them, "Pi is a mathematical constant. It's first three digits are 3.14. it represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It has been officially celebrated in the United States since 2009. In 2019 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed March 14 as the International Day of Mathematics. That is why we have pie on March 14th. So, what kinds of pie would you like to have on Pi Day?"
Jane loved that none of the children were bored, they listened as their google-mouthed mother explained why they would be making pies on the following Sunday morning. The children responded with their type of pie they would like.
At almost eight MJ had been around for a few Pi Days and he loved pie. He quickly selected Apple. AJ and Lilly were almost five and a half years old. AJ said he would like a banana cream pie. Lilly wanted a pecan pie and Kate said, "I don't know, mommy."
Three and half year-old Kate was upset. She really didn't know what kind of pie was her favorite, she liked them all. Maura made the pies last year and the kids had just eaten them. They were not involved in the baking of the pies. But Maura thought now that Kate was old enough, they could make it a fun activity for the children. She didn't mean to upset Kate, she was trying to include all the children in things as much as possible. She knew how much she loved baking with Jane's mom and she was hoping to instill that love of baking in their children.
Jane could tell Kate was about to cry. MJ quickly went over to comfort 'his Katie.' He was so protective of 'his Katie.' Jane told Kate, "It's fine sweetie, we will think of something together. We still have time. Mommy just needed to know so she could buy the ingredients to make the pies on next weekend."
"Okay, we get my grediants later," Kate said.
"Ya, baby, we can get your grediants later. More than likely, we will have what you need when you decide on which type of pie you would like to bake. Do you want to look at different types of pies or do you want to go and play with your brothers and sister?"
"I wanna play, peas." Kate said as she looked at her brothers and sister that were getting some toys out to play in the living room.
"Okay, sweetie, go and play." Maura said as Kate hugged both of her mommies and then ran off to play. "Jane, what do we do for Kate's pie?"
"I guess we get grediants for something we think she will like." Jane said with a huge smile. She knew Maura hated when she talked like the children, but she was doing it just to fun with Maura.
"Jane, you should speak the proper words to her so she learns. You know that studies say …." she was cut off as Jane grabbed her and starting kissing her. Maura kissed her back with so much passion. She loved Jane so much. They continued kissing for a couple of minutes and before their kissing deepened into something more intimate, they were interrupted by the children who were getting hungry. They forget sometimes that other people are in the room when they start kissing.
AJ said, "Yucky our mommies are kissing."
"AJ that is not yucky it is great, our mommies love each other." MJ stated with a huge smile on his face. He had kissed a girl already and liked it so he understood. He had enjoyed the kiss that he had shared with Chrissy when they had tried it a few weeks prior.
"Yes, AJ, I love your mama very much and I am so happy she is my wife." Maura told her son.
"We're hungry mommy, what's for breakfast?" AJ asked as Jane's stomach gave a little roar. The children all laughed, they thought it was funny when their mama's stomach talked.
Maura stated, "well I guess if the five of you are hungry, I better start making breakfast. How does pancakes sound?"
"Choclet chip ones, mommy?" Kate asked.
"Of course, sweetie, I will make you some chocolate chip pancakes." Maura proudly told Kate. "Would you like to go to the market with me after breakfast?"
"Yes." Kate simply replied.
"Okay, give me a few minutes and I will have your pancakes ready. Would you like them to be bunny pancakes or just regular pancakes?"
All four children said, "Bunny." Maura just smiled, she knew she would be making bunny pancakes when she asked. Their nonna had spoiled them and they loved bunny pancakes. Jane set the table and got their juice ready for them. All four children were helping them, well Kate was hanging out with Maura and the other three were helping Jane set the table and squeeze the orange juice. Maura liked for the children to have fresh squeezed orange juice whenever possible.
Half an hour later Maura and Kate were on their way to the market. While Jane and the rest of the children cleaned up the breakfast dishes. Kate said, "We get grediants mommy?"
"Yes baby, we will pick up some ingredients and some fresh vegetables for dinner tonight. Have you thought anymore about what type of pie you would like?"
"No, mommy." Kate responded.
Maura turned to look at Kate and said, "Would you like to go to Mama's favorite diner and try some?"
Kate smiled at her and answered, "Yes."
"Don't worry mama won't get mad. She knew that I might take you to the diner. I called Jenny, our favorite waitress and she is getting samples ready for you to try."
"Tank you, mommy."
"You are welcome sweetheart." When they arrived at the market, they shopped for about twenty minutes and then went to the diner. Kate was excited she loved her mama's favorite diner and Jenny always gave her a treat.
Jenny smiled when she saw Kate and Maura walk in. Kate ran up and gave her a hug. Jenny showed them to a booth and brought out a juice for Kate and a tea for Maura. "Kate, which pie would you like to try first?"
"Don't know." Kate sadly replied.
"Okay, I'll surprise you and bring the first one out, how does that sound?"
"Okay."
"I will be right back. I have eight different pies I would like you to try."
"Eight?" Kate's eyes lit up, she was excited, she would get to try eight different pies.
"Yes, eight." Jenny said as she walked back to the counter to get the first piece of pie.
Jenny came out with a small piece of lemon meringue pie for Kate to try. She set it down in front of Kate and gave her a fork. "Mommy, you try?" Kate said as she handed Maura her fork. Kate was sitting next to Maura. Jenny reached over and put another fork down in front of Kate. Kate smiled. "Mommy, you try wit me?"
"Yes, sweetie, I will try the pie with you." Maura said as she took a small bite of the pie. Kate took a small bite. They ate it at the same time. "What do you think Kate, do you like it?"
"I like it. Try 'nother?" Kate responded she was ready for her next piece of pie. Maura and Jenny just smiled. Kate was enjoying this sampling activity with her mommy.
"Yes, we can try the next one?" Maura said and motioned to Jenny that they were ready for the next pie. Jenny brought over another piece and placed it in front of Kate. When she went to take the other piece of pie away Kate motioned 'no,' so Jenny left it on the table.
"This is an apple pie." Maura said as she took a bite of the pie.
Kate took a small bite and said, "Yummy." Maura smiled. It really was a good piece of pie.
They continued and tried the other six pies: Blueberry, Custard, Key Lime, Banana, Chocolate and Pecan. Kate liked them all. All eight pieces were still on their table. Kate looked at them all and couldn't decide which one was her favorite. "Mommy, what your faborite?"
"I don't know sweetheart. I like them all. I think I prefer the Lemon meringue pie."
"I like it too." Kate said as she took another small bite of each one of the pies. Maura knew Kate was going to have a tummy ache later. But it would be worth it if Kate would make a decision. It was so hard to get her to make a decision about food sometimes. She seemed to like almost everything. The other three children were somewhat picky eaters so this was new for Jane and Maura, they actually had a child that liked most foods.
Jenny packed up all the leftovers as Kate wanted to take them home and share with her mama and brothers and sister. Maura knew the other children would love that so she agreed. Maura left Jenny a generous tip as they said goodbye.
When they got home Kate ran into the house as soon as Maura unstrapped her from her car seat. Jane went out to assist Maura with the groceries. Kate ran into the house and told her brothers and sister that she had pie for them to try. They all sat at the kitchen island as Maura brought in the pie. She put the pies on the island and sliced them up so the children could help themselves.
Normally she wouldn't let the children snack like this but Kate wanted to share her pies so Maura went along with it. Jane just smiled, she loved how their children could get Maura to do things that she normally wouldn't even think of doing. Jane forked a few bites as she was putting the groceries away. Jane and Maura left the kitchen and headed to the living room. The children were fine with the pies.
When the children finished eating all the pies, they cleaned up their mess and Kate went over to her mommies that were sitting on the couch and climbed up into Jane's lap and then scooted so she was on both of their laps. She had her back to them and leaned back and reached up and placed a hand on each of her mommy's heads and pulled them into her, and said, "Love you."
"Love you too sweetie," Maura said as Jane leaned in and kissed the top of Kate's head.
"I wan to have the lemon mermaid pie." Kate told her mommies.
Jane couldn't help but chuckle, Kate said the cutest things sometimes. Maura gave Jane a little slap on her arm. Jane couldn't help herself though it was funny. She just looked at Maura and smiled. Maura smiled back at her. She turned Kate around and told her, "Kate that is wonderful. Your mommy loves lemon mermaid pie also." Maura just glared at Jane and then shook her head.
Kate looked at Maura for confirmation, "I do love the lemon meringue pie so we will make that on Sunday. Would you like to help me?"
"Yes, mommy."
"Okay, you and I will make our own lemon meringue pies. Jane what type of pie are you going to make?" Maura asked as Kate climbed over to her and snuggled up, she was tired. She rested her head on Maura's shoulder.
"I am going to leave it as a surprise. You will find out on Sunday when we make our pies."
All week Maura tried to get Jane to tell her what kind of pie she was going to make and Jane wouldn't tell her.
Jane made sure she had all of her ingredients to make her pie. She and Maura had the recipes all printed for the children. Angela said she would like to come over and help with the pies. Jane and Maura thought that would be great. Angela called Constance to see if she was up for some pie making also, and she said she was. By Thursday night they had everything set for Sunday morning. Their pie making event was all set up for Sunday, March 13 at 9 AM.