We hosted the grandson for a few hours last week and we commiserate with his parents and daycare provider on this toddler’s, almost preschooler, growth and hunger spurts. Since his Mama was helping with a community function and Dada was on his way back from a work-related trip to western Nebraska, we picked him up from daycare.

Supper was a way off, so Grandma knows a cheese stick is always a good way to tide the tummy over until mealtime. He was then content to carpet farm and play with his upstairs toys for the next hour.

Grandpa helped by finding the “Ferdinand” movie on one of our satellite channels. He was quite captivated with the tale of the bull who liked to smell flowers and didn’t want to become a bull-fighting bull.

By the time my kid-friendly supper of macaroni and cheese and hot dogs was ready, Dorne was more than willing to trade his tractor for a plate and fork and spoon. He wolfed down his first hot dog and worked through most of the ketchup he had requested be squirted on his plate. He then proceeded to stuff his cheeks with raw carrots – his favorite vegetable right now. Once he worked through the chipmunk look, he had a good drink and then scooped up every bite of his macaroni and cheese.

Grandpa had already had his second hot dog when Grandma got her second one out of the pot. Dorne looked longingly at the hot dog and so I split it with him. Finally content he grabbed his plate and started to work on the remaining ketchup. Thankfully he accepted my offer of a spoon to catch the remaining condiment instead of launching into a puppy lick.

We have witnessed this food fest most often on the mornings he has spent the night. Whether pancakes and sausage – one of his favorites, or eggs and toast and sausage, he can polish off an adult-sized plate in nothing flat.

Lunch time is a coin toss on how much our growing boy will eat, although last week the daycare provider noted he usually had seconds of everything, including Wednesday’s chili.

After supper we headed to town for my community choir practice as we were taking photos for our upcoming concert program. Grandpa and Dorne came along because it was hoped Dad would be coming through town before practice was over and Grandpa had to take the sopranos photo since that was my section.

Sure enough, Doug made it shortly after we got started, much to Dorne’s delight. Dad had been on the road a lot that week and it was a treat to get to go home with him. As Hubby and Doug moved the car seat from our car to theirs Dorne spied a familiar sack from his father’s favorite fastfood place. Our grandson has developed a taste for chicken strips and fries, and he politely asked, “Dad can I have some of your snack?”

Unfortunately, his father had eaten everything and replied, “Buddy, I’m sorry it’s all gone.”

Grandpa almost broke out laughing as Dorne’s inquisitive face turned into one long, pouty, sad face. While he didn’t break into tears, we wondered if on the way home Dad was going to have to seek out some more chicken strips and fries.

Somehow, he managed to divert him with another snack from the kid backpack, but the bottomless pit probably would have polished off any leftovers had there been some.

As we prepare for a family trip this weekend one thing is for sure, there will be no telltale fast food sacks left in anyone’s car. Plus, we will pack plenty of Dorne-friendly snacks to stave off any possible hangry attacks.