the thing with kids is , if they want to grab for the gold ring , you have to let them do it , and not say anything . then i surprised myself yet again and asked , we could have breakfast together . he introduced himself and provided a high-level outline of what we would cover this year . when 'd you ask for more time ? '' although perhaps i should n't have been surprised . i realized that i just didnt mess up the mats and the kitchen , that it was my fault disaster was trickling down to everything else . 