Gluten-free, dairy-free, kids-free muffins

Last night EggEgg and Cola were fighting over the most trivial things: "He banged the door on my shoulder! " "He took my piece of paper! " "He didn't want to hold my hand while crossing the road", etc etc ad nauseum.

Exasperated, I put a punishment on them before sending them off to bed.  "You both, there'll be no Saturday muffin breakfast for you. You can eat air for all I care. I don't want to see your face before noon tomorrow. Do you understand? "

Saturday morning, I began baking apple cashew muffin while Bobo played with the oranges on the kitchen floor.

The smell of muffin wafted throughout the house. EggEgg got up from the rumpus downstairs, and ventured a meek apology. "Mami, I'm sorry"
"Nope. It's not 12 oclock yet. Go back to the rumpus. "
EggEgg went back without a word, for he knows that this is his punishment.

For the first time in months I was able to enjoy freshly baked goods AND a still-warm coffee AND a weekend newspaper without any distraction. This is weekend bliss!

As I dig into my second muffin, Cola ventured up. EggEgg kept watch from the staircase, waiting for the good news in case Mami decide to have mercy and pardon their misbehaviour.

Cola began his speech beating about the bush, putting on his cutest face. "Mami, what are you eating? "
"Muffins. Oh they are so yummy. "

"But why can you eating them? " He feigned misunderstanding that everybody in the house are not allowed to have breakfast.
"Of course I can eat them. I made them, I can do whatever I like. They are so yummy. " (I was almost tempted to say "Do you want to try some? ")

"But, big brother has already apologized. " Cola attempts to shift the responsibility onto EggEgg ever so slyly.
"So? What does his apology has to do with you? "
Cola looked away, pretending not to hear me. He has a big ego, for he hardly ever apologise for any wrong doing, unlike the frank Eggegg.

I gazed into his eyes, trying to extract an apology from him.
Finally he sputtered. "Mami, Cola is sorry, ah."
"You're sorry about what? "
"Last night, I was yelling and shouting on the floor. "
"Oh really? Did you had a tantrum? I can't remember. " It's my turn to have sudden amnesia.

Anyway, a punishment is a punishment, no matter how cute and innocent they looked.
"Well its not noon yet, so go back to the rumpus. I don't want to see your face"

EggEgg looked dejected at the failed appeal for leniency.  I could see him still peeking from the staircase.