Birthday Brownie Brouhaha

brou·ha·ha –noun
1. an episode involving excitement, confusion, turmoil, etc., esp. a broil over a minor or ridiculous cause
2. a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits

Today is Ernest's 12th birthday (yay!). That's not the problem. The problem was the brownies for Ernest's class. I have trouble with brownies. The trouble started yesterday when I forgot I was supposed to make them. Following a whirlwind trip to the store at 5:15 (the excitement), I mixed up one box and poured it in the pan. The pan was so large I was afraid they would be thin as crackers. (the turmoil) So I mixed up the other box and topped it off. That looked better. But one panful wasn't enough for 30 kids, so back to the store for more brownie mix. First batch looks OK and even comes out of the pan without sticking. Second batch looks like the first batch and I am saying silent thank yous. Then dinner interrupts. Yes, I had to cook dinner at the same time I was dealing with the blasted brownies. After dinner, I tried to get the second batch out of the pan. While the edges were done just like the first batch, the center was like molten lava. Ugh. So there's my confused disturbance. The first batch was in a metal pan, the second in glass. I'm just not a baker. Alton Brown, I need you.

What do do? Ernest agreed I could bring cupcakes from Albertsons, but when I told him I'd have them there around 1:30, he said, no, that's math time. Apparently there can be no interruptions in math. So we plan to bring something Friday morning instead. I have vetoed cupcakes, since we have a) one pan of edible brownies to work through and b) a chocolate cake ordered for Saturdays LAN party. So I think we're going to try to make chocolate chip cookes tonight. Usually I don't mess those up.

And again, I have a dinner to cook. So why do I sit here blogging? Sigh.