Two-year-old Dylan was helping me made a Jello dessert for a committee meeting at my home later that day. We selected a recipe that used soda pop for part of the liquid. Dylan was absolutely delighted by the sparkle and bubbling of the mixture as we poured in the pop. I left him to view the magic while I took a two-minute phone call. When I returned, I found Dylan exclaiming with glee, "Fizzie! Dylan made Fizzie."

Fizzies are flavored tablets that create a drink of that same flavor when placed in water. The pleasure of their taste is second to that of the visual show they put on as they sizzle and bubble. I was fascinated by them as a child and was ecstatic when I found some for Dylan. "Yes," I agreed, "it does look a lot like when we make Fizzies."

Immensely proud of his assistance, Dylan announced to each arriving guest, "Dylan made Fizzie!" Asked about the preparation process, I explained while the guests began eating the dessert. Just as I finished, Dylan's grandfather walked in and said, "Excuse me for interrupting. I can't find my denture tablet. I put it out in the kitchen this morning and now it's gone."

At that moment, Dylan let out an ear-piercing, "Dylan make Fizzie!" I looked at the dessert. I looked at Dylan. I thought of the implications. Dear God, I just fed denture tablets to my guests.

Unfortunately, my guests also made the same realization. I was surrounded by a room full of desperate guests - some of whom were suddenly nauseous - politely trying to spit out a mouth full of Jello. It wasn't pretty. The story does have a happy ending. I have a very busy schedule, and since the "Fizzie Incident," I have never once been asked to prepare food for a committee meeting!