Thankful: Cooking with Kids

Every year in November, I try to post on Facebook a daily expression of my thankfulness. This year, I’ve decided to go one step further and blog daily with these thankful posts. Considering how overwhelmed I’ve been lately, I thought this series would do one of two things. First, it would force me to write every day which is a source of therapy for me. Secondly, it would help me focus on all the wonderful things and people I have in my life.

You may be surprised to learn that I get a little particular about cooking. Well, I get a little particular about following directions for things and getting things done correctly in general. Mostly, I worry about simply getting stuff done; so if someone gets in my way, I get a little frustrated. I move very quickly and am able to multitask. So, it can be really hard for me to let go and let someone help me.

Cooking with kids can really get me all flustered. If we have a deadline, I’m especially impossible (I know, I know – you’re shocked). Math Man has witnessed it. It’s not pretty.

But tonight, the 2 year old (Flash) had taken a too-short nap and needed to be kept busy. I had some stirfry to make for Math Man and me, and we decided spaghetti noodles would be an awesome base. Plus, Flash really likes noodles (he calls them “doodles”).

I enlisted Flash’s help, and it was quite the comedy of errors. Before the water was even boiling, he was adding noodles to the pan.

Then, the 4 year old (Animal) arrived and insisted on helping. Things got really messy very quickly.

Eventually, we had dry noodles burning on the stove and noodles all over the place.

But you know what? It didn’t really matter. Food was prepared. We ate dinner. And they learned a little something about maneuvering themselves in the kitchen – – even if I won’t let them cook on their own for quite a number of years!

I was reminded tonight that these little moments are precious. In a few years, they’ll be too “cool” to make some spaghetti with me. In just a few years, they won’t fight over who gets to stand at my shoulder to put the noodles in the pan.

So yes. I’m thankful for spaghetti noodles all over my floor. At least they weren’t cooked and slimy, yet.

Do you ever cook with your kids? What lessons have you learned about the kitchen, your kids, or yourself in the process?

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