It’s nothing new to every mom, but you pretty much have to create time to have your own time. I’m sitting here on spring break, finally getting to eat a slice of avocado toast (with thin sliced tomatoes this time) in peace. “3” is a foodie, just like their mother. Of the few words they can communicate, “mmm yummy” is a favorite. I’m not sure the red pepper flakes will receive that reaction, and that’s why there’s always an extra avocado piece on my plate – for little sneaky fingers.
Mommy is almost always the last to eat, or the one eating at the counter in this household – trying to avoid “3” eyeing up my plate. “3” will climb up behind me on my chair, and reach over my shoulder to grab anything on my plate, olives, lemons, noodles, potato, lettuce, you name it. They have a great palate, but they also have their own plate.
When I’m trying to find time to cook even the basic meals, forget meatballs to freeze, or cupcakes for fun, my head is on a swivel with “3”. I can’t wait for the day they are interested in helping around the kitchen, then the time doesn’t seem like something I’ll have to find. “3” will get there, in their own time. For now, it’s Play Doh on the kitchen floor to keep them occupied, and sharing the space and time with me.
“5” loves to dump the cup of flour, and use the mixer. They are learning and having fun, and usually Mommy is getting something accomplished. They are just not allowed to touch my sourdough starter (yes, I jumped on that bandwagon). “5” understood “hot, don’t touch” very young, not because they burned themselves, but one “don’t touch that, it’s hot” scared them and that was the end of it. They now stand on the stepstool, next to the stove, and are very much away that red means hot. “5” has even started helping make my super delicious cupcakes, recipe to come -chocolate with caramel whipped topping anyone?
I have to remember I promised them we’d make banana smoothies after school today.
A tip for the play doh (and Kinetic Sand) clean-up – as I know two kitchen messes is never fun, but a linoleum kitchen floor helps make it a breeze for me right now. To contain the mess in our old kitchen, we used dinner trays – perfect for two who sit in W – to practice core strength and with four sides to contain the mess!
Musings & Avocado Toast 