What’s for dinner? That’s the dreaded question around our house some evenings. We’re not the family that has elaborate, thoughtful, food-group-based (or even nutrition-based) meals planned — I wish. Nope, in all honesty, when our 5- and 7-year-old turn their noses up… toast ‘n peanut butter is the jam.
That is, until it’s “Mommy Dinner” time.
This little ritual started a few years ago, when Daddy (@OliverPariniWeddings) had to stay out late photographing weddings. As a wedding photographer these late nights pop up pretty regularly during the summer — so I decided (accidentally) to make them special with what the kids now call “Mommy Dinners.”
Let me explain. I’m no cook. I grow the food in the garden, then my loving husband feeds me. It’s an arrangement I will forever be thankful for. So when the time comes for me to feed my kids… well, I bail to the basics. French toast with yogurt and a mountain of berries. Oatmeal with nuts, coconut, maple syrup and raisins. Scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. Pasta and peas. You get the idea.
What shocked me was that the kids ate these simple meals. No complaints, no negotiating. Win! And that’s how the “Mommy Dinners” started… And now, the kids are making suggestions.
The other week, in anticipation of a “Mommy Dinner” night, my daughter Ida (age 7) noticed a meal in her Highlights magazine: “Waffle Cones.” She explained: You take freezer waffles, cut one in the shape of a triangle then stack the round and the triangle piece to make what looks like an ice cream cone. Next comes the fun part.
Toppings!
Mango slices, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwis, grapes, yogurt, peanut butter, maple syrup and, yes, sprinkles.
We had our plan. Daddy went to his wedding, and Ida, Massimo and I went to the store to make sure we had all the necessary supplies. They helped me shop, chop and toast, then we sat down to a delightful new “Mommy Dinner.”
We each got two “waffle cones” and began to build our creations. Step 1: protein. Choose peanut butter or yogurt and smear it on the waffle. Step 2: toppings. Add whatever you choose!
Simple, fun and delicious! Nutritious, um, probably not. But definitely a highlight of my summer.
— Elsie Lynn Parini, co-publisher of the Addison Independent and editor of the Arts + Leisure section.
Do you have a story to share about life with young kids in Addison County? We’d love to hear from you! Email [email protected].