As I’ve mentioned before, Nita and I have a little different style of parenting. Nita is all about exposing the kids to new and exciting stimulus and I’m about safety. There are times when we clearly and obviously clash. I’ve been trying to do a better job of letting go, but for those who know me, I kind of like being in control of the situation. Anyway, Nita has been letting Connor help with cooking and meal preparation. Additionally a couple of our nannies have introduced fun cooking activities into snack time. So I finally relented and bought Connor some little chef tools, his own apron and his own chef’s hat. He has made eggs, pancakes, and has mixed veggies for us. He absolutely loves helping us in the kitchen and the other day he RAN into the house from outside to help me egg and flour some pork chops. And there was a mud puddle he could have jumped in. I asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up and he said a chef. Mr. Lagasse, you have been served.
This weekend was mother’s day and Nita decided she wanted to take the kids to the Flying Monsters (dinosaurs) IMAX exhibit…in 3D. Then we’d hop over to central market for dinner. Nita’s brother and the grandmothers were invited as well. This was to be Connor and Josephine’s first 3D experience. Okay, technically the polar express 3D at home was the first but Connor was barely Josie’s age and he destroyed all the glasses. Anyway, Connor loved it and Josie was more interested in the popcorn and rice crispy treat than the show. Connor jumped a few times and once when a dinosaur flew by his head and appeared to go behind us he turned around and shouted (loud enough for most of the theater to hear), “Hey you, come back here, this instant!” There were more than a few chuckles. He was very good through the whole thing and said he liked it. Josie just liked walking up and down the stairs.
Then we went to central market where the kids mostly picked at the food but were dying to get to the playscapes. Connor had his attention diverted by the dogs and a new little duck swimming with his momma. We brought his unfinished hamburger bun and fed the ducks and a turtle by the edge of the pond. It took quite a bit of effort keeping Connor out of the pond. Josie just hooted and quacked, because well, that’s what ducks do.
The day before we played outside on our playscape and for snack time, I brought the kids some pudding snack packs. Nita and I reminisced about seeing the can in our lunches as kids. We couldn’t wait to open it (ourselves) and we’d lick the metal lid. And no one ever cut their tongues. Of course then we’d hop in the front seat with our parents and drove home unseat-belted. Anyway, I brought out the pudding and the kids smiles were as big as I remember mine being. It made me think that one of the best parts of being a parent is sometimes reliving some of your own favorite moments as a child. I hope I don’t take it for granted. It’s especially fun and I know it flies by. A buddy who lost a bet to me was supposed to meet up for a couple of beers yesterday and had to cancel at the absolute last second because one of his kids had an issue. In fact he said, “Don’t be surprised if you read about a homicide, because, well, you’ll see when yours are teenagers.”
Finally after dinner we just started playing around in the living area. Josie picked up a xylophone, Connor picked up a toy electric guitar, and Nita just walked over to the piano. The next thing you know we were having a little sing along. Stay tuned for the new album of Duets, coming to a record store near you. I guess aside from the IMAX, most of our fun was pretty simple. Cooking, feeding ducks, pudding cups, and singing around the piano after dinner. Good Lord we’re the Cleaver family. Ward did like a little scotch after work didn’t he?
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