Do you ever have a learning opportunity with your kids that you seed and are surprised when it comes to fruition? I had one of these little gems just a few weeks ago. In the interest of building in quality time with my kids, I have REPEATEDLY tried to get them to participate in activities with me. This has ranged from art classes (with Bella) to cooking classes (with Isaac) and everything in-between. In order to stay connected with them, I've tried to meet them where their passions were, even if it has meant playing hours of Minecraft or SIMs.
One of my favorite joint experiences was the Kirkwood Chinese Cooking course for 2, that Isaac and I attended about 2 years ago. We walked away with an appreciation for each other in the kitchen, 2 delicious recipes, and the confidence we could recreate this magic in our home kitchen.
Flash forward to present times, where Isaac seems to be coming to terms with his imminent "nest leaving" phase of life. He has really stepped up his game at home, including watching the dogs/house while I was on my 2 week Europe work-cation. Prior to my departure, he had been hinting at wanting to brush off his culinary skills, even going to far as to request grocery items in order to attempt one of our old Chinese recipes on his own.
Tuesday night rolls around and its nearing 10pm. Bella and I are sitting on couch finishing an episode of Parks n Rec (me - with my eyes closed...)
Isaac, having just come up from basement where he has been lifting weights (which also happens to be my bedroom and why I'm still on the couch, with my eyes closed): "Mom, can you help me with that Chinese recipe?"
Me: "Sure, I'd love to. Oh, you mean now?"
Isaac, grins sheepishly: "Well, uh, yeah. I just got done with weights and I'm starving"
Me: "Ok, but I'm not moving from the couch. You'll just have to come over and ask me questions"
Isaac: "Fine, not sure how well thats gonna work though"
Isaac begins thumping around in kitchen, then comes into living room. "Ok, I have a question. How do I turn on the lights in the kitchen?"
<head thump>
Needless to say, I got off the couch at that point, in order to ensure Isaac would not burn the house down. Luckily that turned out to be the only trip-up he had, and I got the opportunity to enjoy a very yummy late-night first pass at Cashew Chicken as payment for my assistance.
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