As I entered the kitchen yesterday evening from work, Jodi was preparing dinner. I looked at the menu items of pork chops (yes she still fixes them for me), macaroni and cheese, soup beans, and a mixture of vegetables. She then proceeded to tell me of her decision that the kids needed to eat more vegetables and that this mixture was going to be the genesis of it. I looked into the pan and saw corn, carrots, broccoli, those little ears of corn the size of half my pinky finger. This combination was smothered with a cheese sauce. Before I could utter a sound, I heard her say to me in her best motherly tone, "And you are going to eat yours and be a good example to them!!" I thought better of my comment, turned and went to the living room and watched "The Little Mermaid." Me and the kids sat there together, hugging each other, a common goal ahead of us: eat the vegetable blend and like it.
We anticipated the call, "Come on you guys, it's time to eat." It finally came and we slowly walked to the table, unsure of our fate. Anna Clair was the first to see her plate and she quickly blurted out, "Oooooooh! I am not eating this nasty stuff!!" Jodi informed her that her assessment of the situation was not needed to influence her little brother. In reality, Levi didn't need her influence because one look and his sentiment was quite the same.
I dutifully forked the mix into my mouth quickly chasing it with a large swig of tea. Jodi informed the kids that we would play a game to help them eat their share of the vegetables. She appealed to one thing they couldn't refuse: money (so she thought!) They would get a dime for every bite they took. Anna Clair, though saving for a pair of Heelys, pretty much dismissed the possibility that a single morsel of the mix would pass her lips. She excused herself to the bathroom and while she was gone, Jodi put a bite of it on Levi's fork. He was slow to be convinced this was going to be good and eventually, he put it in his mouth. Wails and tears followed and nearly a regurgitation that would have undoubtedly set off an unfortunate chain reaction. He did end up swallowing it and washed it down with his milk. When Anna Clair returned, Levi was ready to report that he nearly threw up twice.
Jodi stated that the two of them were beyond understanding and asked me how the vegetables were. Uh-oh! In that brief moment I had a decision to make. I think I made the right one. I said, "Yes, they are great!" as convincingly as I could, held my breath and swallowed real hard.
My thought was that of all the vegetables we could have tried, a mixture such as I have described was probably not the best. Given Anna Clair's avoidance in the bathroom, Levi's 10-cent bite and my effort, Jodi was the only one who really enjoyed the vegetables. Next time I am thinking green bean (perhaps in a casserole) or potatoes, and I will enjoy them as well.
I am thankful that I was able to eat the mound of mixed vegetables and keep it down so I could be a good example to my kids. I hope everytime I have to give them an example it's a little easier. I am also thankful for Jodi being the best mother in the world to her three kids.
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4 comments:
I am still laughing! Nice try Jodi. Try disguising it better next time. Sally has even gone to such lengths as buying these special gummy bear things that are actually vegetables. She has also tried to get us to eat organic chips. The flavors? Potato (of a sort), tomato, and spinach. VERY crunchy but NOT Doritos by any stretch of the imagination. Craig, any dish ending in the word "medley", steer clear...lol.
And by the way...even though my tastes have somewhat broadened since my marriage to a woman who will eat anything, I still pretty much pick out of my food anything that is green.
You all should be ashamed of yourselves!!!!!!!! Brayden is my GOAT! He'll eat anything you put in front of him. Cayden is my floor cleaner. He eats what they drop on the floor. Macy has the same attitude Anna Clair has. But she flicks them with her fingers to make them look like there gone. So Cayden picks up what she flicks. We tried Brussel Sprouts the other night. They smell like old people feet and taste like old people feet. Not that i have ever eaten or smelled old people feet, but that's what I imagine they are like. We all spit them in the garbage can.
I work around older people and sometimes you can't help but smell their feet...never tasted them though. I have been able to steer clear of brussel sprouts so I don't know if they are a match to the feet or not.
Spinach chips? Are you kidding me? A piece of plywood might be crunchy. There is nothing that is good for you that you can match up to Doritos.
Clint, I am sending your kids some leftovers.
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