Today when I picked up Avery from kindergarten, she asked the same question she asks everyday: "Mommy, can we go out to lunch?"  And everyday I say "Nope."  We usually go back and forth on why we are not going out to lunch (it's unhealthy and it's expensive, blah, blah, blah), but today she followed up with "Can I make lunch today?"  Hmm, now there's an idea. 

I decided I would see where this would go, so we talked about what she could make.  She decided on macaroni and cheese with hot dogs and "some sort of fruit or something healthy."  Ok, well, at least I know my message is being received, right?

I let her do absolutely everything, with the exception on draining the pasta.  I even had her serve me and her sisters.  She did awesome and loved it.  I can still remember my first pot of mac and cheese I made.  The satisfaction I felt.  The quick dip of my finger into the powdered cheese.  The regret I felt afterward when I realized that powdered stuff ain't nothing without the milk and butter.

I told you we celebrate all kinds of firsts in this house.  Today it was Mac & Cheese Hot Dog Stuff.  And yes, I ate every last drop she served me, along with my apples, so that I can get big and strong.


Avery being extra careful cutting up the hot dogs.


"I think I'll line these two up and do it Mommy-style." 
Can you see her confidence soaring?


She has a passion to stir.  I don't think a noodle ever touched the bottom.


"Hey, Mia, I'm kind of an expert at this, so let me pass along my great wisdom."


Success.