Snack Board for Dinner, Bathroom Floor for Peace

It started while standing in my kitchen, looking inside the fridge, and wanting a little bit of everything.

Elena begged for attention as soon as we got home. She found a jar of bubbles. Great! That will give me 90 seconds.

I think about dinner. Dinners are still a work in progress in my household. Tim and I have different dinner times, and different preferences when it comes to what we want for supper. When Elena came into the picture, I knew we had a few years before we had to get on board with the “This is dinner, together.” 

It’s the only meal we can share during our week.

Some days we’re lucky to have my mom prepare a delicious meal, which both of us are eager to indulge. Score. Family dinner.

Tonight, as I stand in front of the open fridge and remind Elena she can play with her bubbles while I prepare dinner, I think, “I want to snack.” 

Bubbles flow in my living room, a string of Mama! Look! Look!!!! Becomes the soundtrack of my decision-making process, and I decide on a board for dinner.

Cucumbers, cheese, peppers, hummus. Good place to start.

MAMA!! LOOK!!!! LOOK AT THE BUBBLES!!!!

I’m chopping, typing slices in my head, and responding to Elena in a way that would make Dr. Becky very proud. I’m hungry, and I’m excited about this dinner board.

Hmmm, taquitos. I remember there are 6 left in the freezer. We also just got sour cream. YES! Perfect addition to the board. Does it match? Who cares.

Elena comes by, and she sees the cheese. But the board isn’t ready. Dr. Becky would say it’s a good moment to teach patience. She whines. I ask her to get her timer. She runs off to find it.

She double checks the ringing is on behind it. I set it for as long as it’ll go: 20 minutes.

Pause — I need to read Lovevery’s thinking process for designing this timer.

We set it, she goes back to the bubbles, and I go back to finishing our board.

MAMAAAA!! BUBBLESSSS!!!!

I give her the attention she’s begging for after a long day at school. I give her a job.

“Yes, Mama! I’m the helper!”

I just gained 3 minutes, and we’re all using toddle plates and cups.

She sets the table while narrating. My heart grows. I snap a few photos. This is my slice.

Tim walks in the door just as we’re ready to sit for dinner. He smiles when he sees what we’re having. He washes his hands and joins us at the table.

We enjoy our snack-board-dinner thingy, and I’m truly grateful for this moment. Yes, she interrupts and demands that we stop talking because it’s her turn. Yes, we patiently redirect her and try to finish our sentences while she stares, waiting for us to be silent. Yes, we abruptly end our stories, and Tim starts singing a tune Elena loves. Yes, she asks for more, “Ding ding, Dada! Do more Ding Ding!”

I wish dinner were this fun and easy every night. But I also know it can’t be. That’s okay, too.

The 20-minute timer rings while we’re dipping our veggies, and I smile.

It started while standing in my kitchen. It ended on my bathroom floor, writing this like it’s a covert operation.

#BathroomHidingClub #WritingRush