The Next Food Network Star!

Ok, so I am not talking about the show...I am talking about M. M went to Dream Dinners with me a few weeks ago to prepare our foods for the month. I did take my camera but I forgot to take it out. In August when we go back we will take the video camera and see if we can get a clip of him preparing the foods with me. We have about a 20 minute drive home from Dream Dinners...he talked to Grammie the entire way home about how much fun he had, what he made, how to cook it, what she needs to do when she goes and everything. When we got there he was a little nervous, but jumped in anyway! We went in, put away my purse (which is why I forgot the camera!), got our recipe cards and were greeted by Melanie. I took M to the sink and both of us washed our hands and put on aprons. Someone had brought a step ladder out for M to stand on. (Next time we are taking just a step stool, as I wasn't too comfortable with the little ladder, he wanted to stand on the top step when he didn't really need too.) We started with our first meal, they are SO SIMPLE even with a child helping to prepare. He was really excited that all the spoons were just the right size. We put all the ingredients for each meal into baggies and those baggies into a large ziploc with a label. He then took our food over to the freezer and put it in our spot. He thought that was really neat that we have a special fridge for our food. He was pleased to get to try the Oreo Brownies as a sample. I even gave him mine since I knew were were bringing an order of them home with us. There were other moms there that had young children, they were asking if we would put certain things in our meals. M would always answer them with his grown-up, long-winded answers, which sometimes I had to interpret. We absolutely love Dream Dinners, we can choose the leave items out or use extra of things that we like (i.e. garlic). Even with the heaping measurements of garlic the kids love the meals. They also brought out the Stuffed Italian Shells for us to try. I knew M didn't really like it but I let him get a taste of it anyway! He tried it which was more than what he did at home. He thought he was the reason that they had 2 samples that day!

Everyone kept asking if he was going to be a chef - he kept saying "I don't know yet, because I can sing pretty good too." He also told one customer when she asked if he wanted to be a chef, "My mommie says I have a lot of talents that I can use when I grow up, so I am not sure if I will be a chef. If I am I will be a good one.

We have pretty picky eats are our house and we were afraid the first month that the kids would not eat the foods. However, they were willing to try things. Now we realize that we are not only using meal time as a family bonding time, but the sessions at Dream Dinners allow me to spend more quality, one on one time with M. Also, we have found that the more they can help me with the preparation and the cooking the more willing they are to eat it. If we can get them to try it with an open mind, they usually will like it. I let them help me in the kitchen as much as possible and James has even let them help him put things on the grill or slide the chops around on the grill with him. They like to be part of the process of choosing which meal we should have and cooking it. I was also really thankful and amazed that one of my previous blogs "Do I pray enough?" on July 14, 2008 had a comment made on it by Stephanie Allen. For those of you who don't know, she is the co-founder of Dream Dinners!! I was really amazed. I am still not sure how she found my blog but I thought it was really neat that she took the time to comment on God, praying, and Dream Dinners.

I wonder if we could get M on one of those taste testing panels? He would adore it!! Maybe I will start posting his comments on the meals. Last night we had the Maple Glazed Pork Chops. We all really liked it. M, who typically doesn't eat pork chops at all, even asked for seconds. I took one chop and split it for both of the kiddos - but had to get the one for James to take to work to give them even more! Let's just say James did not have Maple Glazed Pork Chops and local Hawaiian mac salad for lunch at work today!

The kids are about home from karate and dance so that means my quiet time is almost up and I have some Coconut Shrimp and McCormick Seasoned Steak to get to cooking! Yes, all of it from Dream Dinners. We gave Mom and Dad a trip to Dream Dinners for their birthday presents. They went today. I can't wait until they start trying the foods!!

(A side note: No, we don't always dress like in these pictures! We spent the afternoon over at McGrew Point Community Swimming Pool and the boys are still in there swimsuits, whereas, J only has on her bottoms.)