give a mann a fish ...

a friend recently remarked that because of all of her children's activities and her husband's late work schedule, they always wound up eating dinner in shifts.  "i guess that's the way the world is these days," she sighed.  "i mean, does anyone ever have family dinners any more?"

"we do," i replied.  "every night."  and we do.  there are a few evenings that prove challenging (5:45 basketball practices and 6:00 choir rehearsals, natch) but even still, we make a point to sit down, all four of us together, and eat.  and while these meals might not be the most gourmet and are certainly not the the most relaxed -- i have yet to not get up at least twice to pour more milk, or pick up a dropped utensil, or retrieve a beverage i left on the counter -- it is quality family time.

but a casual observer might think otherwise.  it all begins with the "what's for dinner?" question that one of the kids will invariably ask at some point during the day.  and i know what's coming -- unless my response is pizza or mac and cheese, i'm met with, "i don't like that."  as in, "i don't like pork."  or, "i don't like chili."  or, "i don't like fish."

to be honest, though, it doesn't bother me.  i really don't care that that they turn their nose up at most of what i cook, probably because i was such a picky eater myself growing up.  i know that they'll eventually come around -- can anyone subsist on mac and cheese and pizza their whole life? -- and until then, i'll keep plugging away, serving them the same food that i serve chris and myself.  i make sure there's at least one thing on their plate that they will eat, but if everything else is untouched, well, so be it.  my philosophy?  there's always breakfast the following morning.

we had a minor breakthrough last night, however.  i made tilapia broiled with a buttery parmesan crust and put a few bites on both kids' plates.  we sat down and became engrossed in some conversation, and before we knew it, liam's plate was clean.  "you did it!" i exclaimed.  he looked confused. "you ate your fish!"

he looked even more confused.  "oh.  i ate fish?  was it that white stuff that was right here?"  he pointed to the spot on his plate where it had been.  i nodded.  "see?" chris said.  "you just have to try things.  you'll be surprised at how good they are!" liam smiled, obviously proud of himself.

i could tell he was already mulling over his dessert options, but i couldn't pass up the opportunity to capitalize on this new development.  "would you like some more?" i eagerly offered, preparing another bite on my fork and holding it out for him.

he looked at it and shook his head. "no thank you," he said.  "remember?  i don't like fish."