"can i see that?" liam will ask anytime when a packaged food is within reach. we hardly even notice anymore; we'll just pass the box of cereal, or carton of yogurt, or container of pasta to him and ready ourselves for a lesson in nutrition.
"wow," he'll say, intently studying the back of the package. "this has EIGHT GRAMS of protein!" or he'll shake his head disappointingly. "this is not good. lots of sodium." somehow our five-year old has become our resident dietitian, interested in every aspect of what we buy at the grocery. (not that he really understands much of what he reads; how do we really explain saturated fat is to a preschooler?)
his newfound fascination, however misunderstood, proved to be quite the devil's advocate for chris a few nights ago. about a month ago after returning from a run, chris walked in the house, dripping with sweat, and sat me down for a serious talk. "okay. i'm asking you to do something as my loving and caring wife," he said. "DO NOT let me eat dessert anymore during the week. once or twice on the weekends is fine, but i keep treating myself to whatever the kids are having, and it's getting ridiculous. i just busted my butt to essentially work off the chocolate cake i had a few hours ago." i looked at him, not sure if he really meant it, but he assured me he did. so ever since, i've been pretty vigilant of reminding him that oreos, or strawberry shortcake, or even a popsicle is off limits. and he's been good about keeping his word.
but apparently tonight's offering of a homemade chocolate milkshake proved to be just too tempting. i was throwing some rocky road into the blender for liam and susanna when chris sidled up to me. "make sure there's enough for me," he grinned.
"oh no you don't!" i replied. "remember? it's thursday. no dessert for you!"
and then liam, ever the encouraging son, chimed in from across the room. "daddy definitely needs a milkshake, mommy. you know that ice cream and milk both have lots of calcium and even protein too. daddy needs those things to grow big and strong."
and really -- can you argue with that kind of logic?
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