Life with Dylan

Category: cooking

  • How Much Is Too Much?

    After school sports and clubs, Cub Scouts, homework, reading, chores … when do you say enough is enough? Do mom’s really have time for all this, or is it just because I am a single mom who works full time that I find this all a little crazy? Sure, we want our kids to be well rounded and participate in a variety of activities to find out what they really like, but when do they actually have time to be a kid? Dylan has tennis on Wednesday after school, Science Club on Thursday after school, Cub Scout activities and badges to earn, and about 40 minutes of homework plus a minimum 30 minutes of reading each night. I feel bad making him do chores and clean up his toys all the time because then he would have no time to play outside, watch TV, or play his video games. Now I know that TV and video games are not a priority, but the poor kid has been in school all day and then comes home to do more work. Kids need an outlet just like adults do.

    Almost every time he asks the kids next door to play they say they can’t play. Their mom has them in so many different activities (Art class, Music lessons, Singing lessons, Soccer, Running Club, and who knows what else) that these kids have no time to just PLAY. Is playing a thing of the past? Am I a bad mom because I don’t sign Dylan up for everything under the sun?

    I let him choose what he wants to do and he likes the activities he does. Cub Scouts is something that he enjoys with me and his Grandpa and the after school activities are teaching him new things and sportsmanship. We spend time on weekends doing art projects at home, puzzles, and he enjoys cooking and baking with me. So why sign him up for another class to learn art when I can do it with him and spend quality time together?

  • Bon Appetit!

    Who knew Dylan would be such a natural in the kitchen! I know he loves food, but what a surprise when I took him kicking and screaming to Sur la Table that he was the one not wanting to leave the store. Mom look at this … oh, Mom we need one of these … Hey Mom, what’s this? The child was simply in awe of all the cooking and baking supplies surrounding us. And I was ecstatic that my son was just like me … at home in the kitchen!

    Our small purchase from Sur la Table …

    Dylan actually came home and read this cookbook like it was a chapter book. The funniest piece of newly acquired knowledge was when Dylan said, “Mom, did you know you can make fried chicken?” Yes dear, you can make almost anything. Not all food comes pre-made from the deli. His response, “Well, you can’t make cheese unless you have a cow. So can we just buy the cheese from the store?” 

    Reading to me the ingredients and what we should make first. Together we made a grocery list and viola … good home-cooking. 
    Homemade Chili 

    Buttermilk Biscuits ‘cuz Dylan doesn’t like cornbread

    Now for the next meal Dylan informed me that I was a nerd in the kitchen. What? Yes, my son called me a nerd because I have so many gadgets, bowls, dishes, ramekins, and other cooking things. The plus side is he told me this was a good thing.

    Before adding the sauce

    I must admit … Amazing dinner!
    So we’ve done home cookin’ and Chinese, so what’s next  … Italian of course! Dylan just loves his plain cheese pizza; however, I will take artichoke hearts, spinach, mozzarella, and a little balsamic/olive oil mixture over cheese any day.

    Pizza Margherita

    My favorite … White pizza

    As Dylan likes to say Mama Mia … mmmmmwah and Bon Appetit!

  • Dylan’s Annual Gingerbread House

    As you may remember, last Christmas Dylan made his first gingerbread house. This year, he wanted to make it all from scratch! (Guess he has been spending too much time in the kitchen with Mom, more on that in another post) So needless to say, we made gingerbread (not the kind from a box) and we rolled it out, cut rectangular shapes, and even a chimney. Although this was not going to be a 3-D gingerbread house, Dylan was set on making it as realistic as possible.

    Homemade royal icing, M & M’s, Skittles, Tootsie Rolls, Candy Canes, Gumdrops, Licorice, and Mom’s homemade chocolate Snowman and Santa made this gingerbread house complete. Oh, and it was delicious!