Cooking with Mommy: Toddler in the Kitchen

Some days Mommy and I stay home, and other days we go on very important adventures like finding the best puddle. But no matter what, when it’s time to make dinner, I report for duty. Being a toddler in the kitchen is serious business. There are onions to squish, spoons to clang, and absolutely no time for tears.

We begin the process by opening the refrigerator and looking for the food we’re going to make. I can’t get the refrigerator open by myself, but as soon as I see Mommy open it, I get right in there to help make the important decisions. I grab the yogurt and salad dressing while Mommy picks her own items. Then Mommy takes my things from me while I close the refrigerator door.

Next, Mommy brings our things over to the sink to get them ready for cooking. Mommy gives me an onion to examine while she cuts the fat off the chicken. I get a bit bored, and I go into the living room. Once I’m there, I realize I’m still holding the onion, so I put it down underneath the coffee table.

I hear the water running, so I rush back into the kitchen to see what Mommy is up to. It looks like Mommy is washing the vegetables, and I want to help. I squeeze in between Mommy and the sink, and I get up on my tippy toes, but I’m still too short to reach. Mommy gives me a green bean to hold.

I decide to take my green bean for a little run. I do three laps around the kitchen island at a fast jog. Of course a run isn’t really a run unless you’ve got your siren on, so I make sure to yell the entire time. Then I get a little tired, and I sit down on the floor. This gives me a good opportunity to take a closer look at my green bean.

From Toddler in the Kitchen to Toddler in the Pantry

Half a minute later I’m back on my feet looking for some way to make myself useful. I watch Mommy for a moment. She puts the chicken in the oven and heads to the pantry cupboard, where she takes something out and closes the door. I decide to get involved. First I look in on the chicken for a moment, and then I head over to the pantry. I fling the door open and consider my next step carefully.

I pull out the bags of pasta and look at them with satisfaction. Next I see a box full of pouches that I recognize. It’s the fruit baby food that gets added to my oatmeal. I take them out of the box and scatter them among the bags of pasta. Finally, I go for the jug of vegetable oil. It’s a bit heavy, and I struggle with it a little, but I manage to work it loose, get it out of the cupboard, and put it with the noodles and baby food.

Time for a little break. I head to the living room and over to the bookshelf. Making myself comfortable, I sit on the floor and pull out some books. I like to turn the pages, and that keeps me occupied for a few minutes. It’s nice to have a break after spending all that time helping with dinner. I decide that Mommy could use a break too so I grab a book and go to look for her.

Soon I find Mommy at the stove putting vegetables in a pot of water. I walk over with my book and hold it up for Mommy. She doesn’t notice, so I nudge her with it a little. Mommy thanks me for the book as she takes it and puts it up on the counter. That was quick. I decide that Mommy needs another book, so I head back into the living room and repeat the process.

A dozen books later, I figure Mommy has had enough reading for the time being. Mommy tells me I’m being very helpful and that I’m a good girl. She says we both earned a break and that we can go in the living room for a bit while the chicken and vegetables cook. We play with my toys for a few minutes.

After a little while the phone rings, and Mommy answers it. Mommy talks on the phone for a minute or two while I climb all over her and try to press the shiny buttons on the phone. Mommy gets off the phone, gives me a kiss, and heads back in the kitchen. I follow closely.

Putting it all Together

Mommy unlocks the cupboard with the pots and pans. While Mommy searches for the small gravy pot, I try to get in the cupboard. It’s not easy to get around the big soup pot. I almost manage to push past when Mommy finds what she’s looking for, lifts me out of the cupboard, and shuts the door.

Mommy reaches into one of the drawers and pulls out a whisk. I like the whisk, and I reach for it. Mommy gives me a slightly bigger whisk to play with, and I’m satisfied with that arrangement. I sit on the floor behind Mommy, and we both whisk for a bit. I’m done whisking before Mommy and I start looking for something to do.

I decide to try the pot and pan cupboard again. I walk over and try to get the doors open, but they won’t budge. They’re stuck! I start to get frustrated a little when Mommy hands me a cooked green bean and tells me to taste it. I put one end of the bean in my mouth and give it a nibble. It’s pretty good. I like beans.

I’m about halfway through my bean when I hear a noise in the living room. I peek around the corner, and I see some commotion near the couch. As I get a little closer I see that our cats are playing a game of tag. I try to join in, but they both run away. They’re very good at tag!

By the time we get back into the kitchen, Mommy has dinner ready on the table. It smells yummy! I’m suddenly very hungry. I don’t protest while I’m strapped into my high chair. I look at all the delicious food, and I’m amazed by what Mommy and I can do with just a few basic ingredients. Such a perfect feast, and it all started with yogurt, salad dressing, and a toddler in the kitchen.