Tonight for dinner upon request from my husband, I made saur kraut and kielbasa. The kielbasa was all caramelized in brown sugar and the kraut was very flavorful. Our veggie was green peas. Peyton told me he didn't like any of it, which he says every night when I'm making dinner. He's sitting there, not eating, saying "its's gross!" And "I'm full." To which I give my standard reply, "You will not get anything to eat later. No snacks, no treats."
We go through this every night. Unless I made cotton candy with skittles, Peyton is not going to like dinner. He went a step too far tonight though. At the table he says, "Mom never makes anything I like."
Paul laughed nervously.
Travis did goggle eyes.
I gave The Eye.
The Eye is capable of expressing numerous feelings with no words. Paul used to be afraid of The Eye. When we were both in youth group I was in charge of a drama and he thought he could skip a practice to play hockey. Paul and his buddy, Travis, called me to say they weren't going to be able to come. I was able to give The Eye over the phone. They came to practice.
I remember being the little kid at the table not liking certain foods. One time my mom made macaroni and cheese which I didn't like. I was made to sit at the table after everyone had finished. I did not eat it. My dad snuck back into the dining room and took care of it for me and said, Don't tell mom! I never told.
My mom also made us eat red beets. Eww, gag! The texture and flavor of red beets is absolutely disgusting. I probably cried everytime we had to "try" them.
The most memorable meal I didn't like though was liver. I hated it. I did not want to eat it. I was crying and gagging. I literally threw up some of the liver I had eaten back onto my plate. My mom didn't care, she made me eat it. (In her defense, I don't know if she realized that I actually puked. I used to be a teensy bit dramatic as a child.)
It's not like I expect my children to like all foods. Travis doesn't like mushrooms but all I ask is that he tries a bite. I put a measly portion of saur kraut on each kid's plate because I know they aren't going to love it.
I don't know if Peyton realizes how close he came to being pushed out of his chair. Words failed me. Then I said, "You don't know how good you have it! At least I don't make you eat red beets!"