Make Way for Chef Eli!

As promised, here is the second installment of what the kids were up to last week. Eli roused from his nap not long after Norah went down for hers on "Quiche Day". (They often have the same nap schedule, but not always)

I was mid kitchen clean-up, so after feeding him, I set him down in the living room to play and resumed the task of loading the dishwasher and wiping down counter tops. It wasn't long before I heard the plastic "clanging" of pots and pans in the play kitchen (which is nestled into a corner of our real kitchen).

As if trying to make up for missing out on"Pie Crust 101", he was cooking with feverish delight. This was the first time he's ever noticed, let alone shown an interest in playing with Norah's play kitchen (and I found it mildly humorous that he chose to wait until she was tucked in bed, fast asleep to make his move)

After he'd played contentedly for a good 5 minutes and showed no signs of stopping, I decided he needed an apron--for pictures, of course. (Jason has already chastised me for this emasculating act, I should add)

He quickly figured out that the elements made noise when pots and pans were placed on them. He pretty much thought that was the coolest thing ever.
Then there was a bit of a scuffle in the kitchen. Pots and pans went flying everywhere! I love his "Oh, did I do that?" expression (I'm not sure if he was more worried that I was going to brain him for rousing his slumbering sister, or that she would brain him for playing with her kitchen if she awoke)






At any rate, he made amends by hand washing the affected pots and pans...












At which point I introduced him to one of Mommy's favorite modern conveniences...

All-in-all, I think it was a pretty educational day at the Robinson County Culinary Institute. A few more lessons, and I might just turn over all kitchen-related tasks to our offspring!