Kyle will be living it up at Bar Cento’s special Terra Madre event tonight (he’s taking photos of the fabulous food, and he’ll tell me all about how mind-blowingly delicious it all was when he gets home, which will make me feel even sorrier for myself and my night home alone with the kids). The last time he took photos for Jonathon he came home with some kick-ass, way-out-of-our-league red wine that made me forget all about how jealous I was to have stayed home. Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight too, and he’ll bring me a pig’s ear or something.

Kade has always been pretty transient in his choice of what he wants to be when he grows up, which is understandable when you are four and you have over a decade or more left to decide. Lately though, he’s been keen on the career of chef. He is very intrigued with the process of cooking and likes to make meals for everyone in his play kitchen and imaginary kitchen at the pool and playground.

He turned the area beneath his fort on our playground into a restaurant. I went to order my meal and he said, “I already made you some mushrooms, Mama. They help keep your sugar low.” This kid is more aware of the nuances of diabetes than some physicians I know. I’m not sure where he got the mushroom idea from, exactly, but they are a yummy, low-carb delight.

He also cooks at the pool every day. He shows off his culinary expertise by mixing up soup for the moms and kids splashing in the sun. Shark soup, kim-chee soup, tomato soup and alphabet soup are among his far-reaching recipe base.

When we were on our way to Chef’sWidow’s son’s birthday party last weekend, he asked if the chef would be handing out hats to everyone. The chef’s hat he got from our last Cook Chefin’ outing was destroyed and he still hasn’t gotten over it.

He told Kyle and I that he would like to be a chef at McDonald’s one day. Stifling giggles, we both asked him why. His response, “They make good food there.” Note to self: no more fast food, on the go lunch runs. (In reality, he could care less about what he’s eating from there…it’s all about the toy.)

Last night at dinner he listed his favorite things to eat. “Nuggets, mac and cheese, waffles, pancakes, cucumbers (whew…one green thing), and lollipops (I just asked him again as I was typing this so I got it right).” Only one of those things is on the golden arches’ menu (we’ve never eaten there for breakfast) so I guess I’m off the hook.  Mama-guilt can be a real bitch.

Maybe Kyle should have taken Kade to the event with him tonight. He could have added some new foods to his list, expanded his make-believe food repertoire, sampled food that actually tastes good, and left with a brand-spanking new chef’s hat. See it really isn’t about the food with kids…it’s about what they get to take home.