Snorkel Anyone???

Fridays are usually our "Family Fun Night". The boys and I go the the library and check out a couple videos, or go to the closest Red Box (if only I could remember to return them by 9 the next night). We then would pick something up for dinner, but in an effort to cut back on some "extra" expenses recently we decided to make homemade pizza every Friday for our family night. The pizza actually turned out great and has received rave reviews by the three men in this house! So...this last Friday Joel asked if he could help. I love it when my kids ask if they can help! It gives them opportunities to learn a new skill or develop a prior learned one, plus it usually ends up creating lasting memories for them. Joel is getting to that age and maturity where I can trust him to use a kitchen knife without cutting his finger off. It took me a long time to get there, but it was worth it because he takes the job seriously and is very, very careful. I had him cut the veggies for the pizzas and when he cut into the onion he looked up at me and said, "MOM." He had tears running down his face and was reaching up to rub his eyes. Sam and I both looked at him and said, "NO!" We then explained to him that it was the onion that made his eyes burn and that he needed to step away from it and go wash his hands and it would get better. We then came up with a pretty creative solution aided by some old pictures I remember seeing of Joel's uncles. Joel got a big kick out of it and gave it a big thumbs up as far as it actually working. I'm sure next time I cut into an onion he'll want me to try on the fine apparatus! I probably will...I love making my kids laugh!