Tentative Parenting : Being You

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”  

                                                                   -- Dr. Seuss

I was at the PBWC Conference today and it was a day of positive affirmations for me - absolutely essential - the last few days had been intense due to quarter end work.  Got to hear some inspiring speakers, spend time with friends (made new friends) and meet some larger than life personalities.

I made it home in time to pick K2 from his extended daycare and he was in a buoyant mood and  as usual we started talking.

K2: Ma - I think I have a 3 on Social Sciences (side note - his weak subject and a 3 means he is doing great!)
Working Mom : Great! How do you know?
K2: Ms. N showed me the progress report. BTW, Something happened today. 
Working Mom (slight heart rate going up) : Ummm...what?
K2:  There is a Cooking Club happening tomorrow and they are baking pies. None of my friends wanted to go (read : boys!). I told the teacher I wanted to go and she asked me what kind of pie I wanted to bake and I said Apple. Guess, what C and S changed their minds and want to bake pies too! 

I was ecstatic with this conversation for two reasons - (a) my son is learning to appreciate the priceless art that is cooking and not relegating it to "girl" territory...so I am getting thro' to him (b) "Being You" is a concept he is embracing with open arms...even when he has to do it alone

So when the monkey asked me for Quesadilla  (yet again!) -- I of course had to say Yes!  But my Quesadillas are actually GREAT for him...and he says they are the best tasting ones he has ever had (more power to me!)

Here's how I made it  (literally took me 15 minutes!) if you want to try them at home. I confess to eating them myself and feeling great about it -- the nutritional profile is amazing and the taste is to die for !!!

1. Trader Joe's Whole Grain Flour Tortillas with Flax Seeds (really great ingredients with 5 gm of Fiber and 100% Whole Grain)
2. Cheese of Choice was a variety of Organic Cheeses from Horizon
3. Veggie Mix ( I dumped a can of Whole Foods Black beans, chopped onions (about 1/4), chopped cilantro (to taste), grated beets (1 medium sized) with salt, cumin powder and microwaved for 3 minutes. Mix and Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
4. Heat a flat skillet - I added  a touch of Olive Oil and cooked one side of the tortilla, flipped and then added the veggies and cheeses to the cooked side. Fold and let the cheese melting magic happen.

So to K2 and his friends I say in the words of Dr.Seuss - So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.

P.S - Tomorrow marks the 2nd Anniversary of my Bapa being gone - he is loved and remembered.