In those few weeks toward the end of summer vacation, we tried something new. Each kid planned and help cook dinner one night each week. On those nights, the other kids rotated between setting the table and helping clean up.

It was lots of fun, although it didn’t last after school started, due to after-school activities, homework, commuting time and a change in work schedule.  But before the season changes (tomorrow is the first day of autumn), I wanted to commemorate those weeks here.

Over the weekend, each kid would pick a meal and the ingredients would get added to the shopping list. Ron and I took turns in the kitchen with the chef of the night to help supervise.

It was educational for the kids as it was a refresher course for measurements and methods and it was a great way to spend some time together. The chef also got to pick the music.

Some of the meals were spaghetti with veggie meatballs, homemade mac and cheese, stuffed shells, homemade pizza, salmon and breaded chicken.

It got a little carb-heavy one week, as we didn’t coordinate well that week and everyone chose different versions of pasta, but we learned. Actually, I think we should try this again. It will take more planning because of everything else going on, but it’s worth a try.

I would say that I miss those summer days, but in Phoenix on the brink of fall and cooler temperatures, you don’t really want to say that.