A Six-Years-Old's Point of View: Healthy Versus Un-Healthy

We're at the dinner table enjoying what I'd consider a nice dinner. For once, my son (a.k.a the Screamer) is not yelling at the top of his lungs, the baby's not crying, and to top it off, my six-years-old (the pickiest eater I have ever met) actually likes what I cooked (veggie quesadillas and a sweet potato/apple concoction that was heavenly). If that didn't make me feel like I was in the Twilight Zone, the conversation that ensued sure did.

Alina (she's six): Hey, Mom, Mama, Mommy (she can never say my name just once) I really think the lunches at school are like unhealthy. Their quesadillas only have chicken and cheese, not veggies, and they come with rice. Don't ya think that's wrong? I think I should tell them they need to give us veggies. It's like they're making lunch for them to eat, not us kids. Don't they know we're growing still, and we need to eat healthy? (dead serious look on her face)

Me: Um, are you sure there aren't any vegetables? I kinda think they have to give you vegetables.

Alina: Mom, Mommy, Mama, aren't you listening? What I just tell you? (sigh) There aren't any veggies. (Big sigh here) So, I think I should bring my lunch a few days. Let's say three days I'm gonna buy and two days I'm gonna bring: Monday, Wednesday, Friday I'll buy. You know, they have lasagna rolls on Friday and they're healthy.

Me: Oh, really, they are? Ok, well sweetie, I do think it'd be a good idea for you to bring your lunch a few days a week. I'm with you on that one.

Alina: Yeah! (enormous smile on her face) I so know what I'm having in my lunch - a sandwich, but not peanut butter because I cannot stand peanut butter, then probably fruit snacks, chips, and an Oreo for dessert.

Me: Um, so Lina, what are you going to bring for your veggies?

Alina: Mommy, Mom, Mama, why do I need to bring veggies in my lunch?

Me: (Staring at her in amazement seriously doing everything in my power not to laugh)

Alina: Mom! Mama! Mommy! What is that crazy look on your face for?

And thus no longer is she 60 but back to being 6!