Learning About Interesting Fruits
So, we were at the grocery store the other day, and while we were at the fruit section of the store buying bananas and oranges, I noticed they had fresh coconuts for sale! Hmmm… Coconuts… I must have made mention of it out loud because I heard Connor replied “Coconuts? Where?!!!!!!” As I looked around a bit more, I noticed they had all kinds of exotic fruits for sale, mangos, papayas, pineapples, and some who’s names I didn’t quite recognize. Then I had an idea. We ended up buying one of 8 different types of fruit – most of which were exotic or unusual for the area – and took them home. The goal: teach their names and allow the boys to be able to sample each of them.
So after homework, dinner, and play time, we set up a special family activity with all the fruits – which consisted of:
· Pineapple
· Coconut
· Plantain
· Mango
· Peach
· Plum
· Mango
· And Kiwi
The boy’s cousin, Lilly, joined, and we took about 10 minutes memorizing the names of the different fruits. Then we took turns selecting which fruit we’d experience next – with saving the pineapple and coconut till last.
The coconut was a bit of an experience, insomuch that I had never attempted to crack open a coconut in the past. I’d heard once before an easy way to do it, and after a quick double check , was quite pleased with myself when it was opened with one good whack. J I’m now officially ready to be stranded on a desert island!
We all enjoyed the fruits, with everyone having their favorites – Rocky: the mango, Connor: pineapple, and I was kind of partial to the papaya.
After tasting all the fruits – I threw them all together into a fruit salad that ended up being amazingly delicious! I can’t remember having a fruit salad like that since I lived in Brazil! If only for that, this is a definite do again! (why can’t we find fruit salad’s like this when we go out to eat?!)
At the end of the day, it was good, healthy desert, and hopefully the boys learned something. I’m never quite sure if I’m doing everything I should as a single dad, I hope in all of this I get something right along the way.
Mmm, what a delicious activity. My son and I LOVE fresh fruits and vegetables. He's always been so great about eating them. Each week, I let him select something from the produce section that he wants to try. Harmons in particular has a great selection of exotic fruits. It's fun and it keeps him interested in eating the right kinds of food. Something else that is really fun to try with your kids is gathering a selection of fruits to eat with Miracle Fruit. Miracle Fruit makes sour foods taste sweet (lemons taste like lemonade!). It's amazing. If you think you like papaya now, wait until you taste it with Miracle Fruit. That was my favorite the last time we did it.
brian you are the coolest dad ever. your boys are so incredibly lucky to have you--you even teach them healthy eating habits!! that is not usually normal for a DAD to do. heehee :)
Mmmm...it sounds Yummy Delicious! :) Way to go Dad!!It seems like you've always been an Amazing Dad and I don't know why you doubt that. You're a wonderful teacher and that is what we are supposed to do as parents. I admire all your efforts in taking time out for your boys even though you are so busy!