I was recently at the grocery store and spotted some fresh dates. I eat dried dates all of the time, my favorite being the dark Medjool dates that have a lovely caramel flavor. The first time I tried the fresh dates, they were bitter but still good – what I didn’t realize is that they benefit from a few days on the counter so that they become soft and chewy. I thought that my kids would love these. Sam’s reaction was both surprising and totally predictable – which makes no sense except that it does. So here we go, dates…
ME: Guys! I have something pretty special to share. What is this?
SAM: Is this the last mystery food ever?
ME: No, it’s not the last mystery food ever. What do you think that is?
EMMA: Juice and a vegetable?
ME: I’ll get you water.
ME: It’s not a vegetable.
EMMA: Fruit!
ME: Yes it’s a fruit. What kind of fruit is it?
SAM: I don’t know, but it’s squishy in some places.
ME: What do you guys think? What kind of fruit is that? Have you ever seen anything like it?
LAUREN: No.
ME: Should I open it up?
SAM: Wait, NO!
ME: What?
SAM: I want to guess what’s in it.
ME: Guess what color it is? OK. What color is it going to be inside?
EMMA: Blue.
ME: Blue? What do you think Sam?
SAM: The same color.
ME: You think it’s going to be the same color? Let’s see…
LAUREN: Wait, no!
ME: OK Lauren needs to guess. What is it?
LAUREN: A little lighter of a brown…
ME: OK. Here we go…
ALL: [GASP] WHOA!
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