Lately, my kids have not been happy about dinner.  Maybe they think if they state their displeasure they will get to eat what they want. Another possibility, sibling rivalry… if one likes it, the other doesn’t.  Maybe they really don’t like it, but when I cook, they have to eat it.

I must admit I really haven’t been planning our dinners lately. When it is time to grocery shop, we pick up our usual chicken and beef and typical fruits and vegetables.  Then at 6:00 p.m. I realize I better get dinner started. I end up throwing something together that is quick and easy, like tacos, pasta or baked chicken.  I believe this makes a difference in their attitude towards dinner.

The last time my daughter expressed her displeasure (sounds better than complaining), I told her she was in charge of dinner the next night. Then I handed her a cookbook, luckily it was a kid’s cookbook.  The next night we had “porcupines” for dinner and the next week we had a wonderful pasta dish with a homemade cheese sauce.  I thought they were wonderful, but we had some grumbling from my son. So, next week, he will begin his weekly contribution to dinnertime.

Have you ever heard of “spaghetti tacos”?  A recent iCarly.com episode showed Spencer and Carly having “spaghetti tacos” for dinner.  My daughter wanted to try them and has been asking me to make them for a couple of weeks. Finally,  we declared last night “Crazy Dinner Night” and we made “Spaghetti Tacos”.  Basically, you make spaghetti, mix the sauce and noodles together, heat up some taco shells and insert the spaghetti. 

Taco Shells

add spaghetti

and you get…

Spaghetti Tacos!

Since my daughter brought it up, my son already decided he didn’t like it. Then he tried to convince me that they didn’t really eat them on the show. I did see that part of the episode, they did eat them and it sounded like fun!

One of our neighbors was at our house right around dinner time.  My son asked him if he wanted to stay for dinner.  He said, “Yes! What are you having?” I told him it was “Crazy Dinner Night” and we were having spaghetti tacos. He paused and then replied, “I don’t think I can stay for dinner, I have baseball practice.” Since it was almost 7:00 p.m., I asked him what time he had practice.  He replied, “Oh, it’s tomorrow night!” I had to keep myself from bursting out with laughter! Needless to say, he stayed long enough to get our reactions but quickly had to leave for dinner at his house.

Although, my son claimed he didn’t like it, the rest of the family loved it! We will definitely have another “Crazy Dinner Night” with spaghetti tacos on the menu.

MomsMaterial recommends having “Crazy Dinner Nights” and occasionally serving spaghetti tacos!