The kitchen was alive with laughter, clinking bowls, and the fresh scent of vegetables. Today was special—Lala was determined to help her mom prepare their favorite salad. She stood proudly on her little step stool, sleeves rolled up, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Mom laid out the ingredients one by one: crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, sweet carrots, and a little bit of cheese. “Are you ready, my helper?” Mom asked with a smile. Lala nodded eagerly, reaching for the lettuce leaves. She tore them into small pieces with such concentration, as if each piece had to be perfect.
Next came the cucumbers. Mom gently guided Lala’s hands as she helped slice them into thin circles. “Look, Mom, they’re like little green wheels!” Lala giggled, holding one up to her eye like a monocle. They both laughed, enjoying every step of the process.
The carrots were Lala’s favorite. With a child-sized grater, she carefully shredded them, watching the bright orange strands pile up like tiny ribbons. “So pretty!” she exclaimed, sprinkling them into the bowl. Then came the cherry tomatoes. Lala popped one into her mouth before tossing the rest into the salad. Mom pretended not to notice, just smiling knowingly.
Finally, it was time to mix everything together. Lala used two big spoons, clumsily tossing the colorful ingredients until they looked just right. Mom added a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, letting Lala stir once more to finish it off.
When they sat down at the table, the bowl of salad looked like a rainbow. “We made this together,” Lala said proudly, taking her first crunchy bite. Mom leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Yes, and it tastes even better because of you.”
The simple act of preparing a salad had turned into something much more—a memory full of love, laughter, and teamwork. For Lala, cooking with Mom wasn’t just about food, it was about feeling special, important, and deeply connected.
And that favorite salad? It became even more favorite that day.
