Emery's directions for helping mommy make Lentil Stew

1. Point and make unintelligible noises at the computer till mommy turns on the Christmas music.
2. Dance a little to get in the mood.
3. Climb up on the chair mommy pulled up the the counter.
4. Pull carrots out of the bag so mommy can peel them.
5. Take the chopped carrots out of the bowl and put them into the crock pot (which already has lentils and water in it) one fistfull at a time.
6. Wait after each fistfull for mommy to gratefully and exuberantly thank me for my helpfulness.
7. Remind mommy every minute or two that the crock pot is "hot."
8. Take a few bites of raw carrot before throwing it in the crock pot.
9. Drop a carrot on the floor, climb down off the chair, pick it up, climb back on the chair, and put it directly into the crockpot. (mommy's insert: don't worry... if we are having visitors mommy will omit this step).
10. Now add fistfulls of celery to the crockpot. (repeat step 9 as needed)
11. Now add fistfulls of onion to the crockpot. (repeat step 9 as needed)
12. Every so often, stir with a wooden spoon.
13. Take a big bite of raw onion, make a face, and spit it out.
14. Hold the measuring spoon while mommy measures the oregano, basil, salt, celery salt, and paprika. Then dump it in the crock pot.
15. Hold each seasoning one by one as mommy lifts me up to put it away in the cupboard.
16. Put each vegetable back in the refrigerator.
17. Dance some more to the Christmas music
18. Get my blankie to go down for a nap.