Eli (at the dinner table): “Why do we have to eat greens and black eyed peas on New Year’s Day?”
Me: “Because southern tradition says that the greens represent paper money, and the peas represent coins. If you eat both on January 1st, you’re supposed to get lots of money in the new year.”
Eli: (With gusto never before shown toward a vegetable): “Well, I wanna eat some greens and black eyed peas, then!”
He ate one pea and a piece of collard green about the size of my thumbnail.
Eli: “What about the carrot? Is there any money attached to the carrot?”
Me: (laughing) “No, not that I’ve heard. They’re good for your eyes, though.” He didn’t eat the carrot.
Not to be outdone, Zach decided to try both…and nearly gagged on the greens. But he managed to choke it down.
Then my mom got up to get a second helping of collard greens.
Eli: “Nana! You are getting seconds? You are going to be SO rich this year!”
Then Eli climbed up onto his grandfather’s lap and whispered, “Papa, you better go get seconds, too. Because if you do, you’ll be able to buy anything you want!”
Too cute! You never know what that kid is going to say!