The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the small, cozy kitchen. Lala stretched her arms wide, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She heard the familiar sound of her mom humming softly in the living room, preparing for their morning routine.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom said with a bright smile as Lala shuffled in, still hugging her pillow. “Are you ready to start the day strong?”
Lala nodded, though a little slowly. “I’m ready, but… maybe after five more minutes?” she mumbled.
Mom laughed. “Nope! We promised each other we’d move our bodies every morning. Come on, let’s shake the sleep away.”
Morning Exercise
They rolled out their yoga mats on the balcony where the fresh air was cool and the sky painted in soft shades of pink and orange. Birds chirped nearby as if cheering them on. Mom guided Lala through gentle stretches first—reaching arms to the sky, bending down to touch toes, then side stretches that made Lala giggle because her balance wobbled.
“Breathe in deeply,” Mom reminded. “Fill your lungs with fresh air. And breathe out slowly.”
Lala copied, puffing her cheeks before exhaling dramatically. “Like this?”
“Exactly,” Mom chuckled.
After stretching, they shifted into light exercises. Together, they did jumping jacks, arm circles, and squats. Lala, determined to show her strength, counted loudly: “One! Two! Three!” Sometimes she lost track and repeated numbers, but Mom didn’t mind.
When it came time for yoga poses, Lala loved “tree pose” the most. She placed her small foot against her leg, hands pressed together in front of her chest. For a few seconds, she balanced perfectly.
“Look, Mom! I’m a tree!” she exclaimed proudly.
“You’re a very strong tree,” Mom replied. “But trees must stay steady even if the wind blows.”
The moment Mom pretended to be a gust of wind, swaying her arms toward Lala, the little girl burst into laughter and lost her balance, tumbling onto the mat. Their balcony filled with happy giggles that carried into the neighborhood.
They ended with some breathing and relaxation, lying flat on their mats, gazing up at the sky. Lala whispered, “I like this. My body feels awake.”
“That’s the magic of moving in the morning,” Mom said softly. “It gives us energy and makes us happier.”
A Colorful, Healthy Breakfast
After exercise, they headed back inside where the kitchen awaited. The fridge was stocked with colorful fruits and vegetables. Mom handed Lala a small apron with a strawberry print.
“Chef Lala is ready to help!” Lala declared.
“That’s my girl. Today, we’ll make a rainbow breakfast,” Mom said, setting out ingredients: bananas, strawberries, blueberries, spinach, eggs, oats, and yogurt.
First, they blended a smoothie. Lala carefully dropped pieces of banana and strawberries into the blender. “One red berry, two red berries, three red berries!” she counted.
Mom added a handful of spinach leaves. “This will make it green. Don’t worry, it still tastes sweet.”
When they turned the blender on, the noise made Lala cover her ears, but when it was done, she peeked inside and gasped. “Wow, it’s so green! Can I taste it?”
Mom poured the smoothie into two glasses. Lala took a sip, then her eyes lit up. “Mmm! It’s yummy! It tastes like fruit, not spinach.”
Next, they prepared oatmeal. Lala stirred the oats in warm milk, watching them grow soft and creamy. Together, they decorated the top with blueberries, banana slices, and a drizzle of honey.
“It looks like a smiley face!” Lala giggled as she placed blueberries for eyes and a banana slice for the mouth.
“Food tastes better when it makes us smile,” Mom said.
For protein, they made scrambled eggs with tomatoes and herbs. Lala cracked the eggs carefully, though one shell slipped in. “Oops!” she gasped.
“That’s okay,” Mom reassured, fishing it out. “Even chefs make mistakes. That’s how we learn.”
Finally, they set the table with their colorful dishes. The smoothie glowed green, the oatmeal was bright with fruit, and the scrambled eggs gave off a warm, savory aroma.
Eating Together
They sat across from each other, hands clasped for a moment of gratitude.
“Thank you for this food, and for our healthy bodies,” Mom whispered.
“Amen,” Lala added, copying her mom.
They dug in eagerly. Lala loved spooning the oatmeal first, giggling as she “ate the smiley face.” Then she sipped her smoothie and nibbled the scrambled eggs.
“Do you know why we eat these foods?” Mom asked.
“Because they’re yummy?” Lala guessed.
“Yes, but also because they help our bodies grow strong and smart. Fruits and vegetables give us vitamins, oats give us energy, and eggs help our muscles.”
Lala flexed her small arm. “Look, I’m strong already!”
Mom admired her “muscle” and laughed. “Yes, you are. And strong hearts too, because we share this time together.”
Lessons in the Morning
After finishing their breakfast, Lala leaned back with a satisfied sigh. “Mom, can we do this every day?”
“That’s the plan, sweetheart,” Mom replied warmly. “Starting the day with exercise and healthy food gives us power for everything else. Whether you’re learning at school, playing with friends, or helping at home, you’ll feel ready.”
Lala thought for a moment, then said, “I like it because it’s not just food and exercise. It’s fun… because I do it with you.”
Mom’s heart melted at those words. She reached across the table to hold Lala’s tiny hand. “That’s the most important part. We take care of our bodies, but also of our love for each other.”
The day stretched before them, filled with possibilities. But already, Lala and Mom had shared the most precious moments—moving, laughing, cooking, and eating side by side.
A Promise for Tomorrow
Before heading off to start the day’s tasks, Lala ran to the fridge and stuck a piece of paper on it. She had drawn two stick figures—one big, one small—doing jumping jacks together, with a rainbow bowl of food beside them. On top, she wrote in her careful handwriting:
“Mom + Lala = Strong & Happy!”
Mom’s eyes glistened as she hugged Lala tightly. “That’s our promise, every morning.”
And so, with hearts full and bodies energized, they stepped into the day, knowing that tomorrow would begin the same way—together, with exercise and tasty, healthy food.
