I'm Sick

I am sick, I don't feel good. My head hurts, my sinuses are causing major pain to my teeth, my glands are swollen and I am achy all over.

I hate feeling sick.

Oh, and I have about 12 loads of laundry waiting for me to fold in the family room.

Falafel with Avocado Spread

This recipe comes from Cooking Light. I tried it last week and everyone ate it; meaning, my kids ate it and loved it too! Very yummy and super healthy.

Ingredients
Patties:
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup finely crushed baked tortilla chips (about 3/4 ounce)
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil

Spread:
1/4 cup mashed peeled avocado
2 tablespoons finely chopped tomato
1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/8 teaspoon salt

Remaining ingredients:
2 (6-inch) pitas, each cut in half crosswise
4 thin red onion slices, separated into rings
Microgreens
Preparation
To prepare patties, place pinto beans in a medium bowl; partially mash with a fork. Add cheese and next 5 ingredients (through egg white); stir until well combined. Shape bean mixture into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) oval patties.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until patties are browned and thoroughly heated.

To prepare spread, combine avocado and next 5 ingredients (through salt), stirring well. Place 1 patty in each pita half. Spread about 2 tablespoons avocado spread over patty in each pita half; top with onions and greens.

Mr. B Turns 6! (much to his delight)

After months of anticipation and endless birthday wish lists Mr. B finally turned 6. The day of his actually birthday was quiet. We had him wait until late afternoon to open his presents (I know, we are so mean) and then enjoyed a nice birthday dinner with some friends and, of course, cake.

Beeb Logic: Nose Wind Continued . . .

Beeb just ran up to me and released her "nose wind" into my face again.

"What does that smell like?" she asks eagerly.

"Cereal." I reply.

"No! What does it smell like?" she demands.

"It smells like cereal." I say.

Obviously frustrated with me she clarifies, "I just tooted and smelled it."

Great. Thank Beeb. . . not.

Waking Up

My niece stayed with us the past few days and in our conversations I tried to convey to her that the love you have for your children, well, there's no comparison.

Example:

Yesterday morning Mr. B woke me up by coming in to my bedroom and asking if he could snuggle with me. He was thrilled when I told him "of course" and even more thrilled when after getting under the covers with me he said "you're warm!" and snuggled in closer. The love enveloped me.

Later that morning I had to wake Beeb up so we would get to the dentist on time. As I gently woke her she stretched and yawned and put her arms straight out in front of her and insisted I give her a hug that lasted minutes. Her warm little arms holding me tightly filled my heart to the brim.

These two little innocents fill my life with more tender loving emotion I could ever fathom prior to their existence. Of course knowing and feeling this I realize there is someone out there who feels the same way about me (and you).

Beeb Logic

This morning while I was enjoying my fourth bowl of cereal Beeb came up to me and said, "Tell me what this smells like." and then proceeded to exhale out her nose and into my face. My response, "It smells like your nose." Not satisfied with this response she ran back to the family room, took another deep breath and repeated her "nose wind" in my face. "Well?" she said. "Beeb, it smells like your nose." I replied.

Apparently Mr. B had some contraband in the family room (balls that crackle/pop when you strike them against each other and have the after smell and smoke of a cap gun) that was leaving the family room with that yummy smokey smell. Instead of just telling me what was going on Beeb wanted me to have the full effect that smell via her lungs. Nothing like some smokey nose wind at 8:30 in the morning.

Yep, That's The Man

Here he is in all his hotness, AH:



My poor husband has been under such stress these past few months when just after his team was dissolved it was announced that the company would be laying people off. Despite his excellent performance and recent promotion he was one of the many chosen (since his team was dissolved and he didn't technically have a job) but thankfully he was one of the few given 60 days to find a new position within the company before being laid off.

Just 24 hours before his last day AH accepted a position on a team within the company. I was out last night visiting our neighbor and when I got home I was SHOCKED that AH wasn't watching Survivor. I headed upstairs and found him on the phone and I thought he was prepping for his third interview of the week (which would have taken place today) but instead he saw me and mouthed, "I got the job." and I nearly collapsed to the floor in relief.

Way to go AH - you did an amazing job these past few months and I am proud of you!



PS - I'm going to hear about this post shortly I'm sure - AH hates it when I talk about him!

Is It A Bribe Or A Reward?

In our Incredible Years class last week we had a discussion about the definition of a bribe vs. reward. How do you define the two?

Carolyn, the founder, said that a bribe is something you offer before the work is done and a reward is given after the work is done.

Example of a Bribe: "You can have this candy if you promise to be good in the store." - parent hands candy over.

Example of a Reward: "If you can talk softly and walk in the library then I'll let you pick out a special movie to take home." - reward is only given if the child follows the simple instructions.

Rewarding your child for work done encourages positive behavior and should be used in conjunction with other positive parenting principles. They are working in our house and I love not feeling guilty about it since it is not a "bribe".

Overheard

Tonight while I was making dinner Beeb came into the kitchen, took a chair and dragged it into the family room. Next I heard her say, "And now it's time for the whoopie dance!" followed by fake flatulence.



At dinner AH said, "I can't believe YOU bought those things for the kids."

15 Minutes

Today we took a walk as a family on a trail near our house. The kiddo's rode their scooters and had fun splashing through the puddles. Early on we heard a sound I can only describe as a roar from the woods around us. AH wondered what it was, I assumed it was a bear. A few minutes later we heard another louder noise which AH told me was thunder as he look behind us to see a massive dark cloud headed our way. Then the sky lit up with lightning closely followed by a huge thunder clap, which had Beeb declaring she wanted to head home, and then the heavens opened. Within a 15 minute period we had lightning, thunder, heavy rain, hail, snow rain mix and wind.

It was fun!

(Sorry Mr. B, I didn't like any of the close-ups I got of you today. I'll do better next time.)

Harvard Day of Faith Panel

This morning I watched an interesting video featuring Rachel Esplin, a 20-year old Mormon at Harvard, taking part in a religious panel. In this segment Rachel was questioned by journalist Sally Quin about the LDS religion. I am impressed with Rachel's knowledge, thoughtful answers and humbleness.

It's definitely worth a view.


Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - 3. Rachel Esplin from Harvard Hillel on Vimeo.

Beeb & Mr. B Logic

Last week Beeb announced that Grandpa will be 70 on his next birthday. . . and he would die. I am not sure where the death idea came from but I hope it is not true. Listening to Beeb's announcement and AH's and my chuckling over Beeb's prediction Mr. B chimed in to ask, "Can I have his trains?"

Sorry Mr. B, Grandpa is not going anywhere any time soon AND you'll have to wrestle Uncle T for the trains. :-)