Happy Birthday PJ!!

If you have super-vision, you can see that says 34.

He gets little mention on this blog, but he's the best husband and daddy I could have asked for. He works hard and plays hard and loves his family more than anything. (Yes, even more than basketball OR super heroes OR Star Wars) The kids and I surprised him at work with a kid-made sign and Costco sized Jelly Bellys, then had a family party where he was the Smokin' & Grillin' Master. He said that this year was his second favorite birthday ever - second only to the year that I surprised him with Foo Fighters and Chris Isaak concerts. So that's saying something! So glad you had a great day Babe!

Now, for a little PJ retrospective:

Maceism of the Day - 7/18/10

I've been working with the kids to try and encourage them to speak more kindly to one another and other people. We have a system where they earn tokens (poker chips) each time they ask nicely for something or speak kindly to someone. If they're particularly rude or mean, they lose a token. At the end of the day, each token is worth a penny. So, in theory, they could earn a couple of dollars just by being nice.

Anyway, today, Mace looks at his cup, which has about 6 pennies, and comments that he has a lot of money. I respond that he could have a lot more - implying that he needs to speak kindly more often. To which he replies (very matter-of-factly), "Well, give me more then." Oh yeah, it's definitely sinking in.

My New Favorite Breakfast

Baked Oatmeal! I just love it. It fills me up very nicely until lunch, and is actually pretty good for you. Top with your favorite flavors: I've used sliced strawberries, and today sauteed up some chopped apple in a little butter and brown sugar. Pecans or other nuts would probably be nice, as well. PJ puts more sugar on his, but I think it's sweet enough as is.

I make a batch, put the leftovers in the fridge and warm up portions throughout the week. The original recipe had more sugar, no applesauce or flax, and made enough for a 9" square pan. I made it a little healthier and cut it by half for just PJ and me. Super yummy!

My adapted recipe:

1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 t baking powder

1/2 t cinnamon (I think I do more)

1/2 t salt

1 scoop (approx. 2 T) flaxseed meal (you can omit if you don't have, but it's really nice nutritionally)

1/2 cup milk

3 T butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Additional milk

Fruit, nuts, other as desired

In a large bowl, combine the oats, sugar, spices and flaxseed. In a small bowl, combine the milk, butter, eggs and applesauce. Stir into oat mixture until blended.

Spoon into a greased 9" loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes or until set. Serve warm with milk and your choice of assorted toppings.

This makes 2-4 servings (depending on your definition of a portion.)

Math Problem of the Day

1 bedroom + 1 dog + normal amount of toys x 5 very generous grandparents - 75% of toys already packed away because boys won't clean their room + 1 room sweep by mom, squared (for 2 boys) =

I tell you, I don't know how to get them to maintain their stuff. Tristen is pretty helpful, but Mace is completely useless when it comes to focusing enough to clean (or really do anything, for that matter). Putting that pile away will likely take them the rest of the day, with lots of playing and fighting along the way. But I'm sure not doing it!!

Random Pics

"I'll help you, MaraJade!"

All bias aside, that's one darn cute chubby baby!Reading the Sunday comics for the first timeShy, stubborn birthday girl

I just love this picture

That's my sweet baby!

The Perpetually Bedraggled Princess is 4!

I really can't believe my baby girl is 4. Somehow, her pregnancy and infancy still seem so vivid as to have just happened. But she is a big girl. She's bossy and sassy, sweet and lovable, and constantly bedraggled and messy. She loves to sit quietly and play with any sort of doll, she lives in her princess dress-up dresses with clackety shoes, she sings along with her favorite shows, and will color for hours.

We had her party on Sunday, since my mom and other family happened to be in town. Then, Wednesday was her day - she got to choose her food all day (Eggos, then Bagel Bites, then chicken nuggets with applesauce and carrots), I took her to Target to buy another Princess Polly Pocket with her birthday money, then we came home and made cupcakes. Quite the spoiled girl - appropriate for a princess. :-)