FOODIE FRIDAY - Mom's Lemon Chicken

I love anything lemon flavoured.  And I like chicken too.  That's why this recipe is perfect for someone like me....and if you like lemon and chicken then this is the one for you too.

It's from my favourite cook book of all time, BITE ME.  I talked a bit about it here.  


John made this particular recipe for my birthday and it turned out absolutely ah-may-zing.  


And he's not a cook ... although he can cook but his imagination when it comes to the kitchen becomes a bit stalled.  And that's okay.  I love cooking, however if there's a night that I'm flat out exhausted and I ask him to cook, he will. usually order pizza.


The following recipe is great for a couple of things.  If you're not in the mood to get all fancy schmancy with lemon slices and it's too hot to have the oven on, the marinade itself is fabulous.  I've just thrown the chicken breasts on the bbq after marinating them for the day and served it with a salad or in an simple pasta for a light dinner.  However, the first time you MUST do the whole shebang.  It's worth it.  Serve it with rice and some green beans (or veg of your choice) and there's your dinner.

MOM'S LEMON CHICKEN


Marinade


3/4 fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 dry white wine (I love marinades with wine - a great excuse to sip while cooking...not that I've ever needed an excuse...heck, I'm sipping wine as I type right now)
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts


1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 tsp sea salt
4 tbsp olive oil divided in half
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
6 lemon slices

1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, for topping

1) Combine lemon juice, olive oil, white wine and chicken breasts sin a large glass bowl.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

2)  Preheat oven to 350 F.  Coat a 13x9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

3) In a medium bowl, combine flour, lemon zest, salt and pepper.  Remove chicken from the marinade and discard remaining marinade.  Lightly coat in flour mixture, shaking off excess.

4)  In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat.  Add half the chicken breasts and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side.  Transfer browned chicken to the prepared baking dish and repeat with remaining olive oil and chicken, adding to baking dish in a single layer.

5)  Sprinkle brown sugar over chicken breasts.  Pour chicken broth and lemon juice around the chicken.  Top each breast with a lemon slice and bake for 25 minutes.   Garnish with toasted sesame seeds (my husband forgot the sesame seeds when he made it but it was still fantastic)

BITE ME BIT:  "I believe if someone gives you lemons, make lemonade...then find someone that life gave vodka to and have a party."  - Ron White, comedian


*CUE MUSIC*   
(please be sure to have a listen to the songs I take the time to choose accordingly - personally it's my favourite part of writing Foodie Friday's)

For the love of Helmets and Candy

On our way to get Adrian's hair cut (due to the fact that I'm pretty sure I observed two very large birds eyeing his exorbitant abundance of curls, contemplating their next place of residence) he and I were discussing the purpose of helmet wearing.  A discussion that has happened before (a few times) however one cannot emphasize enough the importance of protecting your brain.

Playing with our neighbour's dirt bike toy that he asked to borrow that morning that also included a dirt bike rider wearing protective head gear, he asked, "Why is this guy wearing a helmet?"

"Anytime you ride on a bike or motorcycle you must wear a helmet because it keeps you safe...in case of an accident."

"Or you wear one on an ATV.  Like when my ankle got burned."

He was referring to an incident that occurred last summer while riding a child sized ATV that had an area of extremely hot, exposed muffler pipe (cause that's child friendly - this was not known by the owner's of the ATV or by us just to be clear).  His ankle happened to touch upon this area and basically singed about an inch or so round area of skin on the inside of his ankle...and melted the sole of his water shoe.

It was a terrible burn and although it healed well with no scarring, the experience is clearly scarred upon his little brain as a traumatic experience.  No doubt.

So, his reference to the ankle burning incident wasn't totally in sync with our conversation and though I'm pretty sure he got the gist I felt the need to clarify, "Well, helmets are more for protecting your head than your ankle honey."

"When my ankle got hurt I got candy.  Who gave me candy Mumma?"

You see where these discussions go with 3 year olds (or not, if you do not have one)....hither tither, here and there, bits and pieces.  

Mostly never what one would consider a normal pattern of conversation.

"I don't know hon, I wasn't there right when it happened." I was not in the vicinity when the event occurred but I was the one that got to hold his screaming, writhing body. As everyone knows Mumma's are always the first to be requested when such agony is present.

He ponders and then states, "I think it was Daddy.  Yeah...it was Daddy."

I respond dryly, "Yes, Daddy's always good for giving you candy isn't he?"

I look at him in the rear view mirror and he looks out his side window.

"Yeah.  Better than you."

I could nothing but guffaw.

Yes, I guffawed.

Because there is nothing more refreshing nor funnier than the truth at times.

And how interesting that he remembers the candy given to him by his father when he was in so much pain but not me, his MOTHER, the one who carried him for 9+ months and delivered his almost 10 lb LARGE headed body, holding him, comforting him, kissing away his tears and almost sobbing along with him while he screamed in agony.

Oh no.

It's all about the candy.

And you know what?

I kinda get it.

Sweet tooth's.  They must run in the family or something.

A Lesson in Courage

http://thingsicantsay-shell.blogspot.com

This past week-end we had the pleasure of being invited up to a friend's cottage on the lake with another family for the second year in a row.  That is, if you consider a 6000 square foot building fit with 4 bedrooms and a separate 2 bedroom bunky a cottage.

During our fabulous stay which included jumping on a water trampoline, going for power boat rides, dune buggy riding and hanging out sipping wine as they cooked gourmet meals for us, we also went tubing.

Well, I went tubing.

The suggestion was also to go with my 3 year old son.

The thought at first made me tremendously nervous.  Not because I don't like water - I love it and am quite adept at swimming.  However, neither of my boys are what one would consider water babies.  They will play and splash around in shallow water but any droplet of water that may even threaten to go near the face is cause for some serious hysterics.

I can't even wash their hair without high pitched screams and insane dramatics.

Which is why their hair gets washed a mere once or twice a week.

I don't know where this anxiety grew from as they've been exposed to pools and lakes since they were about 6 months old.

And as a matter of fact don't they spend the first 9 +  months of their lives living, breathing and eating in water!!??

In any case it's a real fear and it cannot be ignored.

It had been a long time since I'd been tubing and water skiing.  And although water skiing was out of the question due to a bad fall many years ago which resulted in my ass feeling like it was split in two, tubing it was.

Of-course as soon as Adrian knew Mommy was going to have some fun he had to join in.

On he jumped, and off we went.....slllloooowwwlllly.

Now, this 'tube' was not a tube exactly.  It was more of a flat flotation device with handles where you lie on your stomach while gripping the handles with fierce instensity.  There were 6 handles in total and I was situated in the middle with my left arm over my son's back holding onto the same handle as he was.

After a few minutes of going at a sloth-like pace and asking Adrian if it was okay to go a little faster I motioned towards the boat a thumbs up.

The boat sped up but for some reason instead of the tube rising out of the water as it well should, it started to sink, water gushing up over the tube and....

.......then.....

......we went under......

As soon as I saw Adrian's head completely submerge into the water, the panic that engulfed me was like nothing else I've ever felt before.

And the fact that I could do nothing to prevent his biggest fear from happening was a sickening feeling.

As quick as that feeling of helplessness whipped through my body, my head went under too.

I became tangled and disoriented, my only thought was to get above the water to ensure my son was okay.

It was only a matter of mere seconds, but it felt like minutes.

Up I came and there he was.

Very wet, very safe and very terrified.

Not only was his face totally emerged in lake water but now he was in the middle of this awful lake with nothing to hold onto....but me.

I found something out about myself.

I'm pretty good at treading water whilst holding a 42 lb screaming child.

The boat came around and we were pulled to safety.

I should have slapped away the thought before the words were formed and came tumbling out, "There is no way he's going to want to get back on that tube."

Because you know what?

He did.  (never, ever underestimate your child!)


There were two reasons why the tube went under.  It didn't have enough air and I was lying too far forward.

After the tube was properly inflated and an amazing pep talk from his dad with words of encouragement from everyone else he got back on that tube.  It wasn't without some fear and a few tears but he did it.

My heart was so swollen with pride that my throat felt thick and my eyes welled with tears.

The rest of the tube ride was without incident and though he was tired, claiming near the end he "needed a nap" he rode it to the very end.

I hope Adrian reads this story one day and I hope he always remembers it when life throws pitfalls, challenges and heartbreak in his direction.

You are so, so brave my son.

Remember that.

Today you taught me a lesson.

In courage.

And because of you, next year I will attempt water skiing.

Once again.

Just before we went under.
It's quite apparent I'm clueless as to what's about to happen.
Adrian, on the other hand is not.

After the incident.
Me and my brave boy.

What do Paint and Poop Have in Common?

Finley was having a nap and since it was quite literally hotter than India outside I asked Adrian what he wanted to do, inside.

"Paint!"

Out came the ginormous tupperware container filled with finger paints, water paints, glitter paints, acrylic paints, tempra paints....you name it I probably have it.

He started off with the water colours as I sat there watching his little face concentrate on dipping the brush in water and then debate which colour to choose.

Brown it was.

He's painting away and "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga starts up on the radio.

"Oh!  I LOVE this song!"  He exclaims, not even breaking concentration.

Paint, paint, stroke, stroke.

"This one's for Gaga" He tells me with a smile.  Funny enough he calls my Mum Gaga, his result of attempting to say Grandma at a very young age.

It stuck ever since.

I think he was feeling guilty for not speaking to her on the telephone this morning when he was being quite irritable for whatever reason.  Probably the fact that I was on the phone.

As all parents know once phone is in hand and attention is not 110% on child (even if child would be watching their favourite Scooby Doo episode) they decide they need a snack or juice right now, get into an epic battle with their sibling...or sneak off and decorate the bathroom with toilet paper.

He finishes the painting, which turned out quite beautifully I might add, and moved on to the next.

A much bigger one.  For Daddy.

He decides he wants to use the squeezable brush paints this time that are deemed 'no mess'.

FYI - nothing to do with kids and crafts but especially paints are ever 'no mess'.

Especially when that paint includes glitter.

He's squeezing and squishing as the paint plop, plop...plops on the paper.

"Mumma!  It's pooping!"  He says with glee.

I can't help it - I laugh.

Boys and Poop.  Poop and Boys.

They go hand in hand.

Or hand to butt.

He points the squeezable plastic paint brush in my direction and says in all seriousness, "You have to wipe it's butt now."

FOOD FRIDAY - Eazy Peazy Pizza "That's Amore!"

The other night was so terribly sweltering I had absolutely no energy to even think about what in the whole hot stinkin' wide world to cook.

I rummaged through my fridge enjoying the cool, cool air then moved to the freezer and just stood there.

Ahhhh.

Yes, I have central air but the humidity seemed to be permeating through brick.

I pulled out some naan bread and moved to the fridge to have a look see for what I had in mind.

All was there.

And so I did (rather my husband did - the bbq part) our first bbq pizzas.

It's easy, everyone has pizza ingredients and naan bread makes a nice light crust.

If your kids are old enough they can have some input and they always love being your little sous chef.  (although having my boys assist me in any kind of kitchen experience tends to give me heart palpitations)

The best part about using naan bread as the base is that you can make several different kinds of pizzas.

Don't be afraid to experiment.  I had NO pizza sauce or enough tomatoes and onions to make any sauce but I happened to have left over Campbell's Gardennay Roasted Red Pepper Tomato soup (delicious and healthy soups - a must have in my house) and tomato paste.  I mixed them together and voila!  Perfect consistency....and it tasted fantastic.

My pizza was not as pretty as this but probably just as tasty!

Here's what I made:

BBQ Naan Pizza #1


My innovative tomato sauce as seen above
Marble cheese
Chopped yellow peppers
Fresh Tomatoes
Chopped Sundried Tomatoes
Chopped Ham

BBQ Naan Pizza #2


My Tomato sauce
Marble cheese
Chopped yellow peppers
Chopped roasted red peppers (the jarred kind)
Kalamata Olives

BBQ Naan Pizza #3


Basil Pesto (jarred)
Goat Cheese
Chopped roasted red peppers
Chopped sundried tomatoes
Kalamata Olives

Heat up the barbie to about 350 F and place the pizzas directly on the grill on indirect heat for approximately 25 minutes or until crispy.

*CUE MUSIC*

Oh, If My World Was A Smoked Oyster

Today the boys and I were relaxing in our cool basement due to the insane heat wave that has hit the world.

Well, in reality I was attempting to relax while Adrian jumped continuously from couch to floor and back again and Finley wandered aimlessly around with a Toy Story hamper over his head. (the collapsable, netted kind - in other words, he could breathe.  In case you were concerned.)

I was starting to feel a bit peckish and stated to my boys this fact hoping to encourage them to eat something of a nutritious value.  Due to the extreme heat it seems they've lost all appetite except for popsicles or freezies.

Can't say I blame them.

Up the stairs we went with me thinking about the delicious snack I had in mind.

Smoked oysters and cheddar cheese on wheat thins.

Okay, so not the most orthodox of snack choices.  I blame my weird food choices on my childhood.

I grew up eating things of the strange and unusual.  Thinking back I wonder how my parents ever thought we'd eat such unconventional grub ... but we did.

Things like sardines on buttered saltines.

Liverwurst on toast.

Smoked oysters and mussels.

Blue cheese and pears.

I tried liver once too.

And I liked it.

Beef tongue, however, is where I must draw the line.

I also loved and still enjoy the chocolate bars that most people would never, ever consider.

Eat More's, Bridge Mixture and Big Turk's.

Mmmmmm.

Or maybe you are abnormal like me.

And in that case I don't feel so odd.  And neither do you now.

My husband doesn't help matters when he practically gags as I eat them.  I once thought it would be a great idea to serve up some of my favourite ocean nibblies for company and the look John gave me was of pure mortification as he said, "I don't think too many people enjoy eating things of that nature as much as you do."

Anyway, it seems as though my little one may have inherited my taste for the unconventional.

As I sat at the kitchen table with my smorgasbord of smoked oysters, crackers and cheese he climbed up onto the chair opposite to me and pointed enthusiastically at my oysters.

Me, dubious "You want one of these?  An oyster?"

Finley eyes lit up with a smile "Mmmm."  (that means yes)

I plucked one up with my fork and handed it to him.

He pulled it off the utensil and popped it in his mouth like it was a delicious morsel of candy.

Munch, munch, chew, chew.

I waited.

And waited.

And waited for the chewed up piece of brown to spew back out of his mouth.

He actually swallowed and motioned for more.

In the meantime Adrian moseyed on over, curious about the noshing happening between us.

Me, "You want one Aidy?"  I asked holding up an oyster, recalling the first and only time I unsuccessfully offered him an smoked oyster

Adrian glances at it with decidedly unconvinced look upon his face and said bluntly, "No, I hate oysters."

Now I don't condone the use of the word hate so much but looking at the dangling piece of ocean specimen with all it's strange folds and ... things, I couldn't totally blame him.

It's not the most aesthetic looking of fare.

But Finley had another oyster....and then another.

I was starting to feel a tiny bit bothered.

It's a known fact around here that I don't particularly enjoy sharing my food.  I love cooking for others but when people take my food off my plate it just doesn't sit well with me.

Yes, this includes even my children.

(An issue that may need to be addressed via another post - or a future therapy session.)

By the third oyster he leaned over the table, opened his mouth as wide as it could possibly go and out the ashen masticated lump was unceremoniously dumped.

He looked at me with disgust.

Apparently it takes him 3 bites of food before he can decide if he likes of the taste of something.

And clearly he realized he did not like the taste of my precious smoked oysters.

Well, at least he tried.

And now I don't have to share my delectable sea snacks with anyone else.

Cottages, Kids and Chaos

My family did the typical Ontario summer week "vacation" in cottage country this week.

Definition of vacation according to dictionary.com states that a vacation is freedom or release from duty, business or activity.

Huh.

Freedom or release from duty as a parent does not exist.

You didn't know?

No.  It does not.  Especially when you are surrounded by sewage issues, diggers and bulldozers....mix in a dozen children and freedom from anything but ensuring your child is not getting inadvertently bulldozed, splashing around in cesspools or getting run over by a train.

Oh yes.  There was a train nearby.

Nearby, although it sounded like it was running directly through the resort.  Complete with about 5 TOOOOOOT......TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT.................TOOOOOOOOOT.......TOOT's.


And just when you thought it was over.

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!

This happened in the middle of the night.

Many times.

We showed up to the cottage rentals while construction, dirt, digging and dust was in full force.  Apparently there was some sewage/plumbing/toilet issues in the cottage next to us (that our friends stayed in) along with the addition of 5 more cottages being built that we were not made aware of prior to arrival.

Breath in.  Ahhh...the smell of excrement mingled with dust.  Mmmm.  Try not to vomit and sneeze at the same time.  That never turns out well.

"Where'd my kids go?"

"Oh just playing in the sewage"

Good times.

(this never actually happened)

Maybe you thought I was exaggerating.
I was not.

It took several days to dig, repair, bulldoze and then sod, requiring all families to be forced to hang out on the beach all day long.

It was rough.

Looks like a pretty terrible time doesn't it?

Dwelling on the negative is certainly not my style so despite this post starting off all Debbie Downer like it was actually a really, really fabulous week.

Although inconvenient and certainly not entirely safe requiring some extra vigilance on our parts (imagine...being a vigilant parent), the week spent with 7 different families with children ranging from 5 months to 9 years was pretty awesome although not entirely free from duty or activity as the definition of vacationing is so described above.

I feel as though I need a vacation because of my vacation, although a long hot shower followed by a good night's sleep in my own bed with air conditioning will have to do.

I also learned a few things this week and I would like to share them with you.

1.  My tolerance for bugs but especially mosquitoes on a scale from 1-10 doesn't even register on the scale.  I hate mosquitos.  With a passion.  I don't care if I inhale and apply chemicals on my skin and clothing that could melt my glasses and quite possibly give me cancer.  As long as I don't have tiny vampiric  bugs buzzing in my ears and feeding on me leaving enormous itchy welts on my skin, I will do whatever it takes.

2.  Reading to kids is pretty darn fun.  And it keeps them from running around like maniacs in a 500 square foot cottage while it rains outside.

Clearly in my element.
Check out the stunning background scenery.
It's breathtaking ain't it?

3.  14 adults and 16 children can all get along exceptionally well for an entire week.  Our group of  friends are so easy going and such great parents that there were unbelievably no major skirmishes between kids (or adults).

4.  An afternoon siesta on on the beach with your baby is one of the best things in life.

5.  Dinner time with all families  compounded with a day full of fresh air and activity results in a meal time gong show with every parent exasperatingly demanding that their children sit down and eat. something. anything.

6.  One doesn't actually require a shower every day.  Twice a week is sufficient enough so long as you have a dip in the lake everyday.  Oh and your kids?  Well, they don't really need to bath at all.  A wipe down with a warm soapy wash cloth and a couple baby wipes before bed works wonders.

7.  The game of Jenga should probably be a competitive sport...it was a heart pounding, breath holding, edge of the seat, loud cheering kind of night simply taking blocks from the bottom and putting them on top then taking blocks from the middle and putting them on top...  "That's how you build the tower you just don't stop...."

I still know all the words from the commercial jingle.
So much useless information in this brain of mine.

8.  You really can get over vacationing at resort cottages with a cesspool nearby, an obnoxiously loud train with a horn happy conductor and heavy machinery when your children are swimming, playing, boating and fishing in beautifully clean water getting along famously and fed snacks at 15 minute intervals as well as drinking insane amounts of juice boxes.

Because ultimately if the kids were happy, so were we.

The afternoon adult happy hour certainly helped too.

FOODIE FRIDAY - Sweet Treats

I love chocolate.

I heart peanut butter too.

Put the two together and I am in heeaaveeen.  

You know those family Christmas get togethers as a child when there were always too many sweets and you ate and ate but especially gorged on those crispy chocolately peanut buttery yummy square things?

No? 

Okay well, they existed in my childhood and I never knew who made those delectable squares of scrumptiousness so the past couple of years I have looked, searched, found and then perfected them.  I don't make them often because...well, if they're in my house I will completely devour them with a vengeance.  They are the one dessert that I quite literally never get sick of.  

I become of the mentality that if I've had 5 and half an hour goes by I'll peek into my fridge and see them sitting there all 'eat me' like and I think, why not have 5 more?

So now I make them, have a few, save some for my hubby (they're his favourite) and give most of them away to my neighbours.  

It's always a great idea to be in your neighbours good books. 

Especially when you have ones that bake amazing cakes, cook delicious Indian food and others that are always willing to look after your children when you're in desperate need...for whatever reason.

Yes, my neighbourhood pretty much rules.

So with that in mind, I do suggest making and sharing with your friends, neighbours and/or family.  That way everyone wins and you don't have to beat yourself up for lack of willpower and without feeling sick and still able to fit into your favourite jeans.

Sweet Treats

1 tbsp butter

1/2 cup honey

3 cups of Rice Krispies

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 peanut butter

2 cups of marshmallows

Topping

2 tbsp peanut butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1.  Mix all ingredients except the cereal in a large pot over med/low heat until smooth.

2.  Remove from heat and add cereal

3.  Press into lightly oiled 9x13 baking pan

4.  Melt the topping ingredients over low heat until blended and smooth.  Pour and spread evenly over the cereal mixture.

5.  Place in fridge until chocolate/p.b. topping is hardened.

6.  Cut into squares and share the goodness!

*CUE MUSIC*  

And I'm Still Not Sure Who Bit Who What or Where

I was making dinner with the usual raucous surrounding me:

Boys running through the house like maniacs, laughing, crying, yelling, squealing, jumping, spinning, climbing all over the furniture, turning lights on.

Me yelling at them to turn the lights off, stop pushing, quit squealing, get down from there.

Right now!

I mean it!

I hear Finley crying from the front hall and turned to find Adrian, who had just ran from the hall to the living room.  I pick my sad little guy up and walk over to my mischievous looking one.

"Adrian do you know why Finley's crying?"

Adrian evading the question, turns his back to me climbing up onto a dining room chair, "Finley's soft and squishy - we need to throw him out."

"Nobody throws anyone out in this family.  That is NOT nice."

Not to mention illegal.

"He bit my finger.  He's crazy."

"Did you bite him back?" eyebrows scrunched together sternly quickly inspecting Fin's index finger as I see him holding it.

No teeth marks.

"NO.  I didn't.  We should throw him away.  We can buy a new baby.  A princess one.  Like Princess Fiona!"

Brotherly love.

So charming isn't it?

A Visual Snapshot of My Boys

I'm stealing a fantastic idea from Peryl over at Parenting Ad Absurdum and taking a Verbal Snapshot of my boys....here is who they are right now:


Adrian - 3 years 5 months

1.  I pee anywhere and everywhere with abandon

2.  Being naked is what I do best

3.  I randomly ask my Mumma and Dada for a "hug and a kiss?" with arms wide open (this is usually after being scolded for not eating breakfast/lunch or dinner)

4.  I love watching 'Scooby Dooby Doo'

5.  I am obsessed with Iron Man, Spider Man and Batman and have worn holes in my Iron Man and Batman costumes from so much play

6.  My new favourite treats are gummy bears in my ice cream and chocolate and raspberry timbits

7.  I like to dance to music by hopping around the room on one foot

8.  My favourite thing to say right now much to the chagrin of my Mummy is "I'm gonna kick your butt!"

9.  I want to be a doctor when I get bigger

10. I love to sit on Mumma's lap every morning while she's trying to drink her much needed morning coffee

11.  I can't wait to be able to chew gum and ask my Mommy about a thousand times a day when I can start

12.  Mismatched superhero socks and my Diego boots is my signature style.

13.  My bedtime requests are 1.  Mommy 2. Cozy 3. Water 4. Lamby and Froggy Doggy 5. Stories 
                                              6.  "Mumma tickle my back?"

Finley - age 20 months

1.  I eat cheerios and milk every.single.morning.  LOTS.  And drinking the milk with my spoon is the best part.

2.  I am obsessed with buckles and clips on car seats, high chairs, back packs etc

3.  I get very excited when I hear the train behind our house and insist on being brought to see it going by, by running up to Mommy and throwing my arms up as if to say 'up' and pointing enthusiastically at it while exclaiming "Taaaaiiiiin!"

4.  I also get very excited when I hear planes except I point up in the air searching for it then yell "Taaaaiiiin!" when I see it even though Mommy always corrects me with "No it's a....plaaaane!"

5.  I babble a lot.  No one understands me.  But I can clearly say NO, Mumma, Dadda, cheese, brother, Aidy and Riley and am pretty awesome at doing animal sounds.

6.  I love music and dancing, especially hip hop/pop/dance music.  My dancing is a combination of a jump and a skip with a spin around, fisted hands and arms waving in the air...then throw in a random sumo wrestler stance/walk.  Mommy thinks I'm the best little dancer ever.

7.  I am very affectionate and love to give Mumma and Dadda lots of hugs and kisses.  I also love to climb and attack them in bed.

8.  I love playing with my cars and dinosaurs and am especially talented at making the noise effects that go along with it

9.  I laugh when people get hurt.  I can't help it.  I think it's really funny seeing people yell when they stub their toe.

10.  I'm a pretty easy going guy but I HATE getting my face and hands wiped down after eating.  Believe me.  It's not pretty.

11.  Give me chocolate and Mommy's lap after nap time and no one gets hurt.

12.  I love wearing my bright blue rubber boots

13.  At bedtime I usually choose to read Good Night Moon, Pajama Time and Belly Button Book. Mommy thinks it's the cutest thing ever when I hand her the book, turn around and back up into her lap for a cuddle and a story.