The Reason I Can't Cut Her Hair

Gisèle, September 2008

Gisèle, September 2010

Cauliflower Parmesan

 It may not look like much, but this is yummy!  A great alternative to the typical cauliflower-and-cheese dish.

Cauliflower Parmesan

1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup skim milk (I was a little short and made up the rest with light sour cream.  YUM!)
1/3 cup water
1/2 tsp chicken-flavor bouillon
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup bread crumbs (I used panko)
1/4 tsp paprika

-In a medium saucepan, combine the cauliflower florets with 1/4 cup water.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, 5-6 minuted, until the cauliflower is crisp-tender.  Drain, pat dry with paper towels, and then pour into an ungreased 1-qt casserole dish.
-Preheat the broiler.
-In the same saucepan (yay for minimal cleanup!), heat the oil over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour, and cook and stir 1 minute.  Add the water and bouillon and mix well.  Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and thickens.  Stir in the cheese and cook until melted.
-Pour the sauce over the cauliflower, and sprinkle with the bread crumbs and paprika.
-Broil for 2 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

One of His Favorite Foods

Avocado!

G, at Just-Turned-3

My Big 3-year old can count all the way to "firty" now!

Gisèle, after telling us a story:  "Daddy, you like that story?  You like that story, Mama?  My frog likes that story, too.  I like cookies."

I'm not surprised by how good Gisèle's voice is (Jamie has a great one), but I am surprised by how often she breaks out in song out of nowhere, and how accurate she is with the lyrics.  One current favorite is the chorus of Big Rock Candy Mountain, and she gets everything - words and melody - right.

Oh, the buzzin' of the bees in the peppermint trees
'Round the soda water fountains
Where the lemonade springs and the bluebird sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

Gisèle, from the inner part of the bathroom, sitting on the potty:  "Mama, I don't want you in here!"

Me: "I'll stay out here, then, until you need me."

G, whining:  "No, I don't want you out there!  I don't wanna see your head!"

Booty

Gisèle, pointing to her bum:  "This is my booty. I like my booty."

Gisèle, yanking at her undies:  "My underwear's sticking to my booty."

Gisèle, pointing to my butt:  "Dat's your booty, Mama. 
Me:  "I call it my bum."
Gisèle:  "No it's your booty!!  And here's my booty!!"  (slapping hers.)

Turnip Gratin

This is yummy.  And rich.  Make it - you won't be sorry!

Turnip Gratin

4 turnips, peeled and thinly sliced (use a mandoline if you have it)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups Gruyere cheese, grated
4-6 Tbsp butter
chicken broth
heavy cream
salt & pepper
fresh herbs

-Preheat the oven to 375.
-In a large oven-proof skillet (cast iron works great), melt 2-3 Tbsp butter over medium-low. 
-Place a layer of turnip slices over the butter.  Sprinkle on a little garlic, then add a little more (1-2 Tbsp) butter.  Drizzle on a healthy splash of chicken broth and cream.  Add about 1/2 cup Gruyere and a little salt.
-Repeat the layers twice more, then sprinkle on a bunch of freshly ground pepper.
-Put the skillet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until it's bubbly and browned.

My Boy

This boy loves me.  No, really - he LOVES me.  When I see him after work, he grins hard enough to crack his face in two, showing the cute gap in his teeth.  He leans toward me, diving out of Jamie's arms, and squeals like Christmas morning has come.  He lets me kiss and cuddle him all I want.  When he's playing on the floor, I'll lay down next to him.  He'll play by himself for the most part, but every minute or so, he'll crawl over to me and kiss my cheek, lean his head against me, or just put his hand on my arm and smile.  Once he's satisfied that I'm still there, he'll continue playing.  He LOVES me.  And I adore him!

I'm still 2nd place, though - Gisèle is his favorite.  :)

Demon Possession

95% of the time, Gisèle is a sweetheart.  4% of the time, she exhibits typical defiant-3-year-old tendencies.  The other 1%, she's demon possessed.

This morning was a demon possession morning.

It was the first morning since Nana and Papa left, and she wouldn't get out of bed.  Then she wouldn't choose her outfit.  Then she wouldn't sit up, brush her teeth, go potty, wash her hands, or do any other part of her normal morning routine.  She just cried and yelled and writhed on the floor and said "NO!!!" until we finally had to buckle her, literally kicking and screaming, into her car seat.

(sigh)

These kinds of mornings leave me so emotionally drained that the rest of the day seems to be affected.  I'm tired, cranky, and without any semblance of patience.  I'm left second-guessing myself.  Could I have handled it better?  Is there anything I could have said or done that would have made a difference?  Or would she have been like that no matter how I reacted?

Mornings like this morning are the absolute low points of parenting.  I can't wait until I see her after work today, when I'll be reminded of the high points:  She'll act like nothing ever happened (because it will have been 12 hours ago - that's a lifetime!) and she'll give me a big hug and kiss and tell me about everything she did at school.  She'll ask nicely if she can watch Dora and tell me that she missed me while she snuggles into the couch and absentmindedly sticks her thumb in her mouth.  And I'll kiss the top of her head and thank God that I have all of these moments with her, good or bad.

An oldie but a goodie:

 

G in Her Sunglasses (phone pics)