Fun in Seattle

Check out the 2 bad Staley dudes! We took Jack on a last minute getaway to Seattle last weekend. We had a lot of fun shopping and eating. One restaurant just dumped a bowl of seafood in the middle of the table and gave you a wooden block and mallot to go at it.

Tessa is popular!!!

I was reading Tessa's preschool report card to her and her teacher had commented on her sweet personality that everyone loves. Tessa got a big smile on her face and said, "YES!!! Does that mean I'm popular?"

Thanksgiving Turkey

Grace - "We're having turkey for dinner on Thanksgiving right? Well can I go with daddy when he goes out to catch it?"

Can someone please sing with Tessa???

Tessa was singing Hairspray songs in the car while I was driving today. She realized she didn't know all the words and asked me to sing with her. I was listening to something on the radio so I said, "I don't really feel like singing right now." Tessa replied, "Well mom I don't really feel like singing either but I'm still doing it!"

Gracie's Christmas Wish

"Mom ... there is ONLY one thing that I want for Christmas - a hamster. Every time I wish upon a star that is the only thing I ever wish for. Just a hamster."

Diet Pancakes???

Rachel says these are better than regular pancakes! The vita mix is perfect for this. Make it extra healthy by cooking them with a little cooking spray instead of butter and serving with just a touch of syrup. I used the nutmeg syurp from Trinidad. They are very filling - yet somehow Rachel still ate 4 of them.

1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
6 eggs
1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or 1/4 cup whole wheat and 1/4 cup barley flour)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Pinch of salt
Dash of vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk

Blend or food process first six ingredients on high until smooth. Add milk slowly to reach batter consistency. Cook on a hot, nonstick griddle. Number of pancakes vary by size. Serves 6.

Nutritional Information: (per serving)Calories: 225 Protein: 13 g Fiber: 1.5 g
Carbs: 9 g Fat Total: 15 g Saturated Fat: 3 g

who made grace our political advisor?

Grace came running in after the bus dropped her off yesterday afternoon and said, "Mom! We HAVE to vote for Obama!". I told her that she was too young to vote but I would take her opinion into consideration. She said, "Well, whatever you do, DON'T vote for McCain!".

Sibling Dynamics

Rachel made an observation this morning. She said, "Mom, have you noticed that we don't fight over who gets to hold Jack anymore? ... Actually, Grace doesn't even like Jack". I turned to Grace and asked her if that was true. She said, "Well ... I like him ... we just don't hang out any more". I think Grace is grossed out by the whole breastfeeding thing. She told me that she is so glad that she is not a baby because she doesn't want to drink from "those things". I told her that someday maybe she will have a baby of her own and get to feed him with "those things". She got a very disturbed look on her face.