Archive for June, 2011

Nariah says… #43

Posted: June 29, 2011 in Comedy, Nariah

Our family is spread out some. I’m from NC, the wife is from FL, so far all kids are from MD. I know I’ve been somewhat de-countrified since living up here the past 12 or so years but I know its still in me when I come home to NC and my accent seems to automatically switch back without effort. I never really thought about my accent until this recent conversation with Nariah.

Nariah, what would you like to drink?  Milk… OJ…..
Before I could finish she cuts me off with “Water please daddy
Water? You’d rather have that over milk or OJ?
What did you say?
What? Water?
Why do you say it like that?
Like what? what do you mean?
Its not ‘War-tur’ daddy, its ‘Water
LOL, well baby, some people say things differently, like people from NY may say ‘Sualt’ instead of ‘Salt’ or ‘Courfee’ instead of ‘Coffee’
Ummm,  I don’t know about that… but its still called ‘Water’

I can just see it now, maybe 5 or so years from now, come father’s day, I’ll be receiving this book wrapped up nicely…

My Father's Day give 2016, LOL

First Field Trip

Posted: June 25, 2011 in Comedy, Nariah

Nariah just had her first field trip at day care. She was tickled pink as we approached in the morning and saw the 3 school buses parked in front of day care. They were going to the train station to watch the trains move around the tracks. As I left her, I reminded her that she would probably miss naptime and that she would probably fall asleep on the bus coming back to the school. “No I won’t daddy!” she exclaimed.

***Fast forward to the end of the day***

Daddy Daddy!” I hear as I pick her up from the gym area. “Alice woke me up when I was trying to sleep on the bus daddy!
Oohhh, so you did go to sleep on the bus huh?
Yes….” she replies sheepishly.
Sooo, how was the trip? Did you have fun?The bus ride was awesome! That was my favorite part!
The bus ride? What about the train?
Boooooooooooring!
What do you mean boring?” “It was too slow daddy! When we got  on, it was really really slow. It moved like this : Chuga………… *pause*…….. chuga…… *pause*……. chuga
Now I don’t have video to show you what happened as she said this but imagine a 4 year old walking on the sidewalk like a zombie, taking a step every 3 seconds and going “chuga………… chuga…………..chuga……..”
It took me awhile to stop laughing after that one.

Early Fathers Day

Posted: June 17, 2011 in Fatherhood, Nariah

Picking Nariah up from school today came with an awesome surprise. I don’t know if it’s more special because she actually drew me a picture, that she said it was for father’s day, or that she’s so aware and observant of things that I do and like. I just have to share this picture of a grill she drew for father’s day.

From left to right, this grill is stocked with a hotdog, chicken, broccoli, and 2 steaks (blue meat of course). The purple lines are the grill grates to keep the food off the coals she explained. I will never have to worry about this grill falling over due to the engineering and placement of the 9 legs. These are the types of gifts that make parenthood really truly special.

Nariah says… #42

Posted: June 15, 2011 in Comedy, Nariah

Another day at daycare and as I pick Nariah up she asks what did I bring for snack. After joking with her several time with “dirt” and “bubbles” she gives up and says “Nevermind daddy, I’ll just find out when I get in the car“.
I let her get in the car on her own as I say goodbye to a couple of teachers. I go to check to see if she put on her seatbelt and of course, she found the stash of Sunchips in the front seat and is munching away happily.
Nariah, I thought you were gonna help me out by putting on your seatbelt. You didn’t put on your seatbelt?
No daddy… but I opened up the chips! See!
LOL

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Nariah says… #41

Posted: June 14, 2011 in Comedy, Nariah

Nariah and Toya were having breakast just as with any normal school day morning.
Out of the blue, Nariah walks over to “the belly” and says “You won’t be in your home much longer baby brother, you’ll be on planet Earth soon!

Nariah says… #40

Posted: June 13, 2011 in Comedy, Nariah

Nariah asked me to cut her an apple for part of her dinner.
Do you want to eat it whole or in slices?
I want it whole daddy, so can you just cut the skin off please?
As I peel the skin, Nariah starts talking in a mousy whiny voice “Somebody help me please… help me!  It hurts! Save me!!!
Then in a deep voice she proclaims, “No way, you’re going to be my supper!” and laughs heartily.

Nariah says… #39

Posted: June 12, 2011 in Comedy, Nariah

It was a long day and we had just returned home at night from our first trip ever to Wegmans grocery store. I let Nariah out of the car and proceed to start unloading the groceries. Nariah stops on the sidewalk and just stares off into space. On my second trip past her, I accidentally pooted and said “Oops! I’m sorry Nariah! Excuse me!

***Silence***

Thinking that she might pass out or something if she stands in my “cloud”, I warn her again. “Nariah… did you hear me?
What daddy?
I just pooted beside you, didn’t you hear me say excuse me?
Daddy, I’m wishing on a star right now, I’m not thinking about anything else. I can’t tell you what I wished for either, or it won’t come true

***Later on***

After finishing up our prayers and getting ready for bed, I begin to walk out of Nariah’s bedroom. I hear a bunch of giggling and snickering. So naturally I turn around and I see the girls trying to play off the laughter by looking serious. After questioning them, Toya finally admits that Nariah had whispered in her ear as I walked out : “The next time daddy poots, we should both run out of the room really fast!
Where did that come from?
You just pooted again daddy!
“I did? Oops, excuse me!

Am I getting that old that I don’t even know when I poot?

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Nariah says… #38

Posted: June 5, 2011 in Comedy, Family, Nariah

I don’t know if this is more cute or more funny, its definitely both!

Toya was taking a large bag of toilet tissues upstairs and Nariah was walking in front of her.
Mommy, you’re carrying a lot of stuff and your hands are full. I can help you. I know your belly is really heavy, so I’ll hold up your belly for you while you walk ok?
As she proceeded to walk backwards up the stairs for the last few steps she says, “I’m really good at walking backwards, so you don’t have to worry about me. I can hold your belly AND walk backwards at the same time

I hope she helps to change poopie diapers when the baby gets here!


Nothing unusual on our trip home from the day care this past Friday. I asked Nariah what did she want for dinner and after saying “You know what we haven’t had in a long time???? Breakfast food!“, I was sold on the idea. Then came the special request : “Can you grill breakfast food?
Can I grill breakfast food?
If you can grill breakfast food, then you can grill anything daddy!
I assure you baby, that I can grill breakfast food
You’re the best daddy ever!

Now I’ve never grilled breakfast food before, but I do remember maybe middle school or high school time frame staying at my paternal grandparents and the power went out (or “current went out” as they say in the county) and Papa grilled some eggs on aluminum foil. That’s the extent of my breakfast knowledge. Building on that, here’s how you can secure your super parent status with your child, or for yourself, the food was that good. Even Toya was skeptical when I told her what we were doing and made the “I don’t know about this one” face, but she loved it.

Menu:
Scrambled eggs with fresh spinach, green peppers and orange peppers
Turkey bacon (the pork was frozen, didn’t feel like thawing out)
Maple sausage links
French Toast
Grilled home fries (strips)

Preparation:
Start grill and arrange hot coals for mostly direct heating. (Leave about 1/4th coal free to allow the potatoes to finish cooking with ease) 

Home fries:
2 large red new potatoes, halved lengthwise and then cut into strips (steak fry sized)
Toss strips in a bowl with olive oil and set aside

Scrambled eggs:
5 eggs mixed in a bowl
handful of diced green peppers
handful of diced orange peppers
2 large handfuls or more of fresh spinach leaves
1 tablespoon of butter
Garlic powder
Jane’s Krazy Salt (or salt and pepper)
2 slices of american cheese (or your favorite cheese) 

French toast:
6 slices of potato bread
2 eggs scrambled
About a cup of milk? (I didn’t measure, sorry, maybe it was in between that and 1/2 cup?)
4 shakes of nutmeg
3-4 tablespoons sugar
1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon
1/2 shot of Disaronno Amaretto 
Mix ingredients except bread and set aside. 

Grilling:

Brush hot grates with olive oil soaked in a paper towel. Set a large cast iron skillet on grill to pre-heat. Lay potatoes across the coals and shake garlic powder and salt/pepper over them. They will burn fast so keep and eye out on them. When they brown to your liking, flip, season, and brown some more to your liking and then move to the “coal free” zone of the grill. Fold bacon into a ribbon (see pics) and place over coals along with the sausage. As soon as the meat is done (flipping and turning) remove to a plate and get ready for the eggs and french toast, these cook the quickest.

Add butter to the skillet and in about 10 seconds add the peppers. Wait about 30-45 seconds and then add the spinach. Dip potato bread into french toast mixture, coating both sides, and then lay over hot coals. When the spinach cooks down a little, add garlic and salt/pepper and then stir frequently as the spinach reduces. Check french toast and flip when needed. After one round of french toast are completed, start another batch and then add the eggs to the skillet. Let it sit and sizzle for a good 10-15 seconds before stirring. After about 30 seconds add your cheese and continue stirring until your desired doneness is reached and season to taste in this last leg of stirring. Remove eggs and remaining french toast to plate.

Check doneness of the potatoes and remove or continue to cook to your liking. The thinner ones will cook faster.

Serve and enjoy.
You can also grill pineapple rings sprinkled with brown sugar (we were out, so I couldn’t show you this go around)

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Nariah says… #37

Posted: June 3, 2011 in Comedy, Nariah

The countdown to the new baby G continues.

After saying prayers and goodnight kisses, Nariah asks mommy to help her get to sleep since she’s having a hard time.
Just for 5 mins mommy? Can you stay with me?
Now Nariah, you’ve been doing good lately sleeping by yourself. When your baby brother gets here, I’m not going to be able to help like you’d want. I’ll come check on you in a few OK?
sigh…. OK mommy. I’m thirsty mommy
Well you should go get yourself a drink of water then Nariah
Can you get it for me?” (enter puppy dog face)
Nariah, I’m not gonna be able to do that for you either, you’re a big girl now
But the baby is still INSIDE your belly right now… So can’t you get it for me this time? Please?” (enter head cocked sideways extra strong puppy dog face)

Off mommy goes to get the water. Art of Negotiation 101.