Sunday, April 11, 2010

Gavin's Tail Twister #12: That's So Easy Mom...

One evening when William(husband) was working late, I was laying in bed trying to do some computer work and of course Gavin(6 1/2 years old) comes in and says Mom I can't sleep can I get in bed with you? I of course say Yes if you will lie quiet while I finish my work.
(Gavin) "OK Mommy."
I knew that would not last long. After 5 minutes of Gavin's eyes wandering around he finally asks: "Mom, What does TELEKINESIS mean?"
I put down my papers and say "Where did you learn a word like that Gavin?"
(Gavin) "I don't know but what does it mean?"
(Me) I means if you use your brain and think on something really hard, you can make that something move with your mind."
(Gavin) Like I could move that TV with my brain?
(Me)I am now figuring that Gavin is not gonna stop asking questions so I laid down a piece of paper on the mattress and dropped a paper clip on the paper and said to Gavin "Gavin, let's start small. Use your brain and try to move that paper clip without touching it." I thought to myself 'that ought to take some time and maybe he'll fall asleep.'
Gavin immediately responded as if I gave him a 2+2 question.
(Gavin) "AH MOM, THAT'S SO EASY!"
GAVIN PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE PALM OF HIS HAND TO THE TOP OF HIS HEAD AND RUBBED IT AS HARD AS HE COULD. HE RUBBED HIS HAIR SO HARD IT LOOKED AS IF THERE WAS A BIRDS NEST ON TOP OF HIS HEAD. HE THEN TOOK THE PALM OF HIS HAND AN WAVED IT OVER THE PAPERCLIP AND PAPER. BOTH THE CLIP AND THE PAPER MOVED DUE TO THE STATIC ELECTRICITY GAVIN CREATED IN HIS HAND.
(Gavin) TAADAAAAA!
(ME) CAN'T GET ANYTHING PAST YOU CAN WE GAVIN!
(Gavin) "Ask me another question Mom."
(ME) Good Night Gavin.
Smarty pants!

Gavin's Tail Twister #11: My Gut Is Telling Me...

One afternoon, I stopped at the local drug store. While I was there, I noticed they had tracing paper tablets in-stock. There were two left on the shelf. Back up a day or two...William (husband) had been looking all week for tracing paper for our oldest son Sammy (10) who loves to draw and trace and had been unsuccessful finding any. Apparently everyone in Macon was tracing. Out of stock everywhere. As a result, I bought the two right in front of me.
Knowing that Gavin would have a conniption if I gave them both to Sam, I decided to give one to Sam and one to Gavin. I figured Gavin would loose interest and the second tablet would end up in Sam's hot little hands. I got in the car. Sam and Gavin immediately asked... what did you buy us and my response was of course....TA DAAA (as I held the two tablets in the air)!
(Sammy) "Whoa Mom! Where did you find those?"
(Gavin) "For Me!!! Mom how cool are you?"
I could see in the rear view mirror Sammy's eyes shifting back and forth from Gavin to the tracing tablets. With his mouth hung wide open Sammy shifted from thankful sweet son to angry greedy Purana.
(Sammy) "He doesn't even draw!"
(Gavin) "Thank you Mommy, I always wanted tracing paper. How did you know."
(Sammy) "Gavin, Mom did not buy that for you and you know it."
Gavin was hugging his Tracing paper and smiling with his eyes closed and in sheer bliss rocked from side to side. It didn't even phase him that his brother was trying to guilt him into giving up his tablet.
(Gavin) "I love my tablet mom and I love you!"
(Sammy) "OK Gavin I'll give you all my candy if you let me have the tablet."
(Gavin) "Huummmm...NO...I don't think so." Still hugging the tablet.
(Sammy) "OK fine I'll let you play with my Nintendo DS anytime you want."
(Gavin) "and I get all your candy too?"
(Sammy) "Fine both candy and playing with my DS...now give me the tablet."
(Gavin) Gavin was Holding on to the tablet with the same hugging grip and his eyes up in his head weighing his options.
(Gavin) "MY GUT IS TELLING ME 'WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? LET SAM HAVE THE TABLET. BUT MY BRAIN IS THINKING SOMETHING ELSE! WHAT DO YOU THINK BRAIN SHOULD WE LET SAM HAVE THE TABLET?'" "SAM MY BRAIN SAYS NO! HOW ABOUT YOU LET ME PLAY WITH YOUR I-TOUCH ANYTIME I WANT TOO?"
(Sam) "Only if I am not playing with it. Take the candy and give me the tablet before you get all your germs on it."
Gavin gladly gave up the tablet he really didn't want and he got to watch his brother work himself into a tizzy over the whole ordeal.

Lesson Learned: Even a six year old knows right from wrong and when it comes to siblings, it is always nice to see your older brother beg every now and again.

Recipe #10: Mung Bean Salad

This is a fantastic salad, light, tangy, crunchy, but filling because of the high fiber and high protein content in the Mung Beans.

2 Cups Mung Bean (split and hulled) - Rinse, then soak in water 6-12 hours,
drained well.
4 Tbs Red Onion (chopped fine) - Add
2 Cups Cucumber (peeled, remove seeds,finley chopped) - Add
4 Tbs Fresh Cilantro (chopped fine) - Add
4 Tbs Lemon Juice (1 small fresh squeezed lemon) - Add
1 tsp Sea Salt - Add
1/2 Tsp Cracked Pepper (fresh cracked) - Add

Spice it up by adding 1/2 Jalapeno (chopped fine)

Combine all ingredients and store in refrigerator (up to 48 hours) until served.
Serving suggestions: Great as a salad on it's own. Great on top of fresh hot rice. Awesome as a side item with steak, chicken or seafood.