while I was sleeping...

I was flattened over the weekend by a sinus and ear infection, so Jim aptly took on the role of primary caregiver for the little men of the household.  He does it well.  But creative cookery is always a byproduct of his watch, and this morning when Aidan asked for pancakes I found out exactly what happened on Sunday through his very specific demands.Apparently we're out of syrup.  So the batter was dressed up with fruit loops.  Then topped (and I couldn't bear to take a picture of this) with the juices from a bottle of maraschino cherries. 

I shouldn't really be surprised.  Jim gets itchy fingers making pancakes.  They stray through every cupboard in search of a magical ingredient or substitution.  Much to my plain pancake prefering annoyance.

[I do steer clear of his mystery pancake batters, but also empathize with his urges.  My fingers get itchy making chocolate chip cookies (much to his annoyance).  Even when I set out to follow a recipe precisely, I seldom make it through without detours.  Plain chocolate chip cookies are okay, but a little bit of coconut..peanut butter..oatmeal...there's always something that makes them better!]

Needless to say, fruit loops and bottled cherry juice were not going on my pancakes.  So I sprinkled powdered sugar and squeezed an orange over the top.  And I have to say it was the best pancake I've had.  Syrup has nothing on this combo.

Then again, I can't get enough of oranges lately...perhaps a reflection of my secret hope to ward off colds forever.  The past week (plus!) has been rough.  And by the weekend my house was living proof. 

On Sunday I saw my mom and mentioned the sorry state of certain bathrooms that haven't seen a toilet scrubber in weeks (Yes, you read that correctly. I know.).  She was alarmed.  And came over yesterday to amend the situation.

Aidan loved being Grandma's shadow through a morning of cleaning and was a very attentive pupil. As chief bathroom-dirtying culprit, he should be.  Those with little men will concur that they have no patience for careful toilet visits...it's all about speeding in and out.  Which causes problems.  And odors.  And frustration. 

Cyn bought them a "special" (it's all about advertising) package of cleaning wipes for each bathroom and carefully showed them where to wipe after each visit.  They were thrilled.  I'm sure the enthusiasm won't last forever, but it did amuse me. 

Today I woke up feeling completely human.  I'm breathing through my nose, which deserves a loud "hallelujah" after a week of mouth breathing (don't even get me started on that subject).  

My house is clean.  My kids are home.  We've got fruit loops and oranges to spare.

Life is good.

Comments

[Kay]

So glad you are better. Moms are wonderful! Cyndee's one of the best!! (Boys and clean bathrooms aren't a great combination. It took me years to convince all my men that their manhood would still be intact if they would just "squat to pee". Much clearner now that they do.)

[Marie]

My next pancake is definatly going to be sugared and oranged. That looks beautiful and so yummy!

Glad you are feeling better. How many weeks are you again?

[Melissa M.]

So happy to read a post from you!
Paula told me once that she uses chocolate syrup instead of pancake syrup because it has less sugar, but Froot Loops work too I guess...

[Megan]

Glad you're back and feeling better. Jim is crazy. Remember when he was watching my boys with yours while we went shopping, and there ended up being four sippy cups filled with code red and milk? I remember being completely shocked.

[Brynn]

I'm glad you are feeling better! My favorite topping for pancakes is powdered sugar and lemon juice. mmmmmm my mouth is watering. I'll have to try squeezed orange sometime. I also like peanut butter & bananas on pancakes when I'm not in the citrusy mood.

[Jaime]

Hope you get to feeling better soon! Sounds like you have some good help around there! :)

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

I've missed you! I'm so glad you're feeling better. Oranges on pancakes...now that sounds like a wonderful combination. I'll try it.

[Mandi]

And you blogged! Hooray! Those pancakes look great -- not the fruit loop ones. I'l have to try that next time I make pancakes. That's such a great idea Cyn had to put wipes in each bathroom and show them where to clean up afterwards - that should help you a little. It's times like this when I'm grateful to have girls because the whole bathroom thing is just so much easier and cleaner.

[michelle]

Yikes on the fruit loop pancakes! Yours looks really good, however. I can't turn down orange anything.

Hooray for your mom! And for being able to breathe through your nose again.

[Amy]

Amy! So glad you found me again!!! I was excited to see I had a "comment" on the blog! hee hee....Sorry you have not been well, and your pancakes look yummy!!!!!! :)
To answer your question: my toenails were matching G's fingernails today.....but I didn't want to mess up my french manicure on my fingers :)
Hope you are feeling much, much better!
Amy

[April]

I was relieved to see another post. I'll admit I was starting to worry about you. This post reminded me that I've been meaning to bring you a box of oranges. Dang.

Happy spring!

[Tiffany]

So GREAT to hear from you. Love your orange pancakes--never thought of doing that! Brilliant.

Go grandma! What a wonder to come help and teach. Maybe those magic wipes will do the trick?

[Jill]

I'm sorry you were down and out, I've been wondering why you haven't been posting lately. I am never adventurous with pancakes, but then I rarely make them. I sometimes put syrup in the batter, but I can't even tell the difference, perhaps I'll have to try the fruit loop innovation.

[jenny c.]

Glad you are feeling better. Your MIL sounds amazing. I love the shot of your little scrubbing. Too cute. We need some pointers around here too!

[Angie Ras]

Kay's comment totally had me in hysterics. I agree wholeheartedly and have convinced Justin of that very thing!

Glad you're feeling better.

[Kim]

I'm glad you are feeling better. It's been going around for sure! Being pregnant on top of it definitely makes it worse. And look at your boy cleaning toilets! Can he come teach my 8 year old?

[Brady]

can your boys clean my toliets?? i have three that are desperately in need of some tlc.

[sista #2]

I am thrilled for your news! Your posts are so cute...just catching up:) Why is his hand ALL
the way in the toilet? heehee My kids can barely tolerate a scrubber brush on a wand! Yeaaa
for cleaning! p.s. my grandma would make us kids pancakes with 7up. She said it made them
fluffy & we thought it was SO cool!!!

[Kelly]

Hmm, I thought I had commented here.

Kay's comment made me laugh out loud! That is quite an accomplishment -- I love it!

I'm glad you are feeling better, and I loved the documented fruit loop pancake. I'm not a real fan of pancakes, mostly because I despise syrup, so I'll have to try your orange and sugar method. When we have German pancakes I do that with lemon and powdered sugar.

[Janel Lamb]

Have I mentioned that I adore your blog?? I love how you write and your photography makes even fruit loop pancakes look yummy! Glad you are feeling bettter!

[Shanon]

Wow. Fruit loops and pancakes. That is interesting. I LOVE white choc chip pancakes. Try that one! Can Aidan come clean my toilets?

[Aprilyn]

Fruit Loop pancakes wouldn't go well with me. I'm a regular pancakes kind of gal myself.

Hey, your mom emailed me about some clothes and I emailed her back but I didn't hear anything since then.