Just Like Daddy

Eli LOVES his daddy. I think because Marc periodically disappears for 24 hour call or weekend moonlighting shifts that Eli really notices when he is not around. Sometimes he asks for him and then starts crying when I tell him he is at work. It is so sad, however, it does make their reunions that much sweeter to watch! This Saturday Marc had to go in early to do pediatric rounds so he wasn't home when Eli woke up. Eli and I waited for him at the window (once Marc called and told me he was coming around the corner!) and Eli was so thrilled to have him back in sight. When Marc decided to go cut grass shortly after he got home Eli couldn't stand it. He had only seen him for 15 minutes and he was already gone again. So, I took him outside to play while Marc mowed. Eli loves doing everything that Marc does so he started up his play lawnmower and took off to help his daddy out.

After Eli's nap on Saturday we took him to the zoo. Zoo membership is great because you can go at any point even if it just for a few hours and not feel like you are wasting an admission fee. We mostly just hung out by the petting zoo. The sheep last time we went were "baa"ing like crazy and Eli has been making the same noise when he sees sheep in his animal books ever since. It is hilarious because he sounds just like they did that day. He was really excited to get to feed them again.

Since we had eaten out on Friday night with some friends we decided to eat in on Saturday after we got home from the zoo. I made my version of rice and beans (it is a recipe I learned from my nutrition teacher in college). This meal is by far the easiest thing I make and it is one of Marc's top three favorite things to eat. Eli thought it was too spicy. He wanted to eat the sausage so bad but would cry every time after he put a piece in. So, this probably isn't too kid friendly but here it is.

Rice and Beans

1 can of Bush's black beans (store brand just doesn't work as well, I have tried)

1 can of mild Rotel

Johnsonville New Orleans Spicy Andouille sausage (comes in a package of 6 but only heat as many as you need)

1 cup of rice

Jiffy corn bread mix and ingredients

Heat your black beans and Rotel together in a saucepan. Cook your rice according to directions. Make your cornbread however you like (I usually make muffins). Heat the sausage in a skillet in a shallow amount of water for 10-15 min. When your rice is cooked, spoon over some of the bean mixture and then add in some cut up sausage (usually 1 per person). Mix it together and then enjoy with some buttered cornbread. Easy and good!