Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Got Crabs?

Lauren finally cooked the free Thanksgiving turkey we received from Giant Food Stores back in November. Our meals have consisted of some type of turkey dish for the past 5days. Last night, using the rest of the meat, Lauren made turkey and dumplings. It was delicious.

I was never a big fan of turkey/chicken and dumplings. The dumplings I had as a kid always seemed to have the consistency of snot. While growing up I knew that my mom would make it at least one time a year for my brother Dan’s birthday. Chicken and dumplings was his birthday meal of choice.

We all had a favorite birthday meal that my mom would make for us. Sharon always chose Lasagna. I don't remember what Dennis would prefer. Kevin went with cheese steak and cheesecake. Dan, chicken and dumplings. Lawnwhisperer liked veal Parmesan. Peanut Butter and Jelly was Pat’s favorite meal. Michael wanted tacos. And I think for my brother Jim’s birthday, since he was the favorite, my mom and dad probably took him out to Outback Steakhouse every year.

My birthday meal of choice was chicken potpie. Since my birthday was in June my mom would always suggest hotdogs and burgers on the grill. I think I was the only one she ever tried to talk out of my birthday meal (yes I have middle child syndrome). I always did get my own personal potpie but everyone else had burgers. I like the tradition of birthday dinners.

Lauren’s personal favorite meal is crab legs. Whenever they are on sale or in-season I always make sure to get some for her. We actually had some right before Valentine’s Day. Eating crabs is always work but it is always fun. Max helped me crack the shells. When I say “help” what I mean is he held the little tools. He really enjoyed the whole process. Why shouldn’t he? I did most of the work and he got to eat most of the crab. I could not crack the crab legs fast enough for him. He really liked crab and I barely got to eat any.

So last night as I was eating my dumplings, thinking of my brother Dan and birthday meals, I asked Maxfield what he wants for his birthday dinner on Saturday. I was sure he was going to say chicken nuggets and fries or pizza. He thought for a moment and turned to me and said, “Crab legs.”

Lauren smiled and did a celebratory fist pump in the air. “Yes!” She said knowing that we would have her favorite meal and I am sure part of her glee was from the pride she felt that Max inherited some of her tastes.

Max will be four. A four year old wants crab legs for his birthday dinner.

“You know Bill.” Lauren said, “You may want to eat something else before dinner on Saturday. Otherwise you will be hungry.”

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Fantastic!

I can't get the little clowns to touch crab legs with a ten foot pole -- which is good. More for me. :)

Patience said...

Happy Birthday Max!! (Well, the crabs might not think it too happy.)

Anonymous said...

Porkchops and Applesauce... Isn't that swell?

Anonymous said...

Max has good taste!

My own middle child (H-J, #3 of 4) had a "colorful" birthday dinner for his 12th...steamed broccoli, 2 kinds of grapes, cinnamon applesauce, BLUE milk, nachos with multi-colored chips, and triple chocolate cake with rainbow sprinkles.

I think I'd better get some boys to like crab legs!

MrsDoF said...

My favorite meal for my birthday is cabbage rolls, mashed potatoes with tomato gravy, then strawberry shortcake for dessert.

My mom made it for me every June, just as the cabbage and strawberries in the garden were ready to harvest.

I don't think I've ever had crab legs.
One more blah to add to the list of living in the land-locked Mid-West.

MrsDoF

ttulizzy said...

I don't like chicken/turkey and dumplings either because of its resemblance to snot.

I'm not alone! How funny!

Happy Birthday Max!

Meegs said...

"You know Bill.” Lauren said, “You may want to eat something else before dinner on Saturday. Otherwise you will be hungry.”

LOL, your wife is awesome.

My favorite birthday meal growing up was always either Macaroni and yeasty cheese (see my blog for recipe) or Pesto. Yummy. Plus my mom would normally make me apple crumble for desert.

Nowadays its one of the above or sushi. Mmmmmm.... although I do miss my mom's apple crumble.

HW said...

When my daughter was three, she started asking for spinach/artichoke dip or vegetable pizza.
I'm thrilled when I see kids enjoying things other than chicken fingers or PB&J.

Anonymous said...

My friend's kid is 8, and he loves crab as well. Just wait 'til you're in a restaurant and Max insists on the $27 crab leg entree.

Lisa Bakewell said...

Happy Birthday Max! You're in good company. My oldest (who's now 18)has always loved crab legs and it's always his birthday dinner too.

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Way to go Max...my favorite birthday meal too! I never liked cake as a kid, so I always got a "birthday pie" instead! :)

Happy Birthday!

Moi said...

My kids always, always pick sushi. Which is great, because I love it.

However, Mr. Man and I are almost forced into a payday loan, as our girls eat sushi as if they were linebackers looking at chicken fried steak.

Every time we go, the owners actually stop what they are doing and watch our girls chow down like it is their last meal for eternity.

Heather said...

How cute! And what good taste. I love crab legs.

Ern said...

You should post Max and Lauren's favorite crab legs recipe.

Anonymous said...

Apparently Max gets his good taste from Lauren, which is a good thing. (Although I'll admit to being a fan of the potpie as well.)

Karen said...

When my brother passed away 10 years ago I decided to still celebrate his birthday with his favorite meal - Grilled Cheese and Orange Soda. We enjoyed this remembrance so much it has continued to my Pop's birthday - banana pudding. I hope to add both my grandmothers to the list this year - Rosalie loved spaghetti salad and Clara loved Angel food cake.
What was your dad's favorite meal?

MP said...

I LOVE that Max loves crab legs, that is awesome!!

My birthday dinner is pan cooked chicken legs w/ a little paprika and mashed potatos (real stuff only) and fresh Italian bread w/ butter. Desert would be Oreo cookies dunked in white milk or coffee.

eclectic said...

Go Max! Make him crack his own this time -- it'll keep him busy for a LOOOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGGGG time, AND, maybe he'll save some for you. ;) Happy Birthday, Maxfield!

Gina Coggio said...

By chance, have you read "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir." PLEASE read it because your writing reminds me SO much of Bill Bryson's. He's one of my favorite writers EVER and I laugh so hard when I read his work, just like I do when I read yours. Please check it out, I think you'd just love it.
(And if you want another good one, read "A Walk in the Woods," also by Bill Bryson. One of the funniest--and most informative-- books I've ever read.)

OhTheJoys said...

I'm feeling itchy now for some reason...

Bogart said...

Nice...and happy b-day to max!

I wish I knew how to get my goddaughter to eat fish. I am sure that it has something to do with the fact that her parents typically won't touch the stuff.

Very few things warm my heart like seeing a kid chowing down on some animals of the sea!

Anonymous said...

Dumplings that remind you of 'snot'? It worked! I was trying to get away from the poop and boogies for a change. Thought I'd try a little snot instead. Dan was very happy with my choice. He loved chicken 'n'dumplings. momo9

The Woman Undone said...

Champagne taste on a Kool-Aid budget!!!

Ya gotta love that kid.

Amber said...

You know, it isn't the diapers, or booger picking, or even the waking up in the middle of the night (to chat and have coffee) that makes me too scared to have kids, it is the idea that they might steal my food. I don't think I could handle that.

Anonymous said...

a boy after my own heart! crab legs have been my favorite since I was a kid, and it drove my parents nuts when I would insist on getting them in a restaurant when I was, like, 6! they let me, though, 'cause they're swell.