The Terrible 3's have hit ... and we are still 2

Look at this face:

It is the face of defiance.

Seriously.

The last month in our house has been absolutely horrible.  I was getting too comfortable with the 2's.  He really wasn't bad about getting into stuff, listened when you told him to do something and I got him potty trained over our Christmas break with no problems.  Then February hits:

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"You not my boss."

"I don't like that."

"Don't talk to me."

The thing is, he is perfect at daycare.  Listens to his teacher (I make GOOD choices mommy) and does what he is supposed to do.  There was an incident this week where another little girl scratched and hit him and he did nothing.  If Madeleine did that to him, she would have been tackled to the ground before she knew what hit her.

Ay.  I know we have to be consistent with him and just ride this out.  He's been sent to bed early every night for at least the last week and he just couldn't care less.  He just gives me a hug and kiss every night and tells me, "I make good choices tomorrow mommy.  I sorry."  Melt my heart.

He knows just what buttons to push.  I'm in trouble.

100 Day Wellness Challenge: Halfway Point

Fifty days down, fifty to go.  Well, it is actually 56 days down but we went up to the Dells for four days so I lost count.

Total % of weight lost: 3.26%
Total hours of exercise: 35 hours, 30 minutes

Not really thrilled about the low weight loss (but a pound gone is a pound gone) but I am quite happy I've managed to keep up with the exercise.  Our team is #9 out of 309 teams for weight loss, so overall we are doing well.  My goal is to do as well - if not better - than the first 50 days.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can ...

Dinner Disaster

Every so often I have a night where everything just bombs.  Tonight was one of those nights.  On the menu was Grilled Flank Steak with Garlic-Shallot-Rosemary Marinade from Cook's Illustrated magazine paired with Easy Parmesan "Risotto" from the Barefoot Contessa.  Sounded good.

I scored and marinated the flank steak first thing this morning so it would have time to absorb the flavor.  Recipe called for 6 cloves of garlic - couldn't taste a thing.

The risotto was a good idea, in theory.  Typically risotto involves standing at the stove and stirring and stirring and stirring.  This one was easy - stick the rice in heated homemade chicken stock and bake for 45 minutes.  Add Parmesan cheese, a little more stock, butter and a cup of peas.  Good thing I decided to check on it at 30 minutes.  The rice was done, all the stock absorbed but it was gloppy.  Perhaps the word 'easy' in the title should have been a clue.

Even David's attempt at cooking today bombed.  He and Madeleine made brownies and doctored them up with a caramel filling, topped with pecans.  Too bad that when he cut into them after supper he found that they weren't cooked in the middle.

Now I need a meal plan for the rest of the week!