Follow the Leader
We’re back…did you miss us?
There’s no doubt as to who is Queen Pea around here. I think that’s why we all get a little uncomfortable when there is a shift of the tides and someone else takes the lead. This morning, like nine out of ten mornings, we heard Gigi go into Lulu’s room and start chatting her up in her crib while Pea Daddy and I argued about who was going to start the coffee and who was going to get to sleep for five more minutes. We wasted our (morning) breath, though, because we both jolted out of bed like Marv Albert had just popped his head out from beneath the sheets when we heard something we’d never heard while we were still in bed: Lulu’s voice downstairs.
I missed about four stairs on the way down, skidded across the hardwoods and nearly crashed into Dance Party USA that was already underway.
As Pea Daddy and I shouted in unison, “How did you get out of your crib?!?” Lulu rationally explained, “Sissy helped me.”
Thanks a lot, Sissy. Why don’t you fill her in on Santa Claus and how babies are made while you are at it? Of course, now that she can get out of her crib, she may find the answer to that last one out on her own.
The day was filled with more sisterly shadowing. Lulu wanted to be like Gigi at church and following her up for the Children’s Message, to pretend to listen while twirling her hair, waving to Mom and Dad and raising her hand to answer a question that hadn’t yet been asked.
She continued to worship at the park,
“I could watch her all day. She’s like poetry in motion.”
“Wait for me! Have you seen these stubs I have for legs and arms?!”
“Hey, where’d she go?”
“If I trip, I’m going rolling like a 34 lb. bowling ball with pigtails.”
Then it was home for lunch. Food is definitely one area where I’m happy to have Gigi as a role model. She’s eager to try anything exotic-looking or decidedly adult, which is fantastic at mealtime, but yet one more reason why she will never be allowed to go on Spring Break. I’m waiting for the day when Lulu sees Gigi eating a huge spinach salad and is eager to copy her big sis.
Hey, it’s a start.
Frankly, I’m surprised Lulu even wanted near Gigi as Gigi decided to crack Lulu over the head with an empty Izze soda bottle in the car. I’m choosing to believe it was meant in good fun. However, The Three Stooges is off of our viewing agenda now…and forever.
Lulu’s tastebuds, though, lie a little more in the kid arena. She is only two, after all. While Gigi is an unintentional vegan and won’t go near cheese or milk, Lulu would gladly have a bowl of cottage cheese, with a glass of soymilk and a side of mac and cheese. Mmm…mucousy. Still, I aim to please all palates.
Lulu’s Mac and Cheese
- 1/2 lb. elbow macaroni (preferably whole wheat)
- 2 T. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 1/2 block silken tofu
- 2 T. non-dairy milk (unflavored/unsweetened)
- 1 t. salt
- Fresh black pepper
- 1/2 t. dry mustard
- 8 oz. vegan cheddar, shredded (we used Daiya brand, and it melts fantastically!)
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta and drain. Return to the pot and melt in the vegan margarine. Toss to coat.
Blend together the tofu, milk, salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir into the pasta and add the cheese.
Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.
It was cheesy love at first bite.
And for once, Gigi took at hand at being just like her sister.
So good it’ll make you close your eyes. That’s right girls, off to sleep. Now I’m just left wondering, do they make lids for cribs? Or maybe we just put a threatening soda bottle in front of our bedroom door.
I’m following Gigi’s lead on this one.
I *must* try that mac and cheese!
I know you’ve probably gotten this 10 million times but it needs to be said again: your girls are adorable.
ohhh mama pea… mac&cheese? my heart races.
OM NOM NOM NOM.
Mac n cheese, do want.
I really shouldn’t be looking at pictures of delicious looking food at 11:30 at night. this is prime time for an attack of the munchies. Worth it.
Ahhh, mac and cheese totally intimidates me when I think about making it from scratch. But this looks so good, I might just have to give it a whirl!
hahaha…your girls are a riot! in a good way of course…
and need to have that mac and cheese. if i drive up to your house can i have some? it’s a long drive…but i love you that much
Wow the mac and cheese looks so great. I’m such a little kid when it comes to mac and cheese. I also adore Gigi’s clips that say cutie on it! Too cute!
Recipe looks amazing, girls are darling, but Dance Party USA reference might have been the best thing I’ve heard this week. Still giggling over that. Gotta love young Kelly Ripa with ginormous hair.
I have all the ingredients, this sounds like a winner…maybe I can even try it on the boyf!
haha this post cracked me up! That mac n’ cheese looks so delicious.
Maybe put an alarm on the crib, yikes! haha. I use almond cheese in my mac and cheese but have to try DIAYA. I must get this cheese, heard great things and I keep seeing it at WF. Thanks MP!
I almost snorted coffee when I read about the 34lb bowling ball with pigtails. The pics and captions are priceless!! <3
Oh yum…love the mac & cheese recipe. I’m such a fan, and this one sounds especially delicious.
Love the dancing pic of the girls. Fun!
Vegan mac and cheese? Now that I may eat!
That mac n cheese recipe sounds like it could soothe the heart of nations. Mmmm
omgggg…She got out of her crib! This is funny to me..but likely not to you and the hubs..I love that dance party picture ..lol
That mac and cheese looks delish!
Oh yummmmmm, that mac and cheese looks great!! WAAAAAAY better than kraft!! That’s so wonderful that Gigi is such a good role model for Lulu. I know you are so proud of your precious girls!
haha…i just *LOVE* posts like this because it reminds me so much of my childhood growing up with three sisters, its ridiculous. from violent blows of bottles to copying each and everything each other does to dance parties, i love it.
these girls are going to be best friends one day. i never believed it when my mom said that, but it happens.
happy mem day mama pea!!!
so good to know of a dairy less mac and cheese! I will try to find that brand of vegan cheese because others I have tried have not melted all that well.
Ohhhh your life is going to change now with Lulu knowing the escape route from her crib…even with a little help from her “friend.”
Ah…she is growing up! I actually liked it when they could both get up on there own. At least now it is nice. They were up reading yesterday morning. I swear, I was so proud at that moment! I LOVE Daiya. To be honest, I didn’t want to, but I do. For things just like this. Enjoy your day today!
You’re hilarious about the “how babies are made” stuff. I’d like to thank you, on Lulu’s behalf, for taking the proper precautions to shield her from a possibly traumatic event. I’ve never personally had said experience, but from friends’ accounts, I don’t think it’s something from which you ever truly recover.
Your little girls get into some serious trouble!
So good to know that the Daiya cheese melts well. I had it in my hand at the store and put it down! I can’t wait to try it in this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
OMG this is too funny!!!!
I have distinct memories of breaking my little sister out of her crib. My mom would hear my voice on the intercom saying “now put your foot here… hold on…”
That mac n cheese looks faaabulous! I hope the Pea family has a good Memorial Day!
I’d like to say that I’ll make that mac and cheese for my cousins when the come. But honestly I want to make it for myself and add some broccoli to reminisce about college food.
It’s so sweet to how your girls are each others best friends!
I was wondering what the verdict was on the meltability of that cheese! I’m dirty, exhausted, and stuck in the Vegas airport… Can you have some of that mac n cheese ready for me when I get home???
I just gave the last of it to Deb and the boys. Sorry, babes! The Daiya is AMAZING, though. I want to fly to Vegas and marry it.
I don’t need to tell you this, but it’s amaaaaaazing how tall Gigi’s getting. I guess it’s all the veggies
I wish I was one of your kids. They are so blessed to have such a humorous, witty, clever, creative mom. I hope your book has a “how to parent like mama pea” section.
Aww, thanks Kendel. It smells like a sequel!
Gigi really looks like she is getting into the dance party. So cute!
i don’t want to sound like a creeper but it really makes me tear up seeing your girls get so big and see how their personalities are beginning to form and individualize. Maybe cause I’m gonna have a lady visitor soon..but still.
i am going to try that mac and cheese with my son (to sneak a little more protein in).
and if want a “lid” for the crib, you can get a “crib tent.” they are AWESOME!
Of gosh does this bring make memories…Lori used to get so mad because I would always follow her around. She called me her shadow ; ) I feel Lulu!!
Oh my goodness, that vegan mac & cheeze looks incredible! Are you finding Daiya in Whole Foods? I’ve been searching for it in Canada, but I guess it isn’t available here quite yet…
This post was brilliant! I LOVED the picture of Lulu watching from afar with the poetry in motion caption. And I have to try the mac and cheese one day this summer. Daiya is so good.
zomg I love the mac n’ cheese! Never thought of using tofu in it and now that is all I want. Scott has been asking for some spicy mac ‘n cheese and he just might get some sooner than he thought. Yum!
Poetry in motion! That brings me back. I love adding tofu to mac & cheese… it makes it taste so much cheesier! Not ashamed to say I made myself a bowl of Annie’s when I got home after 10 for dinner last night.
I am totally a cheese lover but dairy does not love me at all. I need to find that vegan cheese. I’ve been reading about it everywhere!
I love all of the sisterly love. My sisters and I are best friends. But we totally hit each other over the heads with barbies, beach balls…etc. Out of love…of course…
Also! I was the sister who helped sissy out of the crib. My parents were not pleased. I had a lot of time outs. Mostly because I took an unwilling little sister out of her crib.
Lol… precious, precious pics!!! I am quite sure that Lulu kisses the ground that Gigi walks on! Who could ask for a cooler big sis!?
And yeah, that’s eye-closin’ mac and cheese…love the subtle addition of protein with the tofu! Looks soooo good!
I just made this and officially decided it is the best veganrecipe I have made. I’ve been vegan for 10 months and this is not some ‘good vegan recipe’ it’s an AMAZING recipe my omni friends will devour. THANK YOU SO MUCH MAMA PEA!
That does look like some uber-cheesy delicious mac & cheese. It might even rival my mom’s mac & cheese.
Switcheroo success! Been gradually working my kids to a vegetarian diet. And their cheese consumption has become obscene in the process
I’ve tried several other vegan mac and cheese recipes – they’ve sniffed them all out with big thumbs down. How dare I try to fool their delicate palates!
Today they were gushing about this batch and finished every last noodle!
Yay!! THANK YOU!
Thank you again Mama Pea! I have your book, and when I read that you were a Deluxe girl I knew that this would be a winner recipe. It was so delicious (maybe too delicious!) and really took me back. I haven’t been vegan very long (but having done 2 year weight loss haven’t had mac very often at all), but every dish makes me realize what fun and opportunity and taste and health there is out there!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Can’t wait for your new book, I’ll keep occupied with the current one in the meantime!
No exaggeration… I think this recipe just changed my life. I haven’t had mac and cheese in years due to dairy intolerance and this stuff is fantastic!!!!!
I am late to the party on this one, but my husband made this last night – sooooo spot-hitting and delicious! Thanks, Mama Pea.