Littles, Middles, KidAdults & Shortbread

In my life there are littles, middles and KidAdults.

Littles: this is an example of littles. They are very small people incapable of rational thought or of using the modern facility we refer to as a toilet. Notice the disposable diaper peeking out of Jillian's (the little on the right) shorts. They tend to arise very early in the morning and do not require coffee to commence making noise.

Littles favorite word is NOOOO! They are prone to temper tantrums, drooling and uncontrollable cuteness which renders them unbelievably lovable.

Middles are between the ages of 5 and 12.

They are known for their athletic prowess, superior intellect (that consists mostly of thinking their parents know everything) and their ability to use modern facilities (i.e. the toilet). They are prone to using inappropriate verbs that renders them hysterical (think: fart, booger, doo-doo head, etc.). They tend to make adults laugh, but not in front of them because that would be inappropriate and would not be a good example.

KidAdults are ages 13 to ?

KidAdults know everything. They are absolutely mortified at how incredibly stupid and out of touch old people are (old people = anyone older than them) they are inflicted with the disease of rolling eyes. This condition renders them incapable of speaking to or listening to anything adults say without rolling their eyes into the back of their heads. Do not waste your money on an opthomologist; this is a first time KidAdult parent mistake. The condition will eventually pass without major repercussions to their overall vision.

There are many stages of KidAdults and it depends on the person you are speaking with whether these beings are referred to as KidAdults or Kids or Adults.

For example:

I am an adult to my offspring (consisting of KidAdults and one sometime Adult)

I am an adult to my siblings and the best husband in the world.

I am a Kid and at times a KidAdult to my parents and their friends. As in: Andy and Dolores' Kid has a blog. Or as in: my KidAdult has a blog.

Sometimes my son, father to Hannah and Jillian, the littles (pictured) is an adult, sometimes, he is a KidAdult; even though he is in his 30's.

I'm sure to my grandparents (now deceased) I was a little and perhaps a middle. Or maybe they, being wise and from the old country didn't bother about such musings....

S0, who are you and who are the people in your life? No matter; here is a recipe that will satisfy the little, the middle, the KidAdult and the Adult and in your life:

Peanut Butter and Jam Shortcake:

You will need:

¼ cup creamy peanut butter (do not use all natural types)

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature

½ cup sugar

Large pinch salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ¼ cup flour

1/3 cup of your favorite jelly, preserves or jam (preserves & jam work best, but jelly is fine too)

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray bottom of 9 inch springform pan with nonstick spray. Beat butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add sugar and salt and beat again. Beat in vanilla, then flour. Take out 1/3 cup batter, shape into flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes. Pat rest of dough into bottom of pan using slightly wet fingers. Refrigerate while waiting for the frozen disk.

Remove pan with dough from refrigerator. Spread jelly or jam over dough leaving a ½ inch border. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the dough disk and sprinkle over jam.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Release sides from pan. Cut into “pizza” wedges.

Enjoy being a little, middle, kidadult or adult again.