Middle Child and Saturday Morning

It’s that National Day again – the one that celebrates the seemingly forgotten Middle Child. There are all sorts of studies that tell us our birth order helps to shape the people we become.

In many ways, this makes sense. Just as our personalities aren’t formed at birth but rather develop over time, life experiences also shape us. And yet even those aren’t necessarily indicators of who we become or how we react. Two children in a loving environment might not have the same personalities traits or react the same in any given situation, just as children from an abusive situation aren’t necessarily going to be identical in their perspective on life.

I have a sister who buys into the whole birth order nonsense. She also believes everything Opra has ever said must be the gospel, is very left wing politically, and acts as though she is the only child in our family. Interestingly enough, she is also the youngest from our Dad’s first marriage. So in many ways, the whole youngest child traits fit her nicely. Our middle sister in not the peace maker – at least not when we were children. She was the reason there were rules, no doubt. Although when it came to being trouble makers, I think she and I were tied. As for me, I’m the oldest. I am bossy and opinionated and often believe I know everything. Just ask my siblings, especially the youngest, who by the way has never taken a risk a day in her life.

I think part of our personalities are formed right from the very beginning, and then we are shaped and refined in those traits through experiences. Take Kiddo, who is not an only child but was raised as an only child. He would rather not lead, nor does he follow. While sometimes quick to anger, he has never been demanding of anything. Who we are in not carved in stone. Who we become is up to us, in the choices we make, the paths we take and how we decide to interact with the world around us. That’s just this old gal’s unprofessional opinion.

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My favorite time has to be mornings – especially on the weekends or holidays or while on vacation – when we get to spend time together as a family. I love preparing meals for my guys. I take great joy in packing their lunches or spending time at the breakfast nook before starting a new day. It just puts such a positive spin on the whole rest of the day, don’t you think?

Glazed Crescent Dough Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Rolls
1 can Crescent Dough Sheet
4 tablespoons Butter, softened
1/2 cup Sugar
3 teaspoons Cinnamon

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Grease a round cake pan, set aside.

Roll out dough on a flat work surface. Using a pastry brush, apply the butter over the top of the entire sheet of dough. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon until well blended. Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over the buttered dough.

Beginning from one of the short ends, roll up dough. Using a share serrated knife, slice dough into 1-inch pieces. Arrange in the baking pan.

Place in the heated oven to bake for about 18 minutes or until golden and beautiful. While the rolls bake, make the glaze.

Glaze
1-1/2 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons Milk or more as needed
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Sift powdered sugar into a bowl. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, and stir until smooth. Add vanilla, followed by more milk if needed to create a glaze consistency.

When ready, drizzle over the cinnamon rolls while still hot. Serve and enjoy.

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 I love you, Lord, my strength