I
just returned from one of the nicest vacations and adventures I've ever had. I
went to the Midwest to visit someone I had never met before. When my adult son said to
me the night before my departure, "So you're going to visit someone you don't
know?, I replied with "Oh, I KNOW her, I just haven't met her yet". I went to visit
a very special friend whom I have come to know through blogging and email. Her
blog is appropriately named "4 little Fergusons", because she is the mother of 4
precious children (ages 2-9), and that is their last name. Because I have a
teacher's heart, I spent much time with the children: coloring, playing
games, teaching them rhymes, making kid-friendly ice cream in a bag, and holding
them on my lap. They decided I was their 'new' grandma. Before I left the oldest
said to me "Mrs.B (they were not allowed to call me by my first name), when you
come back again (I'm coming back?=) would you bring Mr. B with you so we know what
our new grandpa looks like". Sweet! It was a special memory-making time and we had
a ball together. "A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face"-Maya
Angelou,Letter to My Daughter
I
know that preparing to get kids ready for school makes for a lot of busy-ness
and weariness too. So when I read this adorable story in the Chicken Soup for
the Parent's Soul, I thought that you parents with school-aged children could
really appreciate this. I hope it will bring a smile and lighten your heart. Fair
warning-I just might have to ask Leader photographers to be on the
lookout on the first day of school, so however you choose to celebrate the first
day of ‘freedom’, don't forget to be looking over your shoulder.
DANCING
IN THE STREET by Raymond Aaron:
Parenthood: The
state of being better chaperoned than you were before
marriage.-Marcelene
Cox
"It
happened on a bright morning, early in September, some years ago as I came out the
front door of my home on my way to work. As I headed for my car, I saw her, out
there in the middle of the road. DANCING. My neighbor. A mother. A
wife. Otherwise, quite mature. Nevertheless, dancing in her pajamas and robe, and
wearing her giant furry-dog bedroom slippers. Sipping on coffee, dancing. Curlers
in her hair. And all alone, to the tune of some music only she could hear, my
neighbor was dancing!
I
was stopped dead in my tracks. Staring. She saw me and laughed, and giggled and
danced some more. And then, by way of an explanation, she called out to me: "I have
four children, and this morning, my youngest just went off to her first day of
school. I'M FREEEEE!" And she kept on dancing!"
Research
shows that kids who eat breakfast fare much better in school. It not only helps
maximize school performance, but helps them properly develop physically
also. Breakfast doesn't have to be a victim of the early morning rush. Make a
Breakfast Split by adding fruit and granola to yogurt. Some healthy foods can be
eaten on the go. Place in a disposable cup if need be. Toast or waffles with
peanut butter are a great way to begin the school day, and are simple to eat on
the way to school. Smoothies made with fruit,milk and yogurt make for a tasty
beginning to the day, especially for those that don't want something hot in their
bellies first thing in the morning.
This
is a fun breakfast to make ahead. Toast or microwave frozen for a quick
breakfast.
INVISIBLE
BANANA FRENCH TOAST
2
eggs
1
banana, sliced
1
tsp. ground cinnamon
6
slices white or wheat bread
1-2
Tb. margarine or oil
Place
eggs, banana slices and cinnamon in blender. Puree until smooth. Pour into
bowl; heat margarine. Dip bread into batter and fry until browned. Serve with warm
maple syrup or peanut butter. For a quick breakfast, roll up and eat on the go.
This
is a simple kid-friendly recipe that would make a yummy after-sch0ol snack. Adapt
to your family's tastes, using a favorite cereal or another dried
fruit.
MONKEY
CEREAL BARS
1/4
c. butter or margarine
1 (10-oz) bag
mini marshmallows
2
Tb. unsweetened baking cocoa
6
c. Cocoa Puffs cereal
1
c. coarsely crushed dried banana chips
1
c. coarsely chopped nuts
1/4
c. flaked coconut
Spray
13"X9" pan with cooking spray. In 4-qt. saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add
marshmallows; cook 4-6 minutes, stirring constantly until melted. Stir in cocoa
until well blended. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal, banana chips, nuts and coconut
until evenly coated; pour into prepared pan. Spread mixture evenly, pressing down
slightly. Cool 30 minutes. Cut into bars. Yield: 12 bars (Even better if you toast
the nuts and coconut first)
APPLE
SMILES have always been a favorite to fix for kids. Cut a red apple in
half; core,then slice each half into 4-5 slices. On one side of each apple
slice, spread peanut butter, add 4-5 mini marshmallows to represent teeth, then top
with another slice, peanut butter side down. You'll have 2 'lips' and
'teeth'.
Another healthy snack is to serve fresh baby carrots
and celery along with ranch dip.
Trust the new school year has everyone beginning on
the right foot.
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