Practicing and Praying

We've practiced with the lunch box for over a week now.  How does a 3 year old learn to eat like a big school girl without some practice?  We unzip the brand new, cool lunchbox, get out the containers and practice opening them, wipe our hands, eat the good food (with no complaining or asking for someone else's lunch), wipe our hands and our face, clean up our area, put all the containers back in the lunchbox...and it is as simple as that.

YIKES!!!

My baby is going to preschool tomorrow and I am slightly panicking!!!

Will it be good for her?   YES.
Will she learn a lot?   Of course.
Will she make new friends?  That is my prayer.
Will it be fun?  I'm sure of it.

We've been over our manners again this morning.  I have talked about sharing and waiting our turn. There's lessons on not pouting and how we can't win all the time.  We've read "The Night Before Preschool" and "JoJo's First Day Jitters".  I am preparing her with all I can think of.  I'm reassuring her and encouraging her.  I am promising her it is going to be great!

We're practicing and praying.

Practicing for the procedures and rules of school and praying for a smooth adjustment and easy acclimation to the whole process.

I am reminding myself that this is good for her. This is preparing her for all the many years of school ahead. Preparing her to learn.  Preparing her to grow up.  Preparing her to be the young lady God wants her to be.

God is preparing her and her big sister for all He has in store...and He is preparing me too!  I am nervous as to what is to come.  I don't know what to expect.  What will I be called to do?  Is there something new in store for me as this new stage of motherhood begins?  I am a slightly panicking!!!!  But...

Will this be good for me ?  YES.
Will I learn a lot?  Of course.
Will I make new friends?  That is my prayer.
Will it be fun?  I'm sure of it...as long as I keep my eyes on my heavenly Father and trust Him and what is to come!  As long as we keep practicing and praying I have no doubt the year ahead will be a great one!


Today's Verse

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Recipe Remake

I have been attempting to remake some of our family recipes a little more healthy.  And I have been trying to makes some suppers ahead of time and freezing for easy quick suppers, and making our own pancakes and waffles and freezing for easy morning prep.  This has been fun and given me a chance to try new things.

The news ingredient is...coconut oil.  It looks a lot like shortening, has no coconut flavor and is a healthier fat!

I recently tried to remake these applesauce muffins...

http://mansionmoms.blogspot.com/2013/06/an-apple-day.html

Here are the new ingredients and they were a hit!

Applesauce/Carrot with Coconut Oil Muffins

1 cup flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups of applesauce (I used all natural, unsweetened)

1/4 cup minced carrots (1/2 carrot finely minced in the food processor)
6 Tbsp melted coconut oil

Mix dry ingredients in bowl and set aside.  Whisk together sugar and eggs until smooth.  Stir in cooled melted coconut oil, applesauce and carrots.  Pour wet ingredients in with dry and mix until just combined.  Over mixing makes a tough muffin.  Makes 36 mini muffins or 12 really big muffins.  Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes for minis or 18-22 minutes for big muffins.  Yummy and even more nutritious!

Today's Verse

"I am crucified with Christ:  nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."  Galatians 2:20

What's Cookin'

So I have missed this!!!!  I can't say when I will be back on schedule, but we have got one child in school and one more to go (sniff, sniff).  Yesterday was the first day of first grade! (I have loved saying that!  It sounds cool!)  We are excited about the school year and all the fun and learning to come.  I did want to toss out some recipes.  I hope your family enjoys!

Please don't think I am tooting my own horn...but here are some back to school recipes from Thriving Family.  My jello apples with a twist are included along with other great ones...

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/free/www.thrivingfamily.com/~/media/Thriving/1-articles/PDFs/school-lunch-recipes.pdf


I did store up some frozen homemade pancakes (Just the Bisquick kind) and these french toast sticks from Taste of Home...

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/French-Toast-Sticks


And of course we had nutella and MM waffles yesterday for the first day of school...

http://mansionmoms.blogspot.com/2012/08/not-so-good-for-you-but-ooooh-so-good.html



Today's Verse
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Phil 4:13
(Even send my oldest to First grade and youngest to Preschool in two weeks!)