Jack-Jack's Turn

We've been so focused on kindergarten around here that we didn't start talking to Jack about starting Sunday School and preschool until this week.  Which is about right for a three-year-old's attention span anyway!  It's been a TON of fun for him, although he's still a little uncertain about me leaving him alone. That won't last, though, I know it.  He had a great time at his orientation for preschool tonight.  I cannot believe this day is here.

His new SPARKS Bible from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

CrossRoads Pre-K at New Hope Church.

Sharing the Love: Apple Crisp

A friend asked for apple crisp recipes, so this is my recipe. It's ultra traditional and best served warm, with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel.  (In your fall apple baking, don't forget about this beauty!)

Apple Crisp:

10 c apples, sliced
1 c sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c water

Mix apples, sugar, flour and cinnamon and pour into lightly-greased baking dish.  Pour water over apple mixture.

1 c oatmeal
1 c flour
1 c brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c butter, melted

Mix the above and spread over apples.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Enjoy!

First Day in Photos

Dear Matthew

Dear Matthew:

Tomorrow you're going to start kindergarten.  And just so we both have a memory of how the day before you started went, I wanted to write you a little note.

You woke up at 7:30 this morning, crawled into bed with me, kissed me on the cheek to wake me up and said, "Mom!  I have to tell you something!  I'm so excited for tomorrow!" 

It probably should have started today.  You and Jack were a handful for me.  Seriously, do you have to throw things at each other ALL day long?  You got Jack good with a Lego and he clonked you with the Leapster.  Enough, boys.  Be kind to each other.

But it didn't.  So we spent the day together.  We went to my office and then we got soup and breadsticks for lunch.  We had to run a couple errands and then we just chilled together tonight. 

When you were in the bath, I brought you two shirts, one green and gray and one red and white and asked you which one you wanted to wear tomorrow.  Exasperated, you replied, "Mom!  I said to get me a new shirt."  You were appeased by my reminding you I got you new pants.  Then you chose the red and white one because "it's awesomer."  It really is, Son, good choice.

I tucked your excited little body into bed and it was your turn to choose the first song.  You chose "Down in my Heart."  ("I've got the JOY down in my heart...I have peace that passes understanding down in my heart...")  Again, excellent choice.  You are going to do just fine in kindergarten; you're a good decision maker.  It was a good day-before-kindergarten, Matthew. 

I got this note in your starting-school packet and it's a good reminder for everyone, so I'm going to share it here.  And with you as your life progresses.

Everything I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten...

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt someone.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and point and sing and dance and play and work every day.
Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together.  Be aware of wonder.  Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that...

-- Robert Fulgham

--------------------------

Good luck tomorrow, Matthew. I'll send you off, and be waiting when they bring you back.  I am so proud of you.

Love,
Momma

The Fivester

I went on a date with this handsome guy today.  It was so fun.  We went to the Mall of America, only to find out every parking ramp was full.  Which equals long lines and chaos, so we left.  We stopped at Target and got a new toy, then hit Red Robin for lunch, and saw the new Nanny McPhee movie.  Oh, then stopped off for a new pair of school shoes. Delightful. I love this child.  So much.

O'Henry Bars

This recipe is from my cousin Megan.  These are amazingly delicious.  Try 'em.

O'Henry Bars

Beat together:
4 c oatmeal
2/3 c butter
1 c brown sugar

Add:
1/2 c corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla

Butter 9x13 pan slightly.  Press oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the pan.  Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

Melt:
6 oz. chocolate chips (I use a bit more than that)
2/3 c peanut butter
(about one minute on high in the microwave)

Spread on top of oatmeal crust.

Chill in refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Kindergarten

There are hundred clichés for this milestone:

They grow so quickly.
You blink and they're grown up.
The years pass so quickly.

And they're cliché for a reason:  They're TRUE.  And mothers everywhere agree.

As we near the start of Matty's school career, I am blessed with so many other moms from my online forum of other moms with kids his age. And we're all going through this together.  And all of us are feeling emotional about it.  It's surprised me some initially, actually, that I wasn't the only one feeling so sad. 

I want to keep my Matthew little.  Desperately.  He's a curious, thoughtful child.  I have no doubt he'll grow up to be a wonderful thoughtful man as well, but the need for time to slow down a little physically hurts.  Ask Cory.  He'll attest to my tears.  And it's not his going to school -- that part doesn't make me sad (he is SO ready to use the brain God gave him!).  It's that his time at home with me, these past five years...are over forever.  Thank you to God, the Creator, for giving him to me and allowing me to spend these years with him.  And, my thanks to my gorgeous husband for busting his butt working so hard to support us. I am forever grateful.  So so lucky.

I'll have more photos to share as the week progresses.  Tomorrow night is his open house where he'll meet his teacher and see his classroom.  I'm planning a Momma/Matty day this weekend, and then, next Wednesday is his first day of school.  *sniff* *sniff*  *SOB*

One final one (courtesy of my wise mother):  The days are long, but the years are short.  The truest of them all.