emeril's got kid friendly cookies

I love to bake cookies but have little time with our recent travels. Today we made time so I could try out a new recipe. I love these little peanut butter guys and you MUST try them soon. They are super easy and absent flour in the recipe; great to make with the kids!

Thanks to Martha Stewart's Every Day Food Magazine:
Emeril's Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Double this batch right off like I did and they might last more than a day or two. I can't seem to get my hand out of the cookie jar! Milk and cookies anyone?!

doing homework

Our pile of magazines and happy/sad faces.

Yes, even ECFE preschool send home some occasional homework. We had to look through magazines and find pictures of people who were happy and sad and then paste them on a piece of paper to take to school tomorrow. It was a bit of a chore for him as he kept getting off track finding other things he would rather cut out but the job got done.

Did he pass? Yes - he knows the difference between a person who appears sad and one who appears happy. He is so in touch, he can even tell me when the cats and dogs are happy or sad in the photos. Who knew?!

Seth cuts using one hand and the table for leverage. "Leverage" being his word when I showed him how to hold it in what I believe to be the "right" way. Note to self - let him do it his own way, he knows what works best for him.

I have to say that we will be doing more cutting from magazines though. The wealth of learning that took place was great. Cutting and gluing practice equal fine motor skills, recognition of emotions, color and letter identification, and much fun too! Get out some of your old magazines and give it a try.

it IS okay to say "no"

Life has been crazy in our home and I keep thinking that we will get over this bump and then someone gets sick or we travel somewhere or... You know how it goes if you have a young family. I was feeling stressed yesterday at the number of times I was telling Seth "no" and then in my inbox today I get this from Growing Child...

THE POWER OF A WORD

If someone told you that you could shape your young child's orientation towards becoming a successful adult by doing one thing during his or her early years, my guess is that you would do it. Who doesn't want their children to become successful, well-rounded adults? Well, here is that one thing: Respond firmly when necessary with the word, "No." Even more specifically, be clear about the "no" when your youngster is having a temper tantrum to try to get his/her own way about something. There is specific teaching power in that one word.

Now this is not as simple as it first sounds. In life's stressful moments, many parents may be tempted to give in to the demands and tantrums employed by youngsters to get what they want--think of the classic grocery store exhibition, of the red-faced child screaming to get the candy she/he wants.

After all, who wants to be subjected to the embarrassment of the stares and comments of others when the little ones create a scene? It is often difficult to maintain a long-term perspective when the short-term event is so challenging.

Think for a moment about the character traits that are developed when parents use, and stick to, that one little word: "no." Peace at any price may be a very high cost indeed to pay for not saying, "no."

Self-control, the ability to swallow one's impulse and restrain one's actions when they are not appropriate, is a vital component for successful adult lives. As children learn to rein in their words and actions, they develop the ability to master their urges, rather than give in to them immediately. This is a first step to being able to take over aspects of one's life, rather than have those aspects rule the individual.

Learning that "no" means something helps children slowly develop respect for others. The original request or temper tantrum centers only on the child herself, what it is that she wants. By not allowing children to win through temper tantrums, parents help children learn to show consideration for others.

Temper tantrums disregard anyone except the child himself. Children may not agree with the parent's viewpoint, but they are asked to respect that others have rights.

Understanding that we don't get everything in the world we want, or when we want it, helps children to develop patience. Delayed gratification lies at the base of learning to wait for desirable things, of learning that a goal may not come immediately. "No" judiciously applied helps children learn something about the realities of life, that the world does not in fact revolve around their needs and wants, and that others may not quickly grant their every wish. These are valuable lessons to learn before venturing into college, or the world of work and relationships. So, ignore the stares of fellow shoppers, and stick to your guns. That "no" has long-term, lasting value.

Moms we will survive this stage, we will!

back to schooling at home

During my four weeks of maternity leave there was not much structure in the house. Let's face it - we were in survival mode. Now that we are back in day care, structure and routine are a necessity. During the month of January we have spent our time focusing on occupations. Big word for small kids but they get it. It is amazing all the jobs they can come up with! Seth has decided that he will drive a Kubota (like his dad does at work) and be a Fire Fighter. I had to laugh. He'll be living on love just like his parents.

Here is what is ahead for home pre-schooling for February:

February 1 - 12th: Body Parts (God Made Me Special)
Songs such as Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes; Games such as Body Part Bingo; Coloring sheets and tracing our bodies on large newsprint too! Keeping health and hygiene in mind this is a great time to relearn hand washing and keeping our germs to ourselves. (Cold and flu season is far from over!)

February 13 - 26th: How the Body Works (God Made Us to Love)
This is a great time to talk about what are different body parts are for. We will spend some extra time on tooth brushing too as it is Dental Health Month. With Valentine's Day we will make plenty of love notes for friends and family but also talk about how God created us to love others!

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1: 1