Oh, How I love our preschool!

Madeline's sweet little classmates on their last day together... She is the oldest over a six month span in this classroom, and next year she will move up to the class where she will be the youngest over a six month span. The director, teachers, and I are all confident that she will hold her own!


Her precious teachers, Ms. Brenda (holding Sara) and Ms. Lee Ann (holding Madeline) .
Hopefully, Sara will have the privilege of being their student the year after next.


As I wrote their end of year thank yous, I thought about how much change we experienced this past school year.

At the beginning of the year, I was very pregnant and worried over how
Madeline would take to a new sibling. I wanted her to enjoy preschool as a special place for "big girls", and I had no idea how much she would love it. She flourished! At two and a half, she was hardly talking at the start of the year, and now she is a chatty, confident, potty trained little girl. She never once cried when I left her.


The girl who is slow to warm up and wary of new faces gave exuberant bear hugs to Ms. Brenda, laughed hystericaly as Ms. Lee Ann played tickle monster and claimed her spot on her teacher's hip.





I'm looking forward to summer with both girls; we can create our own routine and not worry about busting out the door two days a week. I have plans to cook with Madeline a couple days a week, some simple art projects and her first chore chart with rewards.

It's been a rollercoaster of emotions this week as I think about my role as mother and the phase of life we're in. I have had the priviledge over the past 3 or 4 days to visit with parent in all stages of parenthood; from 4- 7 year olds, to high school graduates, to college graduates with a month to go before marriage. It's been a great reminder to me of how fleeting these years are and to not let myself get distracted from my primary role as a mother. Here's to a summer of smelling the roses and not getting stressed about picking them all at once!

April's book review

Lest you think that I am just now finishing this book for April let me reassure you- I finished this with a week to spare in the month of April. But, feel free to berate me for just now getting the review up. And May's book is Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp, which I haven't started yet, and will be my 3rd attempt to read all the way through.

This book was given to us by our church upon Sara's baptism. It was also given with the caveat that we may not agree with everything in it, but it was still a worthwhile read. The author, Robbie Castleman, is the wife to a pastor and mother to two (now grown) sons. The book was first published back in 1993, and is very practical and down to earth. ... and somewhat cheesy. With chapter titles such as "Daddy, I'd like for you to meet my children" and "The Holy Hug", this is not a book I would have given more than 5 seconds to upon perusal at a bookstore.

BUT, having raised two children in the joy of worship and witnessing the fruit from it, she deserves and earns her right to be heard. She encourages all parents to have their children "learn to worship by worshipping- through participation, practice, and patience". She makes it accessible by remembering her own experience as a child- going to church mostly as a routine exercise, and as a pastor's wife, so that wherever you fall on the spectrum you can relate.

I took away a few points for us to incorporate:

1) Sunday morning begins Saturday evening- have clothes, shoes, diaper bags ready for Sunday morning. Talk to your children about what they will do tomorrow with excitement!

2) Young children can be taught to listen for words that will often be repeated such as "Love, Jesus, truth, thanks, etc" and can squeeze your hand when they hear it. It helps to stretch out their attention spans and remind you of your duties in church.

3) Give answers to their questons as they arise. Use short answers in the sermon and follow up with them afterwards.

She disagrees with letting children "doodle" in church. I instantly thought of Edith Schaeffer's "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" and how she would doodle draw her husband's sermons to illustrate the main points of the sermon. We're talking stick figures here, so for this mediocre art student, it's possible. (By the way, I would HEARTILY recommend Schaeffer, desert island material my friends)

I don't think I would buy this "Parenting in the Pew" book, but borrow it and jot down a few notes.

Make Ahead

I'm always on the lookout for new recipes. And, with two small children underfoot, make ahead is my new favourite category. I'm pleased to share with you the results of one super-easy, mostly in your pantry, throw it in the oven and listen to the ooohs and aaahs breakfast.

Meet Praline Pecan French Toast!


Ahem, meet Praline Pecan French Toast!


(pay no attention to the fact that my fork is already dirty...yes, this is my second helping)

Praline Pecan French Toast (Southern Living)

1 French Bread loaf
1 c. brown sugar
1/3c. melted butter
2 tbsp. maple syrup
3/4 c. chopped pecans ( thank you Great Polly)
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cut bread into 1 inch thick slices. Stir together brown sugar, butter, and maple syrup; pour into a lightly sprayed 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Arrange bread slices over pecans; pour egg mixture over bread. Chill for 8 hours.

Bake at 350 for 35-37 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.


A few thoughts:

- This is the perfect time to use your Pyrex portable with the lid. Can you say girls getaway???

- I think you could use other breads; just grab something with a "airy" inside so it would hold up to the egg mixture. We used a whole wheat baguette.

- No pecans? Try walnuts. Or almonds. Maybe steer away from cashews... unless that puts a smile on your face, then grin on my friend.

- I've been trying to find a way to mimic a monkey bread recipe sans the canned biscuits. This might be the perfect solution. I'm going to try cutting the bread into cubes and assembling in a Bundt pan. I'm willing to suffer for my art.

Enjoy!