1st Day of School

                It happens every August, the first day of school. So how did it sneak up on me this year?  I think I was in denial, because my baby boy was starting PreK this year.  I wanted them to have a special breakfast today so I got up extra early so they could have sausage and cream cheese stuffed crescents and eggs.  Every one needs a special breakfast on such a big day, and this is right up there with Monkey Bread on their list of favorites!!

               

Yummy!!!!

                This year McKinley and Shane are going to different schools, so Jeremy went to Bitz with McKinley, and I went to Johnson with Shane. 


     McKinley                                                 Shane

            McKinley is in Mrs. Redford's class.  He was really worried about having a new teacher this year, since he had Mrs. Snyder for three years, but Mrs. Redford has been a perfect fit!

            Shane started the year out with Mrs. Thompson, but after a lot of praying and a lot of meetings we decided it was best for Shane to do another year of K.  He has Mrs. Allnutt now, and we could not be happier with her!  She is a perfect fit for Shane.



All of my babies before Shane and McKinley's first day.

               Noah was not a happy camper the first day of school because, he had to wait a grueling three weeks before PreK started.  He asked everyday if today was "the" day.  He couldn't wait and I never wanted the day to come!!  I know he is not the baby of the family but he is my baby boy.  The very last of my four sons to start school.  On the first day he literally ran out of the van and up to the pole to meet his teacher.  I could barley get a hug and a good bye out of him. I would be lying if I said I didn't go to the van and cry my little eyes out after giving him to his teacher! He has Mrs. McNamera and is doing really well.  She tells me everyday what a joy he is to have in class and I am so jealous of her!!  I miss him so much while he is in school.

Noah

               I am so glad Bella's birthday falls after the cutoff so I don't have to send THE baby to school next year.  I don't think I could handle that!!  But of course she can't wait!!

Bella

P.S. here is a pic of BFs littles and my littles on the first day of PreK.  Noah and McKenna don't have the same teacher but there teachers do share a classroom.  I think it eased their first day fears, having someone they are friends with so close!

Noah, McKenna, Bella, & Avrey



Monkey Bread

    I have been a mom for almost nine years, and I thought I had done a good job.  I tried to expose our kids to different cultures, music, art, and of course food.  So how is it that i missed the memo on Monkey Bread.  I have always seen it in the grocery store, and would see peoples status on holidays saying they made it with their family, but I had never had it.  Until......last week!!  I found a recipe, it sounded super yummy, so me and the kids decided to give it a try!!  Here is the recipe we used and pictures of each step.  Enjoy, I know we sure did!!!

    Here is what you need:

A super cute monkeys to help me!

Four packages of Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided

1 cup brown sugar

1 stick butter

1 tbsp Karo Syrup

               In a nonstick sauce pan mix 1 tsp cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and Karo syrup. Cook on low heat until melted, stirring every minute or so.

While this is cooking, use kitchen sheers (I love kitchen sheers!) to cut the biscuits in half.

I of course I let the kids help with this as well.

After cutting the biscuits, mix the white sugar, and remaining tsp of cinnamon in a large bag, or bowl with a lid.  Then as my kids say shaka, shaka!  Or shake until coated.

Then put the coated biscuits in a bundt pan, and pour the brown sugar mix over it. 

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Let cool for 10 minutes. Then flip it onto a plate.

Look at that yummy in my tummy goodness!!

I hope you enjoy, my monkeys sure did!

8 Rules for Dating a Marines Daughter

    I know what you all are thinking....Sarah's kids are not old enough to date, why is she doing a post on dating?  I had been a mom to four boys for almost six years, and had never really thought about my kids and dating, until October 1, 2007.  As I sat in the hospital recovering from having the most beautiful baby girl in the world a thought entered my mind.....one day she would date, and maybe have sex!  Jeremy, Ashley, and Wes all thought I had lost my mind, as the tears poured down my cheeks and into my O'Charley's potato soup.  When they asked what was wrong all I could say through the tears was "she is going to have sex."  So of course they were rolling around the floor laughing!! 
    Now that the hormones that come along with having a baby are long gone I am a little more stable on the subject, but have decided that Bella can't date until after she is married to the guy of mine and Jeremy's choosing!!  I like that plan! But I am pretty sure Bella will have a problem with it in about 14 years!!  
   I was reading an article in Military Parent when I stumbled upon 8 Rules for Dating a Marines Daughter. After a good laugh I decided to share it with you guys out the in bloggerville , so here goes!!

1.  If you pull into my driveway and honk you better be delivering a package because you sure aren't picking anything up.

2.  When it comes to physical proximity, forget what you have been told.  If there isn't enough room for a BIG book to fit in between you, you are too close.

3.  It is usually understood that in order to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, weather and other issues of the day.  The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

4.  I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls.  This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter.  Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you.  If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

5.  As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget.  My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than a deployment.

6.  Do not lie to me.  On issues relating to my daughter, I am all-knowing.  I have hunted men on the other side of the world with better hiding spots then you.  If I ask where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth.  Do not test my tracking skills.

7.  As soon as you pull into my driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safe and early.  You will then quickly return to your car and leave.

8.  Just because he mother is nice to you doesn't mean she likes or trusts you.  The woman has more spies than the FBI, and her ability to get my daughter to share secrets rivals any interrogator.  I am afraid.  You should be petrified!

    I am really very glad that I can laugh at these rules now, all to soon I will be making boys sign a contract saying they have read and agree to all the rules listed above.  Until then I am going to try to relax, and convince Jeremy is isn't quite time to put up his D.A.D.D.(dads against daughter dating) sticker just yet.  After all she is just turning three!!!

The countdown!

    Many of you may be wondering why my new background says "Back to School".  School starts three weeks from today, but is that really soon enough?  Not for this mom!!  Don't get me wrong, I have really enjoyed getting to spend more time with the kids.  But this year I will be down to one, count them, one kid at home!!  And it is Bella!  We can't wait to go get our nails done, go shopping, play dates with Bella's future husband (Tristan), story time and coffee, if there is something girly to do in J-ville we will find it!! 
    The down side is that my sweet, sweet Noah will be in Pre-K this year.  He is my baby boy and the child who is most like me.  He is my Mr. Darcy and I will miss him like crazy!  I will be the mom in the parking lot crying while he is walking in the school.  But he is excited so I am going to try to forget that he has grown up way to fast!!
     So don't judge me too harshly that I am excited for school to start back.  Come on, you know you can't wait!!  Oh yeah, 21 days to go!!!!