He Survived!

Yesterday was Ryder's first day of Pre-school for the year. You guys remember that I was more worried than he was. In fact, I was so worried and am so pregnant, that I didn't even take a picture of him! He wasn't dressed fancy anyway...on Meet the Teacher Night we learned that they will be getting messy this year. In lieu of ruining anything nice, he just wore a Target T-shirt and some Khaki Shorts.

I packed more than I knew he would eat for lunch, in an effort to make sure he would eat SOMETHING. When I picked him up, his teacher casually asked me, if I was confused about who I needed to feed...Ryder or the whole class? I wasn't sure whether to be offended or just take it as a funny gesture...hmmm....

Anyway, he did cry when I dropped him off, but he was able to tell me "Bye-Bye" and give me a kiss through the tears. It made me choke up a little bit. I initially wanted to jerk him up and take him with me. His teacher told me that they were going outside in the next few minutes. You all know my little man loves, loves, loves the outside. I knew he'd be happier there, then he would be stuck up in his playroom, while I was working on the computer. He now cries when he sees me go towards the computer. I kept telling myself that as I drove away.

I decided to make a quick Starbucks run. Pumpkin Spice is out as of yesterday!! I wait for this time of year just for that drink. I crave that drink during all of the other seasons. I get secretly excited that cool weather is on our horizon when I see the Pumpkin Spice sign on their Order Board! O.K., so if it isn't obvious, Pumpkin Spice is my favorite drink of the whole year...I made it "Decaf" for Plus One's sake. Drink in hand and out of the Starbucks Parking Lot, I looked at my clock.

Here is where "Psycho Mom" enters the scenario.

According to Ryder's schedule, he would still be outside playing. I decided to drive back by the Church and make sure that he was having a good time. I didn't want him to be the kid in the corner of the playground picking at grass all by himself. Rest assured, I found a crazy-happy almost 2-year old, running around with the biggest smile on his face. That sinking feeling I had went away and I was so glad he was having fun!

I found out that he did sleep on his Nap mat for a little over an hour! Yaaa, Ryder! They got to sing and dance in Music and give the Hermit Crabs a Bath. Thank goodness he gets his dose of Hermit Crabs in at pre-school, because I don't want any creature that belongs in a cage to ever live in our house. Tomorrow they will practice giving Babies a Bath with Baby Dolls! How perfect is that...I'll have a little helper next week! LOL!

So, all in all, I think his day went good! We finished it up with a trip to Sonic for a Happy Hour Slush and a trip to the Backyard for Swinging, the Water Ball and the Pool! Well, the pool had to wait until Daddy got home. With the cooler nights, the water temperature is down to 80 Degrees. This Mama doesn't do 80 Degree water and I found out that Daddy doesn't do 80 Degree Water either. I think his exact words were, "I Love You, Ryder...but that water is even too cold for Daddy!". Thank goodness for a Hot Tub that is Ryder sized!

I promise to pull my camera back out and start putting pictures with these post again real soon! Next week we'll have Ryder and "Plus One" to debut here!

Recipe Tuesday

This is a super easy one that is so yummy even Ryder will devour a Bowl!

White Chicken Chili:

2 Heads of Garlic or 2 Heaping T of Minced Garlic
3/4 t. salt
1 can Diced Green Chili's
1 medium onion
1.5 lb. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
2 Cans of Navy Beans
1 Jar of Salsa
Sour Cream

Directions:
1. Empty the two cans of Navy Beans into a small pot on the stove. Simmer on Medium-Low Heat.
2. Add Diced Green Chili's to Beans.
3. Add Minced Garlic. (If you choose to use fresh Garlic, Cook and Mince as you normally would. I buy a big Tub of Minced Garlic at Costco and use it in any recipe that calls for garlic...saves a ton of time!)
4. Dice Onion and Saute in skillet until cooked. Add Chicken and cook thoroughly.
5. Dice Cooked Chicken and add Onion and Chicken to Beans.
6. Stir in Salsa.

Serve Warm with Sour Cream and Tortilla Chips!
Note: I have used canned diced chicken instead of fresh chicken when in a hurry and it turns out great this way, too!

An Interesting Year...

We had "Meet the Teacher" last night at Ryder's pre-school. It should be an interesting year. He went to the same school last year, one day a week. This year, he will be required to attend two days a week because of his age. I fully know, that I am probably more nervous than him. Honestly, it is likely that I am blowing the whole thing out proportion. I'm so scared though. He cried his eyes out last night when we showed him his room. He was a LOT better once he realized we (Matt and I) weren't leaving and two of the little girls from his Thursday class last year were there. Tuesday is going to pull my heartstrings though.

Do you know what a "Mean Mom" it makes me feel like to leave my child in a strange room screaming, while I just walk away? Heck, I already feel guilty enough that in less than 2-weeks (thats right folks.. September 8 is the big day if it doesn't happen before) we are going to turn his world upside down with the introduction of "Plus One" who will be stealing some of the limelight he has bathed in the last 2 years.

Everybody tells me it is good for him to get out and socialize. Better for him to learn to be away from me now, then to experience it for the first time in kindergarten. And, I know, I will be grateful that he is able to spend a few hours a week in a place where he is getting to play outside, go to music and learn new things...all while I am learning all the ins and outs of "Plus One".

On the plus side, we did find out that he will be required to start throwing his lunch away when he is finished. He has to sit at the table to eat his lunch, not in a booster or highchair. (We were practicing this in the picture..he sits there, but then tends to want to graze i.e. get down and play..then come take a bite.)

He will also have to start picking up toys. I initially worried about these things. I don't want him to be in trouble because he obviously hasn't mastered all of these objectives yet. Then, I decided to look at it from a new perspective: Maybe some of these good habits will follow him home!

He also loved the class fish "Prince Erick". We discovered that Hermit Crabs make him laugh..they make me a little nervous. Don't those things pinch your fingers? There is a slide in his classroom which he went up and down a zillion times. And, it sounds like they are going to get to do lots of sensory and craft activities.

Think of me next week...think of Matt next week. Between sending Ryder off and knowing that there is less than a week left of my life as I know it being a Parent of One...I am sure to be driving him crazy!

Recipe Tuesday

It has been my goal, to make Tuesday's, the day I share a recipe with you. I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been very consistent, but September is a new month and I promise to "try" and post a new recipe every Tuesday! In celebration of "Recipe Tuesday", I am trying Mary's Lasagna recipe out for our dinner tonight! Go check out it's yumminess here!

The Recipe I am sharing is one I actually made this morning. It is a Chocolate Quick Bread that I had never tried before. I had two ripe bananas and I decided to mash them in as well. It turned out really good and I have unnecessarily snacked on it throughout the day! Hope you Enjoy!

Chocolate Banana Bread
In a large bowl sift together:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup cocoa

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

In a smaller bowl combine:
1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 1/4 cups sour milk*

*Sour milk: add 1 tbsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk at room temp. Allow to sit 5 minutes.

Combine mixtures until just blended.

Fold in:
2 Ripe Mashed Bananas

Pour into sprayed 9 x 5 loaf pan. Bake at 350° F for one hour.

Maybe....

Just maybe....if you didn't wake up at 6:30 a.m., every single day, you wouldn't be so sleepy at 8:00 a.m. I have to admit though, you have blessed me....most Mom's don't get to do housework while their child lays back and watches Sesame Street. I love you, Ryder!

Diapers, Diapers, Diapers!!!

When we moved to our Neighborhood five years ago, I never knew what a blessing it would be. We have the absolute best neighbors, who have in turn become some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for.

We have "Game Night" at one of our homes, once a month. Tonight was "Game Night" at my very good friend Vicky's house. The girls all got together behind my back and planned a Diaper Shower in lieu of our usual game. It was such an awesome, awesome surprise!! I always have so much fun with these girls, even though we sit around and do a bunch of nothing. I think that is the Best Part! Thank you so much, all of you!!! You are the BEST and I am so happy to have you all within walking distance!

Random...

While getting ready for bed, a decent parent always offers their child a good brainwashing activity. Ryder almost has "Gig'em Aggies!" down...we'll probably need a few more evenings of vigorous language mimicking before perfection is reached. Of course, appropriate attire is required for the activity at hand.