Angels on the Playground

Yeah!! School break is ending and most parents are thrilled to take the "I'm bored" complaints and send them to the bus stop with a backpack and kiss.  As a working mom I haven't listened to any statements of boredom, but I am looking forward to my angels having obligations and responsibilities again so they won't have time to complain about mine. (I suppose kids who have to get up early and go to daycare feel they are cheated out of the lazy mornings and sleeping late.)

I have had a lot of luck this weekend getting ready for school.  Thanks to Target for all the clearance items we just ordered online!  I got two pair of shoes, 3 shirts, and a skirt for less than $50.  And Walmart let me turn a frown upside down for $10 with the purchase of a fairy backpack because there is a boy who made fun of the Dora backpack.

I also opened my copy of "Parenting, the school years"  with lots of ideas for getting back to school.  One of my favorite was making morning easier (Sept. 2012 Manic-Morning Makeovers) by implementing a solution to the trouble of choosing breakfast or paying a small fortune for school breakfast which usually consisted of 3 servings of processed grains.  Writer Janene Macarella suggests a set menu such as Monday= waffles, Tuesday = cold cereal, Wednesday = bagels, Thursday = Oatmeal, Friday = yogurt and fruit.  Sounds genius to me!  We can make breakfast to be eaten at school (because the time between car pool drop off and starting school is long).  And, I regain control over the quality and content of the meals.  So today I am making homemade granola!  I am trying the first of two recipies I have on hand, and it sounds like it will be super easy.  I got this recipe from  a coworker who swears by its flavor and simplicity.

4 Cups Oats (Old Fashioned are best)
1 Cup Almonds (whole, chopped, slivered, etc)
1 Cup Coconut
1/2 Cup Sunflower Seeds
1/4 Cup Sesame Seeds
1/4 Cup Flax Seeds
2/3 Cup Maple Syrup
2/3 Cup Canola Oil

I have been assured this is a "whatever's-in-the-cupboard" recipe.  Use what you have, make adaptations...

Combine dry ingredients. Combine syrup and oil together in a separate bowl and pour over dry ingredients. Blend well until everything's moistened.  Spread mixture on two baking sheets. Sprinkle brown sugar on top to taste. Bake in 325º oven for 25 minutes, until light golden brown.
Scrape and turn/move granola on baking sheet; keep scooping and mixing until it doesn't stick anymore…don't let it sit or it'll stick like glue. If it does
stick, put it back in oven to re-warm and scrape when you take it out. Let cool completely before storing in container.

If you try this recipe please write a comment and let me know how it turned out.  I have not finished my batch, so I don't have any results for you yet!

I would love to hear how you are making the transition to School Days again.

More ideas about parenting and living can be found on my pinboards soon.  

Watch for RaisingWildAngels at Pintrest.