- Materials
- Nature objects you've gathered on a walk (dried leaves, acorns, seedpods, pinecones, twigs, etc.)
- Large grapevine wreath (available at garden centers) or individual small ones
- Floral wire
- Glue gun
- Instructions
- Take your family for a stroll through a neighborhood park or any nearby nature spot to gather whatever catches your eye.
- Back at home, invite everyone to arrange their finds on a large grapevine wreath, or provide individual small ones to serve as take-home keepsakes.
- Twigs, stems, and larger items can be woven into the grapevine or secured with floral wire. A parent can affix small items such as acorns or pebbles with a glue gun. Hang the finished product proudly -- it should last until spring.
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large apple, cored and sliced thinly
5 large eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1) Preheat oven to 400. In a 10-inch oven safe skillet, melt the butter and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar over medium heat. Add apple slices; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
2) In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, milk, cinnamon, salt and remaining tablespoon of brown sugar. Pour batter slowly over cooked apple mixture. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake until pancake is dark golden brown, sent in the center, and puffed around the edges, about 15 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar (optional) and serve!
If you or your child is exhibiting anxiety or having trouble settling into a new routine, try these suggestions to ease the transition:
- Visit his classroom together to meet his teacher and see where he will be staying.
- Plan to arrive at your child’s classroom a few minutes early, so that you’re not rushing when you say goodbye.
- When you drop your child off, don’t linger. Give her a quick hug and kiss, reassure her that you will be back, and leave. Ask the classroom teacher or assistant to give her extra attention and distraction for those first few minutes after you leave.
- If your child is a baby, play peek-a-boo or similar games to reassure him that whenever Mom “disappears,” she always comes back.
- Give your child verbal praise when she exhibits courage or takes those first few steps toward independence (even if your heart is breaking at your “baby” growing up.)
- Leave a lipstick kiss on the top of your child’s hand that she will be able to look at while she’s away from you.
- Don’t fuel an older preschooler’s fears by telling him that you’re scared or uneasy about the separation, even if you are.
- Stay occupied after you drop off your child — get together with a girlfriend on the first day of school, chat with your MOPS Discussion Group or call your mother. Keeping yourself occupied will help pass the time, and the support will do your heart good.
- Take older preschoolers out for a treat after the first day in a new classroom to debrief and celebrate.
- If you find yourself struggling with letting go, journal through your thoughts — you may be able to better sort through your thoughts, and it will be a wonderful memoir of those special milestones in your child’s — and your — life.
Upcoming Events:
October 28th - Clothing Exchange
November 18th - Toy Exchange
Next Meetings:
October 7th
October 28th
November 4th (back to back with Oct. 28)
Needs: We still need craft table leaders! Please consider volunteering to be a part of this fun and creative team. For more information, please contact Andrea or Kat!
