Plasma Car...

After the kids are released from snack...they race to get a "car" to ride. The most coveted cars are the "Plasma cars" pictured to the right. We just added a new yellow one to the fleet...thanks to Leah receiving one for Christmas!

We like the Plasma Car because...

1. All ages enjoy it. A child old enough to sit down and hold on...up to a pretty heavy adult can ride the plasma car! After the preschoolers leave...our older children come home ride it around.

2. They are sturdy. We leave them outside. While they have faded...they are still in good shape. It would surely last a lot longer if it was stored in between usage...or was entirely an inside rider (if you have the space!)

3. They are pretty good exercise...and they require some balance. They teach a young child the basics of steering and motion.

4. They are stable...and the child is close to the ground so if they were ever to fall...it would be a minor spill.

They go for around $50 or so and are worth every penny. We have purchased bicycles for quite a bit more that just ended up rusting and being a waste of money. These see use and abuse every single day and keep on truckin'.

There are several knock-off brands out there. We purchased one and it wasn't made nearly as well...but still works fine.

You might consider this for a future present for your child. The both of you will not be disappointed!

Is More School Better?

Schools across the nation are trying to figure out how they are going to be able to stay open. Daily the news tells the stories of districts sending out mass pink slips to their teachers...of schools getting rid of things like their art classes and sports programs and cutting their custodial crews...and of other ways that they are drastically cutting back on their expenses.

Earlier this year Arnold Schwarzenegger...looking for ways to cut expenses for the state proposed having 5 fewer school days each year.

In direct contrast to that statement Barak Obama and his Education Secretary are publicly advocating that the US have more school days per year...and longer days. Their statements do not mention any legislation towards that end...just that it is what they want to have happen.

So does it sound like a good idea to you? Here is an article discussing some of the pro's and con's. Personally I do not want more school. I want higher quality schooling...and stronger families to support that education. Frankly...I also want the disbanding of the board of education and the federal governments role in our children's education.

A fair question ask is..."If we can't afford to run our schools right now on the days and hours that we currently do...how will we afford it if we increase the days and hours?" It is like a family that is deeply in debt...on the verge of bankruptcy...about to be on the street...planning on how they can spend more money on shoes. While shoes are important...if you have no money to buy them...you may have to make do with what you've got...or take money from another expense to pay for the shoes.

Anyways...this is an issue that we need to decide where we stand on it...so that if it tries to become a law...we can make our voices heard.

Helping Hands Bread...

Here is the oft requested "Helping Hands Bread" recipe! Don't be afraid to make it...it's not that hard! We can be available for tech support if you stumble...and walk you through.

I double this recipe every time I make it. I like to use small loaf pans I purchased in a working play set from IKEA. They are a good size for preschoolers, they fit well into toaster, and they bake quicker than big loaves!

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups warm water (not too hot)

1 package dry yeast

1/2 cup honey (One can also use brown sugar...honey is preferred)

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

3 cups wheat flour (Often this is not just wheat...but multigrain)

3 cups unbleached white flour

1 stick softened butter

Dash of healthy oil (optional…I use flax)

Ground Flax seed (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1. Fill large mixing bowl with warm water. Stir in honey, and yeast. Wait for it to get foamy. I place it in the sink with warm water underneath.

2. Stir in rolled oats and half of the flour. Let sit for about 45 minutes to rise. Should double in size.

3. Stir in the remaining flour, salt, softened butter, and optional ingredients. Knead roughly. Do this for about 7 minutes until dough is no longer wet but smooth. This may take adding several more cups of flour depending on how much flax oil was put in…humidity…etc.

4. Punch down and shape into rolls or loaves and allow it to double in size again before baking.

or...

At this point…if you have the time…the other option is to let it rise again. I put it in one big ball back into the big mixing bowl in the sink with warm water. Let it double in size...knead it and shape into loaves then bake. This extra step can make it more fluffy.

5. Bake at 375 until brown and crusty on top.

or

Bake in a sun oven. Times vary based on available sun!

6. If the bread gets too brown on top and they are not cooked all the way through…place tin foil on top.

7. Allow for them to cool on drying racks then store...or eat!!

I recommend stocking up on Trader Joe's pumpkin butter this October. Enough to last you the year through. A steaming piece of Helping Hands bread...topped with butter and Pumkin butter is divine. One parent upon trying it exclaimed "This is the best bread experience I have had in my entire life"!!!

A Blog!

With the start of the new preschool year...we have devised a new way of keeping parents up to date as to what is going on in our program...and to disseminate other useful information!! A blog!

Here I will post recipes that we use (like the bread one as pictured!)...circle time songs and rhymes...articles...and other fun stuff!

Please put your email address in the box to the right...and then an email will be sent to you to confirm that you want our updates.

You can also leave feedback on our posts for all to see...so that we can communicate as a group!