Tag Archives: Motherhood

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

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I can’t believe I have a second grader. As I was leaving the classroom this morning, something happened for the first time … she didn’t want to kiss me in front of the other students. Sigh.

{1st Day of 2nd Grade}

I thought by now, I would have it down. But, it doesn’t get easier. I miss her. Carter and I are both counting down the minutes for pick-up, I’m so anxious to hear every detail about her day!

We have a little tradition for the first day of school. Nothing big or life-changing, but we started with preschool and it has stuck. We make homemade chocolate chip cookies and serve them on a special plate, which she only uses on the first day of school.

She wouldn’t kiss me this morning, but she did ask if there would be homemade chocolate chip cookies on her plate 🙂

I never had a great chocolate chip cookie recipe, until I met my husband. My mother-in-law introduced me to her very own prize-winning homemade recipe. Here it is:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature

6 Tablespoons granulated sugar

6 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup, plus 2 Tablespoons sifted flour

1/2 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon hot water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 – 6oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips (or you can also use Hershey’s milk chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350. Blend butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until well blended. Add well-beaten egg. Sift flour, soda and salt in separate bowl. Add flour mixture to butter-sugar mixture. Add hot water and vanilla. Add chocolate chips. Drop by 1/2 teaspoons on cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool slighty, then remove cookies and put on rack to cool. When cool, store in container with tight lid.*

*A great tip from my mom — Put a piece of bread in the bottom of the air-tight container. It will keep your cookies extra soft.

So, after we enjoy our cookies, she has requested grilled tilapia for dinner. She is keeping me busy today!

Do you have any traditions for the first day of school?

Importance of a Mom

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On this chaotic summer morning, I am busy making my to-do lists. I need to get laundry started, then run to the grocery store. In between, pick-up the medicine at the pharmacy and feed the kids a healthy lunch. Oh, and I need to order those Twinkle Toes for Ella because they didn’t have her size at the mall. My freelance project requires at least two hours of my time. And, I can’t forget school supplies. In the middle of that eventful schedule, break-up a few fights and try to avoid my little “Superman” breaking any bones as he is jumping from the couch to the table, from his dresser to the floor. Calgon, take me away!

Being a mom is busy and chaotic. Sometimes, you feel like no one notices all you do. It’s draining. Everything is about everyone else.

Then, in the middle of my to-do lists and all the activity … I find her journal entry for today. And, my perspective changed drastically.

Mothering does contain some busy and unrewarding work (laundry, changing diapers (so glad I’m out of that stage), carpooling, etc.), but there’s more to it.

We shape a little soul, a character, a personality.

This is my prayer today — I hope God always reminds me of my importance as a mom, no matter what kind of crazy chaos is going on around me.

{On a side note: Today was so hectic, I wasn’t planning a blog post. The journal entry changed my whole outlook, it was the attitude adjustment I needed.}

Let’s discuss and encourage one another! When you get overwhelmed, how do you get back on track? What reminds you about the real importance of being a mom? Please share your stories, it may help another stressed-out and overworked mom 🙂

Choices, School Shopping & Letting Go

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“Sweetie, I found a really cute backpack at Gymboree. It’s got sweet little polka dots and a matching lunch box.”

“Uh, Mom, Gymboree is for babies. I want the backpack at the mall with the skulls.”

Skulls. Really? And I even had Gymbucks, what a shame.

I prayed about this one. As silly as it may sound, this is what happened last year when we went shopping for backpacks. It was tough. Not just a decision, but the realization that she had her own opinions, her own style, she was becoming her own self. It makes me tear up, even now!

The backpack had “girlie” skulls with heart-shaped eyes, pink flowers and pretty red roses. At least, that’s what I told myself. I still didn’t like the backpack, but it wasn’t mine. It was her decision to make.

And, then we went shopping for a new outfit. I wanted a cute little dress edged in ruffles with the matching hairbow and tights. But, we ended up getting a “Girlz Rule” shirt with a motorcycle on it and ripped jean skirt.

My baby girl is growing up. And, I’m learning to let her … little by little.

This year she wants a Vera Bradley messenger bag. Um, we’ll see about that one. Not quite sure if I’m ready to give her a bigger budget too?

I think choices are great, but they need to be age-appropriate. I’m trying to figure out what decisions a seven-year-old should be making. I still want to set boundaries as a parent, but I want her to be able to make her own decisions too.

So, I want to hear your advice! What choices do you give your kids and at what age? Do you give your kids a budget for their back-to-school shopping?