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Pancakes

Description:
The first order of the day- pancakes. This morning's breakfast is Brenzie's special request. The recipe makes fluffy and yummy pancakes, plus the texture absorbs the maple syrup. So delightful! After Brenzie's first bite, he said, "So sarap!" Take it from him, these pancakes are really good. (I previously posted Nigella's pancake recipe; throw that one out if you copied it, and use this one from now on. This one is really a keeper.)

Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:
1 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients together; do the same for the wet ingredients.
Combine the dry and wet ingredients using a whisk; it's okay to have some small lumps.
Cook in a skillet (I don't add oil anymore).
The pancakes are ready to be flipped when bubbles appear on top.
Serve with butter and maple syrup (there's really no substitute for the real thing).

First Day of School Fever

I remember my first day of school in kindergarten.  I remember crying in the classroom and looking back once to check if my mother was still there and looking back the second time only to find that she's gone.  I remember I was terrified to ask permission to go to the toilet.  I remember being lonely and scared and not liking school at all.  I remember my first day of school so well that over the weekend, I was anxious about Trixie's first day of school.  I so don't want my kids to go through the same trauma that I did; I want them to like going to school and be passionate about learning. 

Yesterday was Trixie's first day of school at Reedley and even though I was feeling sick and groggy, I had to bring Trixie to school because she "needs" me (or so I thought.)  When we got there fifteen minutes early, we found that the school prepared a special program to welcome the lower school students and the parents.  The teachers told a story, sang some songs, got the children moving with some exercises.  The teachers and assistants were introduced; school programs were explained.  It was a simple program really.  But what made it special was the energy and enthusiasm that the teachers showed that made the children (and me) feel welcomed and at ease.  When it was time to go, Trixie looked back at me and waved good-bye.  She was happy to go to her class.  No crying, no clinging, no trauma. 

Today was Trixie's second day in school.  She woke up and got ready for school without me forcing her to.  She got home today and told me, "I love my school.  You were right, Mom!"  Oh what joy.