First Day of School

Wednesday was Ethan's first day of 4 year old preschool. He has the same teachers as last year (we LOVE Ms. Jen & Ms. Krista!) and some of the same classmates, too (along with a new classmate and cousin, Alex!) We are SO excited for the year ahead!

Ethan & Alex -- Ethan loves preschool. He does not love smiling for photos.

The kids wanted pictures of their backpacks :)

Audrey

 Audrey was SO ready for her first day of school. She got out her backpack, posed for pictures...she was ready!  I told tell her that it was Ethan's first day of school and that she would get to go to her class on Friday at MOPS, but she was convinced that she was going to preschool. When we dropped Ethan off and Audrey realized that she didn't get to stay, she was not pleased at all.  Mommy made it up to her with some Chick-Fil-A and she was a happy girl again :)

"Snack Helper"

One of the first things Ethan always tells me when I pick him up from school is what "job" he had that day.  Last year he LOVED being "calendar helper" and would choose that as his job whenever he could.  This year, on his first day, Ethan was "snack helper."

And because I LOVE good food and sharing recipes:

Tonight for dinner, we had Paleo fish sticks (my cookbook calls them "fish stick-o-licious") and let me tell you, they were yummy!

Paleo Fish Sticks

18 oz cod or catfish (I used Wild Caught Cod)
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
2 large eggs
1 tbsp olive oil

1. Rinse fish and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut into 3- to 4-inch lengths. Try to make them all the same thickness.
2. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
3. In a medium bowl, combine coconut flour, garlic powder, and black pepper. Place the finely chopped nuts on a small plate and whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until they begin to froth.
4. Coat the fish in the flour mixture and pat to get rid of excess. Dip the floured fish into the egg and then into the chopped nuts. Press the fish into the nuts so they stick well on both sides.
5. Place strips on well-oiled baking sheet (I used coconut oil). Use the olive oil to drizzle on each and bake for about 20 minutes. They'll be golden brown and ready to go.

I served my fish sticks with veggies and they were delicious!  And because the baking sheet I chose was too small to hold all of the fish, I cooked the last 6 fish sticks in coconut oil on the stove.  Both were yummy, although next time I will just choose a bigger baking sheet ;)

Enjoy!

Getting Ready for Pre-school

 In preparation for Ethan's first day of 4 year-old preschool, we went for haircuts on Tuesday.  The kids LOVE Pigtails & Crewcuts!  Between the train table, play room, animal crackers and lollipops, not to mention getting their hair cut in an airplane/fire truck/taxi and picking a prize from the treasure box, they are pretty much in heaven.
 

Ethan Michael

Audrey Catherine (We actually have this exact kitchen set at home, minus the cute little oven mit...we may have to get her one...so cute!)

Audrey did not actually get her hair cut, but she was still allowed to sit in the fire truck--that made her one happy little girl!

Wednesday was Ethan's preschool "open house."  We went for about an hour to play and to say hello to his teachers, Ms. Jen & Ms. Krista.  They taught his class last year as well, so he was very excited to go back.

Ethan

Miss Audrey was also excited to be there.  Last year, when she was only a year old, she already wanted to stay when we dropped Ethan off at school.  Since it was "open house" she was able to play too!

Audrey bathing her baby in the sink--she is my natural born nurturer.  I love it!  I'm not sure that she can see the baby, since she doesn't like for me to put her hair up, but she loved every minute and didn't want to leave.

 Preschool starts on the 5th and I am excited for Ethan because I know he will love it!  My little boy is growing up so fast!