Time To Come In Bear Read Aloud

Hello my preschool friends! I hope you’re all doing well and are staying safe at home. I have another story for you that I know you will enjoy. It’s titled Time To Come In Bear and written by Kim St. Lawrence.

Just click on the link below to watch and listen.

Continue to take care of yourself and remember to continue to stay inside and have fun with your family.

Mrs. Dawson 

Why Can’t I Go To School? — Read-Aloud

Good Morning to my preschool families. I hope this note finds you all doing well and enjoying your time with your child/children. 

I have attached a read-aloud for you to share with your child during this transition from school to home. I hope he/she enjoys it. There’s a link at the bottom of this page if you would like a copy of this story to help your child understand what’s happening in our world right now.

                                                    

                                                           Why Can’t I Go to School?

                                                                                                                
I will use this platform to add instructional materials that may be of interest to you to make time at home as rewarding as if they were in school.

If you would like to contact me, please use the email address listed below. Have a wonderful day and stay positive.

Mrs. Dawson
Rdawson@tps.org

Preschool Name Labels

One of the most Important things we can do when setting up our classroom is to make sure everything is labeled. It means so much to my students when they arrive to school and see their names on their cubbies, coat rack, chairs, as well as personal items. I wanted this set of labels to be bright and easy for the children to notice. 

I’m placing them in various areas around my classroom. As you can see, I have already added them to their coat rack. When they start their first day of school this is what they will see. 

It is so important that preschoolers begin to recognize their names as the school year begins, so this is a good way to capture their attention. During the first week of school, I will add their photo to the label as well.

You can get your free printable HERE.

Rolisweets 

Preschool Change of Clothing Flyer

                                                                                                
The beginning of a new school year is almost upon us and there’s always so much to be done to get started! I have begun preparing my back-to-school parent materials and my change of clothes flyer is just one of the many flyers I will be sending home.

This particular flyer has saved me so much time with parents. I usually place this sheet inside of a gallon size ziplock bag (any brand will do) and send it home with my parents, usually during open house.

I have used this method for the last two years and the parents enjoy the convenience of the ziplock bag along with the reminder flyer. The gallon size bag is just the right size to hold their extra set of clothes and they tuck neatly into my coat cubbies. My students are always excited that they can find their own clothes with their name clearly written on the bag. There coat rack has been labeled with their names so that they will know which set of clothing belongs to them. I used my name LABELS to label each cubbie. 

You can use any gallon size ziplock bag, however, I’ve found that freezer bags work best, as they last longer and tend to be more sturdy. I make many of my teacher supply purchases  online. You can find this three pack on amazon.

I hope this helps to make the start of your school year a little easier!

You can find a free copy of the flyer by clicking here.

©Rolisweets

Light Chicken Salad

Light Chicken Salad, it's what's for lunch today! You can enjoy this with your favorite bread or alone as a salad.

Ingredients

• 3-4 cooked boneless skinless chicken breast (cubed or broken into small pieces)
• 1 cup of shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup of light Mayonaise
• 1/2 cup of slivered raw almonds
• 1/4 cup of sliced green onions
• 2 Tbsp of dried cranberries
• 1/2 tsp of black pepper
• 1/2 tsp of Emeril's Original Essence

Directions
Combine all ingredients together and chill in the refrigerator for one hour. Enjoy! Makes 6 servings.

©Rolisweets

Chocolate Banana Shake

This chocolate banana shake is made with just four ingredients. The most amazing part is that frozen almond milk takes the place of ice cream in this dessert. Enjoy this light shake anytime during the day or for dessert. Want one?

Ingredients

• 2 medium size bananas
• 2 Tbsp of cocoa
• 2 cups of almond milk (frozen in an ice tray)
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1/2 tsp of chocolate flavoring (optional)

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until well blended. Enjoy as a dessert or as an afternoon snack. Makes 4 - 6 servings.

©Rolisweets

Banana Cream Parfait

This tastes as good as it looks. Dessert for two...why not share? 

Ingredients

Cookie Crumble

• 2 cups of crushed vanilla wafer cookies
• 1 cup of crushed almonds
• 1/2 stick of butter, melted

Filling

• 1 (4) oz package of instant vanilla pudding,                 
•       prepared by package directions
• 1 (8) oz container of whipped topping
• 3 bananas, sliced
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 4 (8) oz glasses, or 2 (16) oz glasses

Directions

Preheat oven to 400° degrees.

Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside. Combine the crushed vanilla wafer cookies, crushed almonds, and the melted butter until thoroughly mixed. Add the mixture to the prepared cookie sheet. Spread the mixture throughout the entire cookie sheet. Cook the cookie mixture for 10 minutes. The crust should be a golden brown when done. Remove the cookie mixture from the oven, and set it aside to cool (approximately 15 - 20 minutes).

While the crust is cooling, brush the banana slices with a small amount of lemon juice to keep the bananas from turning brown.

When the crust is cool, prepare the parfait by first layering 2 Tbsp of the cookie crumble, 2 Tbsp of whipped topping, 2 Tbsp of vanilla pudding, and the banana slices (approximately 6). Repeat in this order, two more times, or until the glass is full. Chill for one hour. Enjoy! Makes 2 - 4 servings.

©Rolisweets

Orange Banana Parfait

One of my favorite parfaits, and it's full of creamy orange goodness in a glass. What a delicious way to enjoy a light snack anytime of the day. Want some? :)

Ingredients

• 3 bananas, sliced
• 2 (15) oz cans of mandarin oranges, unsweetened
• 1 cup of crushed almonds    
• 1 (8) oz container of whipped topping
• 4 (8) oz glasses

Directions

Begin preparing the parfait by first adding two tablespoons of the crushed almonds to the glasses and then adding four 
mandarin oranges, 2 Tbsp of whipped topping, and four banana slices. Repeat layering in this order, twice more, or until the glass is full. Enjoy immediately, or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Makes 4 servings.

Note: To keep the bananas slices from turning brown,  brush them with a small amount of lemon juice.

©Rolisweets

Power Green Salad with Sweet Roasted Red Peppers

I can't think of a better way to enjoy a sunny spring afternoon than sitting on the patio and sipping a tall glass of water and eating this delicious crisp salad. 

It's made with some of my favorite ingredients and the flavors just melt in your mouth.

Sweet roasted red peppers spice up this salad to make it more than the everyday salad.

Why not make enough to share and have some for lunch the next day?

Ingredients

• 2 cups of power greens mix
• 2 cups of cole slaw mix
• 2 cups of salad lettuce 
• 1 cup finely chopped cucumbers
• 1/3 cup of chopped red onions
• 1 cup of chopped sweet roasted red peppers
• 1/2 cup of shredded or chopped pepperjack cheese
• 1 cup of chopped honey roasted turkey breast, thick sliced
• 1 Large salad bowl

Directions

Begin preparing the salad by adding all the greens, chopped cucumbers, and red onions to a big salad bowl. Toss the salad. Then top the salad with the sweet roasted red peppers, pepperjack cheese, and honey roasted turkey breast.  

Enjoy with your favorite salad dressing or chill the salad until ready to serve! 

Makes 4 - 6 servings

To spice it up a bit, I substitued sweet roasted peppers for Trader Joes Hot and Sweet Cherry Peppers and wow what a spicy treat!

Easy Fruit Parfait

My snack of choice today is light and delicious! It's just as filling as eating a piece of cake, but without the guilt. Mmmmm....

Ingredients

• 1 (16) oz pack of fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 (6-8) oz pack of fresh blackberries
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 (15) oz can of mandarin oranges, unsweetened   
• 1 (8) oz container of light whipped topping
• 4 (8) oz glasses

Directions

Prepare the parfait by first adding 6 slices of mandarin oranges to the glasses and then add two tablespoons of whipped topping, six banana slices, two tablespoons of whipped topping, four blackberries, two tablespoons of whipped topping, and four pieces of sliced strawberries.  

Enjoy immediately, or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Makes 4 servings.

Note: To keep the bananas slices from turning brown,  brush them with a small amount of lemon juice.

©Rolisweets

Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Watermelon strawberry smoothie, it's my snack of choice today! Made with only three ingredients, it's really light on calories and so cool and refreshing! 

                      

There's no need for any juice or liquid in this smoothie as the watermelon juice serves as a sufficient amount to give this smoothie a nice consistency.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cut seedless watermelon
• 1 ripe banana
• 2 cups of frozen strawberries

Directions
Add all ingredients in a blender and mix until all ingredients are well blended. Enjoy! 

Makes four 8-oz servings.

Quick and Easy Peach Crisp

It's been a while since I've put out a new dessert and this is definitely one worth sharing. What a perfect day to enjoy it on! It's easy to prepare and cooks up in less than an hour. :)

Ingredients

• 2 (15) oz cans of sliced peaches in heavy syrup (drained)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup of butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Directions
Preheat oven to 350° degrees and then spray a 13" x 9" pan lightly with cooking oil spray. Remove the peaches from the cans and then place the peaches in the pan. Sprinkle with the ground cinnamon and water.

In a bowl, mix together the sugar and butter until well blended. Add the flour and mix until all ingredients come together (it should be a soft dough-like consistency). Top the apples with the flour mixture as shown. 

Cook for 45 - 50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. 

Enjoy with your favorite whipped topping or ice cream!

Child of Mine Book Review

Child of Mine is a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, spiritual growth, and second chances. It's a story about a mom's search for her daughter whom was kidnapped when she was still a baby. 

Eight years later, Kelly still finds herself in the search for her missing child. In the process, she finds so much more than she ever bargained for. 

Authors David and Beverly Lewis take the reader on a roller coaster ride into the lives of four people who are intertwined in ways that even they aren't immediately aware. 

You will not want to put this book down as you become part of the LIvingston family and their amazing ability to forgive and love. 

Thank you Bethany House Publishing for the opportunity to review a free copy of this book. 

Meant to Be Mine Book Review

Meant to Be Mine was a very compelling story from beginning to end and the title was aptly used. Ty Porter and Celia Park attended the same high school and when they just happened to be in Vegas at the same time, they got together and spent some of the most amazing days of their lives together, not knowing that what took place would change their lives forever. This was definitely a story of "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" as they got married and then lived apart as if it never happened.

Celia was so in love with Ty, however, after Ty realized that marrying Celia was a mistake, he broke her heart and sent her back home a married and lonely woman, claiiming that he was in love with someone else.

After a few years apart Ty revisits Vegas, and, old memories of what happened those many years ago, comes back to him. The memories were so strong that he set out to find Celia once again. After much searching, he finds her and pays her a visit, not accepting the fact that Celia has moved on with her life and is carrying around unforgiveness in her heart towards Ty.

This is a story of love, and in the greater sense, God's love. Both Celia and Ty have to go through a series of life lessons to realize that what God has for each of them is not necessarily what they want for themselves. Mean to be mine is a story filled with adventure, love, friendship, family, and forgiveness. Thank you Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to review this book.

Lemon Crisps

Lemon crisps anyone? A nice thin cookie that can be enjoyed with a warm cup of coffee, or a scoop of ice cream. They taste as good as they look!

This is my first time trying this recipe. I intended to make a thicker cookie, however, the cookies fell flat after I took them out of the oven. Everyone loved them as they were, so I decided not to modify the recipe. The dough is so good, I had to stop the kids from eating it all to make the cookies! They are also very quick to prepare and it only takes 6 minutes to bake them.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 2 sticks of butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of lemon extract
• 1 (4) oz box of instant vanilla pudding mix

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° degrees.

Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside.

In a small bowl, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the butter and sugar. Using a hand blender mix  the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.

Add the eggs and lemon extract. Mix until well blended.

Add the vanilla instant pudding mix and blend until all ingredients are combined.

Add the flour mixture and, using a spoon, stir until the flour is well blended.

Add the cookie dough to the prepared cookie sheet by measuring 1 teaspoonful of the dough and placing each teaspoonful 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.

Bake for 6 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.

Remove the cookies from the oven and cool for five minutes and transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Enjoy!

Makes 48 cookies

Pound Cake with Chocolate Glaze

Pound cake is one of the most amazing cakes ever. I drizzled this one with a little bit of chocolate glaze for the chocolate lovers. Delish!

Ingredients

• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 2 tsp of baking powder
• a pinch of salt
• 2 cups of granulated sugar
• 2 sticks of butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of 2% milk

Chocolate Glaze

• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp of water

Tools

10-inch fluted cake pan

Directions
Preheat oven to 325° degrees.
Grease and lightly flour a the 10 in fluted cak pan and set aside. 

In a medium size bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.

In a large bowl, add the butter and granulated sugar and mix with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to the mixture and mix until well blended. Stir in the milk. Add the flour mixture and stir until the mixture is well blended and smooth. 

Transfer the mixture to the prepared fluted cake pan.

Cook for 1 hour or until a fork inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be a golden brown color.

Remove from the oven and let the cake cool for approximately 30 minutes to an hour, and then transfer to a serving tray or dish. 

While the cake is cooling prepare the chocolate glaze by adding all the ingredients to a small pot. Heat the pot on medium-high heat while continuously stiriing the ingredients. Cook until the mixture is well blended.

When the cake is cool, lightly sprinkle the warm glaze over the top of the cake. Cool completely, and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee, or with your favorite ice cream. 

Yields 10 - 12 servings.