I tried the rice pudding again with some leftover rice from dinner a few nights ago. The rice measured a barely a cup and a half cooked, but I used all other ingredients as measured. It turned out much creamier this time and much closer to good ol' Uncle Ben's. I forgot to add the raisins which was disappointing, but that's just mentioned because I forgot. Also, the recipe says to pour the liquid over the rice, but I suggest mixing it too because I got a nice custard type overlay and then just plain rice on the bottom. Once I stirred it all up it was fine, but it might have cooked more flavor into the rice if I'd mixed it up before baking. Finally, I set the timer for only one hour so I could check it every few minutes after, but I was busy putting Sophia to bed and Zoë pulled the pudding out of the oven when the timer went off. Turns out one hour was the right amount of time and everything turned out pretty yummy.
I have a bunch of recipes to post, but I'm too tired to post them tonight. Now that school has started I'm barely finding time to do anything that isn't completely revolved around studying. Trying to finish my classes three weeks early is challenging and requires my complete and utter attention. Sometimes I look at school and wonder what I'm doing this for. The school keeps preaching about the importance to future employers of involvement in school activities, but how do I find time? Between school work, housework, kids, husband, any kind of social life (it's very slim right now), and just having a moment to breathe... well, I already have to give up sleeping, eating, and bathing. I suppose I could quit going to the bathroom and that would free up some time to engage in club activities, but at some point I just have to release the (excuse me here) crap. I hope future potential employers will appreciate my endurance and see my "extra-curricular activities" as valuable despite their obvious lack of academic prestige.
I'm now at 24 weeks and the baby is moving quite a bit now. He rolls and kicks. I find it funny that I can press on my belly two times and he kicks two times or I can press three times and he kicks three times. Only once has he missed. I'm not sure if this is a sign of his inevitable genius IQ or if this is copycat behavior with no real thought. It's hard not to wonder what a baby thinks about in there. They surely have thoughts, but no reference as to what to think about. I imagine he's thinking, "I need more room in here." Of course, I also imagine he's a 10 pound baby that is 4 feet tall already.
Maternity clothes still disappoint me. I was looking at Old Navy maternity the other day and noticed that all of the tops make the women's breasts look saggy and gross. What's up with that? And while I haevn't bought much (thank you Erin and Ana) I finally broke down and bought a few things that were more... my style. The jeans, however, while completely cute cut into the middle of my belly and are super uncomfortable. I can't decide if I should take them back or not. I was very excited that Forever21 has a maternity line until I saw what they had. Where are the funky, fun clothes they usually carry? I need someone to write to about this. Someone that can design a line worth wearing and still affordable. I found a cute pattern book on etsy.com in Amy Japan's store, but I can't find it now. Maybe it's gone. It had some really nice patterns and if I could sew as well as I wish I could I would have bought the book and whipped up some interesting and fun things. For now, I'll just settle with complaining about my lack of selection and wear my hand-me-downs.
I'm off to bed. It's been a long weekend and I have a long week ahead of me. Good night! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............
August 29, 2011
August 15, 2011
Mmmm.... Chicken Salad
I was never a fan of chicken salad until I got pregnant in 2004. I fell in love with McAllister's chicken salad during my short-lived pregnancy. My love was rekindled at a friend's house last summer. But she couldn't remember the recipe so I started a search for a recipe that had all of the ingredients I wanted. It turned out I had to just put a lot of recipes together until I found a taste I liked. I've had confirmation by a friend as well as by the husband that this recipe is tasty so I'm sharing.
Beware: there are absolutely no "measurements" here. It's really mostly just throwing a bunch of stuff in a bowl until it's just right. Also note that in my pictures I used the food processor. I usually hand chop everything, but I actually liked it better in the food processor because it tasted more blended and smooth, not so chunky. I like to eat this spread on Ritz crackers, but it's also good on bread or toast or however you like to eat your chicken salad.
2 Good sized chicken breasts
3 Celery stalks
1/2 yellow onion
1 Granny Smith Apple
A handful of raisins
A glob (yes, that's the technical term) of mayonaise
Salt and Pepper to taste
Boil chicken breasts until they're done
Trim celery and wash
Cut the core out of the apple and peel
Throw chicken, celery, onion, and apple into food processor
OR chop celery, onion, and apple until pretty small pieces and shred chicken
Add raisins and mayonaise
Serve in your favorite way. Like I said, my favorite way is spread on Ritz crackers in blobs (yes, another technical term). It's definitely better on crackers when it's more spreadable, but the chunkier style is good as a sandwich. YummmmmmY!
Beware: there are absolutely no "measurements" here. It's really mostly just throwing a bunch of stuff in a bowl until it's just right. Also note that in my pictures I used the food processor. I usually hand chop everything, but I actually liked it better in the food processor because it tasted more blended and smooth, not so chunky. I like to eat this spread on Ritz crackers, but it's also good on bread or toast or however you like to eat your chicken salad.
2 Good sized chicken breasts
3 Celery stalks
1/2 yellow onion
1 Granny Smith Apple
A handful of raisins
A glob (yes, that's the technical term) of mayonaise
Salt and Pepper to taste
Boil chicken breasts until they're done
OR chop celery, onion, and apple until pretty small pieces and shred chicken
Add raisins and mayonaise
August 14, 2011
The Fresh Market
I LOVE the Fresh Market. Sure, it's generally overpriced on some of the basic staples- although a lot of the "staples" there are organic and/or special in some way. And yes, I'd rather hit the local Farmer's Market for vegetables and fruits. Fortunately, Raleigh has an amazing Farmer's Market. But the Fresh Market is a chain grocery store that offers that little something special.
It's not really the food, or the prices, or the specialized selection that appeals to me. It's the atmosphere. There's always some kind of quiet music playing in the background- probably classical, but I can't say for sure. The smells of fresh flowers intermingled with coffee and fresh baked goods all swim in my senses. The lower lighting makes everything look and feel softer. The displays are very neat and personalized. Everything adds up to exactly how I wish my house looked, felt, smelled, sounded. It doesn't, but I can dream, right?
The Fresh Market seems to cater to older, wealthier clientele or more gourmet shoppers than I am. I found a beautiful aged Ghouda there that I hadn't been able to find in any of the local chains (i.e. Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter). And they have this wonderful meal deal that for $13.99 you can get a rotisserie chicken, corn bread, and two baked sides (we usually go with mashed potatoes and macaroni). It's all fresh baked/cooked foods in their deli department. For that price, it's a great meal and even the four of us can usually get two meals out of it. I often throw in some fresh green beans or peas just to color the meal up.
My favorite thing at the Fresh Market, besides the atmosphere is their spice selections. Here is where you can actually get a great deal. For $1.19 you can get a little empty spice jar. Then for nearly half the price of your normal grocery chains you can get your spices in little plastic bags marked with the type of spice and the expiration date. I bought 6 or 7 spices at Kroger- a few Kroger brand and a few McCormicks if Kroger brand wasn't available. Only one spice was cheaper at Kroger and it was on sale and only cheaper by a few cents than the Fresh Market. These included paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and ground cumin (all staples in my house). The jars, of course, are reusable so I break out my label maker... well, I don't actually have a label maker so I break out my post-its and packing tape.... and label each jar. Plus, this is awesome for creating your blends like the fajita blend I made.
I still frequent the local chains because let's face it, I'm can't afford every meal from the Fresh Market, but for any of those special meals or any time I want a spice or just when I need a short little get-away from the kids I'll take a quick "vacation" to the Fresh Market and usually come out feeling happy I did.
It's not really the food, or the prices, or the specialized selection that appeals to me. It's the atmosphere. There's always some kind of quiet music playing in the background- probably classical, but I can't say for sure. The smells of fresh flowers intermingled with coffee and fresh baked goods all swim in my senses. The lower lighting makes everything look and feel softer. The displays are very neat and personalized. Everything adds up to exactly how I wish my house looked, felt, smelled, sounded. It doesn't, but I can dream, right?
The Fresh Market seems to cater to older, wealthier clientele or more gourmet shoppers than I am. I found a beautiful aged Ghouda there that I hadn't been able to find in any of the local chains (i.e. Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter). And they have this wonderful meal deal that for $13.99 you can get a rotisserie chicken, corn bread, and two baked sides (we usually go with mashed potatoes and macaroni). It's all fresh baked/cooked foods in their deli department. For that price, it's a great meal and even the four of us can usually get two meals out of it. I often throw in some fresh green beans or peas just to color the meal up.
My favorite thing at the Fresh Market, besides the atmosphere is their spice selections. Here is where you can actually get a great deal. For $1.19 you can get a little empty spice jar. Then for nearly half the price of your normal grocery chains you can get your spices in little plastic bags marked with the type of spice and the expiration date. I bought 6 or 7 spices at Kroger- a few Kroger brand and a few McCormicks if Kroger brand wasn't available. Only one spice was cheaper at Kroger and it was on sale and only cheaper by a few cents than the Fresh Market. These included paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and ground cumin (all staples in my house). The jars, of course, are reusable so I break out my label maker... well, I don't actually have a label maker so I break out my post-its and packing tape.... and label each jar. Plus, this is awesome for creating your blends like the fajita blend I made.
I still frequent the local chains because let's face it, I'm can't afford every meal from the Fresh Market, but for any of those special meals or any time I want a spice or just when I need a short little get-away from the kids I'll take a quick "vacation" to the Fresh Market and usually come out feeling happy I did.
July 18, 2011
Favorite Books
The other night I went to a cookout at a friend's house who is the proud mommy of a beautiful 6 month old baby girl. While I was there she asked me about finding children's books and I promised her a list of some of mine and Sophia's favorites. The thing about making this list is that I am a book collector. I have well over 500 books for Sophia. They are piled on book shelves, in the floor, in drawers. And I don't stop buying them. If I see a good book I buy it (assuming the price is reasonable). I like to buy books from yard sales and used book stores, but I'll rarely pay more than a dollar or two depending on the book.
I loved being a member of the Chilren's Book of the Month club. Yes, it's a mail order book club, but they don't randomly mail books out to you and charge your credit card and over all you get some great books at half or lower than retail. Here's a link: http://www.cbomc.com/ I got some great books and spent maybe $150 total. Of course I paid more than a dollar or two, but some of the books I got retail for up to $12.
Being a native Tennessee- Sophia was born in Knoxville- we also belong to the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library which is an awesome program. I hope when I have extra money to give I can give to this program because it's been wonderful for us. A book every month of Sophia's life until she's 5!!!! I think it's only for Tennessee residents, but other states should follow suit if they don't have a program like this. THANK YOU DOLLY PARTON!!!! Here's a link to the Imagination Library if you're not already signed up: http://imaginationlibrary.com/. I'm hoping to sign up the new baby when he's born.
I have to give credit to Chick Fil A for their contribution to our book collection including the Laura Numeroff collection. Sophia has mostly grown out of the "under 3 board books" but they have been great additions and quick easy reads for her.
Ok. List of books we love. I might have to come in and edit this adding titles, author info or whatnot. Post any questions you have on anything I post and I'll answer with any details you need.
For the Toddler:
Any of the "Spot" books are great for toddlers. They usually tear them up, but they're well-worth the expense.
"Biscuit" books are less intelligible, but kids seem to enjoy them.
Sandra Boynton books are great fun to read. We like:
Pajama Time
What's Wrong Little Pookie
Blue Hat, Green Hat (which guarantees giggles with every "Oops")
Doggies
The Belly Button Book (we don't own this one, but have read it many times)
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier (honestly, this one is more for the parents than the kids)
For the older toddler/preschooler:
We all know Dr. Suess books are fabulous. But not all Dr. Suess are equal. These are the ones Sophia loved:
The Foot Book
Green Eggs and Ham
The Eye Book
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
Fox in Socks (fun for parents too- challenge your significant other to read it as fast as he/she can)
My Many Colored Days
Some PD Eastman books from the Dr. Suess collection:
Are you My Mother?
Ten Apples Up on Top
Berenstain Bears Books:
The B Book
On The Moon
Any of the Berenstain Bears books are great books. The character of them is that Stan and Jan Berenstain wrote the books for their kids and you can buy the books in sets to grow with your child's reading attention and ability.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a must to any library. It's another parent's book
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (I suggest the individual books because the all-in-one collection is hard to hold with a child snuggled in your lap.)
Momma Will You by Dori Chaconas
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (an absolute must-have)
Curious George by H.A. Rey (It's a bit old fashioned, but the kids don't seem to notice.)
Every child should have one "Classical Fairy Tales" book. It's not necessarily important which one as long as it covers the classics (Three Bears*, Three Little Pigs, Tom Thumb, Hansel and Gretel)
*I got a great Goldilocks and The Three Bears book adapted by Jan Brett from the Imagination Library. Her illustrations are phenomenal and worth buying it separate.
Jane O' Connor has created the best girlie books ever- Fancy Nancy. If you have a little girl, get these books. Beware of the actual Jane O' Connor books and the "adapted from" books. I noticed a difference enough to bother me although Sophia didn't seem to mind. We like:
Fancy Nancy
Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly
Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas
We have Fancy Nancy Exporer Extraoridnaire, but I find this book tedious to read and maybe would be better when your child can read it herself.
Olivia books are great for little girls too. We have the original Olivia as well as Olivia's Christmas.
Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann is a good girlie book. If you get the series (which I recommend) beware of Purplicious because it's very... dramatic. My drama queen picked up on all of the extreme drama.
Laura Numeroff books are wonderful:
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
If You Give a Pig a Party
If You Take a Mouse to School
etc. They're all pretty fun to read and I think help kids see the cycle of thinking and interrelatedness.
Another amazing children's author is Doreen Cronin. I haven't found a book of hers that wasn't great. Her books have that great humor that appeals to kids AND parents.
Click Clack Moo
Duck For President
Mo Willems has the monopoly on dual humor
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Knuffle Bunny (We don't own this book, but have read it many times.)
If you at all celebrate Christmas (religious or not) you must own "Twas The Night Before Christmas". Be sure to look at the illustrations because the story is so common, but the illustrations can really *make* the story.
Other non-religious Chirstmas books to own:
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (get the book before the movie)
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
A book we own now, but I wish we'd owned when Sophia was little is The Big Book of Farmyard Tales by Heather Amery. It's a great book to read and has some starter reading potential.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (although it can be scary for little kids at that nightmare age)
Corduroy by Don Freeman (I've seen there are other Courduroy books, but I haven't read any of them so I can't comment. The original is just wonderful though.)
Beatrix Potter books are fun to read. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one we enjoy as well as Jemima Puddle Duck.
I think every kid should have a book of Mother Goose, but again, the illustrations can make or break the book. I recommend the Mary Engelbreit version. Her illustrations are colorful and interesting. The Real Mother Goose by Blanch Fisher is BORING and DULL and I ended up getting rid of our copy.
If you're interested in Bible stories, children's Bibles are the scariest! I asked around and somehow ended up with three copies now of The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories. The illustrations are cute and it covers all of the stories kids should know.
This list is hardly complete, not to mention the fact that I keep adding to our collection as fast as I can and they keep writing awesome books. Plus, Sophia is learning to read faster than the bullet train so we're having to add more and more "grown up" books. In any case, this list should get anyone started with their collection.
I loved being a member of the Chilren's Book of the Month club. Yes, it's a mail order book club, but they don't randomly mail books out to you and charge your credit card and over all you get some great books at half or lower than retail. Here's a link: http://www.cbomc.com/ I got some great books and spent maybe $150 total. Of course I paid more than a dollar or two, but some of the books I got retail for up to $12.
Being a native Tennessee- Sophia was born in Knoxville- we also belong to the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library which is an awesome program. I hope when I have extra money to give I can give to this program because it's been wonderful for us. A book every month of Sophia's life until she's 5!!!! I think it's only for Tennessee residents, but other states should follow suit if they don't have a program like this. THANK YOU DOLLY PARTON!!!! Here's a link to the Imagination Library if you're not already signed up: http://imaginationlibrary.com/. I'm hoping to sign up the new baby when he's born.
I have to give credit to Chick Fil A for their contribution to our book collection including the Laura Numeroff collection. Sophia has mostly grown out of the "under 3 board books" but they have been great additions and quick easy reads for her.
Ok. List of books we love. I might have to come in and edit this adding titles, author info or whatnot. Post any questions you have on anything I post and I'll answer with any details you need.
For the Toddler:
Any of the "Spot" books are great for toddlers. They usually tear them up, but they're well-worth the expense.
"Biscuit" books are less intelligible, but kids seem to enjoy them.
Sandra Boynton books are great fun to read. We like:
Pajama Time
What's Wrong Little Pookie
Blue Hat, Green Hat (which guarantees giggles with every "Oops")
Doggies
The Belly Button Book (we don't own this one, but have read it many times)
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier (honestly, this one is more for the parents than the kids)
For the older toddler/preschooler:
We all know Dr. Suess books are fabulous. But not all Dr. Suess are equal. These are the ones Sophia loved:
The Foot Book
Green Eggs and Ham
The Eye Book
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
Fox in Socks (fun for parents too- challenge your significant other to read it as fast as he/she can)
My Many Colored Days
Some PD Eastman books from the Dr. Suess collection:
Are you My Mother?
Ten Apples Up on Top
Berenstain Bears Books:
The B Book
On The Moon
Any of the Berenstain Bears books are great books. The character of them is that Stan and Jan Berenstain wrote the books for their kids and you can buy the books in sets to grow with your child's reading attention and ability.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a must to any library. It's another parent's book
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (I suggest the individual books because the all-in-one collection is hard to hold with a child snuggled in your lap.)
Momma Will You by Dori Chaconas
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (an absolute must-have)
Curious George by H.A. Rey (It's a bit old fashioned, but the kids don't seem to notice.)
Every child should have one "Classical Fairy Tales" book. It's not necessarily important which one as long as it covers the classics (Three Bears*, Three Little Pigs, Tom Thumb, Hansel and Gretel)
*I got a great Goldilocks and The Three Bears book adapted by Jan Brett from the Imagination Library. Her illustrations are phenomenal and worth buying it separate.
Jane O' Connor has created the best girlie books ever- Fancy Nancy. If you have a little girl, get these books. Beware of the actual Jane O' Connor books and the "adapted from" books. I noticed a difference enough to bother me although Sophia didn't seem to mind. We like:
Fancy Nancy
Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly
Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas
We have Fancy Nancy Exporer Extraoridnaire, but I find this book tedious to read and maybe would be better when your child can read it herself.
Olivia books are great for little girls too. We have the original Olivia as well as Olivia's Christmas.
Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann is a good girlie book. If you get the series (which I recommend) beware of Purplicious because it's very... dramatic. My drama queen picked up on all of the extreme drama.
Laura Numeroff books are wonderful:
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
If You Give a Pig a Party
If You Take a Mouse to School
etc. They're all pretty fun to read and I think help kids see the cycle of thinking and interrelatedness.
Another amazing children's author is Doreen Cronin. I haven't found a book of hers that wasn't great. Her books have that great humor that appeals to kids AND parents.
Click Clack Moo
Duck For President
Mo Willems has the monopoly on dual humor
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Knuffle Bunny (We don't own this book, but have read it many times.)
If you at all celebrate Christmas (religious or not) you must own "Twas The Night Before Christmas". Be sure to look at the illustrations because the story is so common, but the illustrations can really *make* the story.
Other non-religious Chirstmas books to own:
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (get the book before the movie)
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
A book we own now, but I wish we'd owned when Sophia was little is The Big Book of Farmyard Tales by Heather Amery. It's a great book to read and has some starter reading potential.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (although it can be scary for little kids at that nightmare age)
Corduroy by Don Freeman (I've seen there are other Courduroy books, but I haven't read any of them so I can't comment. The original is just wonderful though.)
Beatrix Potter books are fun to read. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one we enjoy as well as Jemima Puddle Duck.
I think every kid should have a book of Mother Goose, but again, the illustrations can make or break the book. I recommend the Mary Engelbreit version. Her illustrations are colorful and interesting. The Real Mother Goose by Blanch Fisher is BORING and DULL and I ended up getting rid of our copy.
If you're interested in Bible stories, children's Bibles are the scariest! I asked around and somehow ended up with three copies now of The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories. The illustrations are cute and it covers all of the stories kids should know.
This list is hardly complete, not to mention the fact that I keep adding to our collection as fast as I can and they keep writing awesome books. Plus, Sophia is learning to read faster than the bullet train so we're having to add more and more "grown up" books. In any case, this list should get anyone started with their collection.
July 13, 2011
Homemade Waffles anyone?
I used to buy Bisquick. It's easy, it's quick, it's a box. But once I ran out and I wanted waffles and I had no money to run to the store and grab a box of Bisquick. So, I made some from scratch. Yes, ladies and gentleman, from scratch. It sounds waaaaay harder than it is. It's actually extremely simple and you could even make a big batch of the dry ingredients and save it in tupperware for later use.
Here it is for you waffle-y yum-ness. Note: I have pictures in this post. I've added pictures to a few other older posts in case you really want to see my masterwork for yourself.
Wonderful Waffles
3T unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
2T sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
I just throw it all in a bowl
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Then put it on my favorite waffle iron from Williams Sonoma using a ladel
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I usually keep my iron on about 4 or medium to get the best waffles. Too high and they're too cripy and kinda dry, too low and they aren't done. Perfectly golden is what you're looking for.
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They really aren't that bad for you I suppose until you add the butter and syrup (which I always do), but if you want to add a little health and/or just make breakfast taste extra special, serve with some fresh cut strawberries and milk. I made this beautiful breakfast for Sophia and me.
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Alton Brown once said you can freeze homemade waffles for L'eggo my Eggo type waffles you can pop in the toaster. I haven't tried this, but I do put them in the fridge. We try to eat them within the week and I usually toast mine lightly to bring back some of the "crunch" they lose. This is so simple I haven't bought Bisquick since. Shhh... don't tell Bisquick.
Here it is for you waffle-y yum-ness. Note: I have pictures in this post. I've added pictures to a few other older posts in case you really want to see my masterwork for yourself.
Wonderful Waffles
3T unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
2T sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
I just throw it all in a bowl
June 21, 2011
Silly Contests and Shameful plug
She's so cute. And I have soooo many followers and readers (haha) but in case someone is out there, maybe they'll see this and vote... often.
http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/399502
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http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/399502
June 16, 2011
Vacation Bible School
Ok. First, I'll take responsibility for my failure. I should have started looking into it weeks ago rather than waiting last minute. And there's no reason I waited. Lazy I guess. (I did the same thing with swim lessons and we missed them this summer.)
But ya know what? So what if I'm late? Shouldn't every child get a chance to participate? They have a waiting list, but said it was unlikely the waitlist kids would be called. Isn't it a church's responsibility to give every child a chance? Isn't vacation Bible school teaching Jesus's lessons? Did Jesus turn people away? Ever? Maybe I misread or misremember the Bible, but I thought Jesus always said to let them come. He never turned people away. And especially not children.
The Church's reasons? They've already purchased and prepared the crafts. If I'd called 10 days ago they would have made sure she got in. What? Seriously? They're going to charge me $50 to participate and can't take my $50 and go buy the necessary crafts tomorrow? Heck... I'll go buy them. And I offered to volunteer. My one child for help with 5 others? Isn't that a win-win?
And if VBS is too full, why not open it up for another week? Let the kids that didn't get a chance to sign up- sign up. Does it really take that much more resources? Especially when you're working with $50 per child and your expenses are...? There's no paid employees (and if there are- that's a problem there. What happened to stewardship?). Ok, you have to pay utilities for a building you already keep running whether you have something going on or not. And there are all of those supplies that I'm sure costs... how much per child?
I think angry isn't really the word. Disappointed. I'm disappointed in my church that (if you've read my past posts) doesn't offer me any accountability for attendance, hasn't really given me any real reason to participate (or reasonable way), doesn't make me feel any more connected to God. I'm disappointed that my church would ever turn away my child, or any child for that matter. "Don't worry Sophia. You can learn about God... next year... if Mommy gets signed up in time." Yeah. There's a good Bible lesson.
But ya know what? So what if I'm late? Shouldn't every child get a chance to participate? They have a waiting list, but said it was unlikely the waitlist kids would be called. Isn't it a church's responsibility to give every child a chance? Isn't vacation Bible school teaching Jesus's lessons? Did Jesus turn people away? Ever? Maybe I misread or misremember the Bible, but I thought Jesus always said to let them come. He never turned people away. And especially not children.
The Church's reasons? They've already purchased and prepared the crafts. If I'd called 10 days ago they would have made sure she got in. What? Seriously? They're going to charge me $50 to participate and can't take my $50 and go buy the necessary crafts tomorrow? Heck... I'll go buy them. And I offered to volunteer. My one child for help with 5 others? Isn't that a win-win?
And if VBS is too full, why not open it up for another week? Let the kids that didn't get a chance to sign up- sign up. Does it really take that much more resources? Especially when you're working with $50 per child and your expenses are...? There's no paid employees (and if there are- that's a problem there. What happened to stewardship?). Ok, you have to pay utilities for a building you already keep running whether you have something going on or not. And there are all of those supplies that I'm sure costs... how much per child?
I think angry isn't really the word. Disappointed. I'm disappointed in my church that (if you've read my past posts) doesn't offer me any accountability for attendance, hasn't really given me any real reason to participate (or reasonable way), doesn't make me feel any more connected to God. I'm disappointed that my church would ever turn away my child, or any child for that matter. "Don't worry Sophia. You can learn about God... next year... if Mommy gets signed up in time." Yeah. There's a good Bible lesson.
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