out of the shell

During a town hall meeting at our kid's school the other week, a parent balked at how much "love" and attention the kids were expressing towards each other in the classroom...particularly some of the girls towards the boys, and the school should have much stricter policies that would eradicate emotional expression and focus more on academics.

I know as a parent of an expressive child who's genuinely kind to everyone, I understand the need to guide and protect our children from the backlash of showing "too much love", as it may be distracting or misinterpreted.  Although there is a fine line between innocent and inappropriate adoration, suppressing the freedom of expression, especially positive expression in our children, is NOT the answer.  It would rob our children of the innocence that childhood brings...the untainted, unbounded generosity and kindness in humanity that we now as adults fight so hard to hold on to.

If children aren't allowed to embrace and accept each other within the safe environment of the classroom, how can we expect them to learn how to embrace others outside of it?

The school had a hot dog lunch fundraiser to help one hundred families displaced after a tragic fire. That morning as I was rushing out the door to drive to school, our daughter was carefully (and slowly) preparing her glass jar (with pretty bow to boot), not counting her money, but making sure all of her recently earned allowance went into the jar, to give more than just her lunch money, to those who lost their homes.

We were late for school but this time I wasn't upset, because my kids reminded me what really mattered...not rushing to be punctual, but deliberately slowing down to ensure that glass jar made it to school in one piece.  In the car ride, I could hear my son quietly talk about the jar, and how proud he was of his little sister.  With his extra money for snacks, my son added a bit more into the jar. For a sweet moment, they both sat patiently during the ride, as if they were about to deliver something precious. Participating in charities have certainly taught them to empathize with others and they truly feel accomplished when they help those in need (as mentioned in my last post, here).

Since this is the last day of school before the summer break, the grade I give their school isn't going to be solely judged based on an academic numeric mark on my kid's final report card.  After seeing how beautifully generous my children are, accepted in a loving and caring environment amongst good, upstanding friends, I think they've learned much more valuable lessons than any grade can reflect...striving for excellence, intelligence, kindness, thoughtfulness and the confidence to come out of their shells and onto the path to becoming strong leaders.

Simple Baked Scallops

(makes 4-6 servings)

Ingredients

• 8 large scallops rinsed and patted dry on paper kitchen towels
• 1 tbsp cubed butter (approx. ¼ tsp. on top of each)
• 2 garlic cloves peeled andsliced thinly (one thin slice on top of each)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

• Preheat the oven at 400°C (392°F) 
• In a cast iron skillet, coat the bottom with the olive oil.
• Arrange scallops one layer.
• Place one pat of butter (approx. ¼ tsp) on top of each scallop.
• Slice garlic clove and place one slice on top of each scallop.
• Bake for 20 minutes (depending on the thickness of your scallops), flipping the scallops at the half-way mark ensuring each side is browned.

Serve & Enjoy!

learning begins

As school starts to wind down, I start to pack away some of the papers that came home.  The purging of the classrooms began last week, and all of the hard work and effort, reflected on painted paper, typed projects and old tests, have started to make it's way into our memory files.

I had an interesting conversation with my husband about all the grandiose ideas of avoiding brain drain this summer, and keeping up my children's reading, writing and arithmetic during the time off.  He smiled in agreeance but I knew in that smile, that he thought I was setting myself up for dreams that won't necessarily become reality.

Maybe instead being a "teacher" this summer, this time I'll be the student instead.  Maybe I'll learn and be inspired to enjoy the bewilderment of seeing, smelling, experiencing the freedom of summer through my children's eyes.

My delightful daughter knows that you don't need any reason to dress up as a superhero and wear a tiara at the same time.  That every day is a day to become a superhero in your heart, to conquer the world, with a tiara, knight's shield, or princess gown in tow.

My inquisitive son knows that sometimes he will do things that test his mother's boundaries (and patience), and he too is exploring the world of adolescence, and trying to build a solid bridge that will connect between his childhood and manhood.  And although he will get frustrated with the limitations that will certainly greet him, he will keep on trying until the act of trying is no longer difficult.

So as school is done for the year, my kids will put away their backpacks and test the world around them.  And while doing this, I guess the real learning for me...begins.

Easy Oven Fries

During the summer, one of the rare treats I love to indulge in, is eating a tray of fries from a "chip truck".  Here's a more healthy, non fried version of those "chip truck" delights.

Ingredients

• 2 large baking or russet potatoes, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves

Directions

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Cut the potatoes in half horizontally, then cut into strips, approximately 1/3-inch-thick 
• Place the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for approximately 10 minutes.
• Remove from water and dry thoroughly. 
• Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and rosemary. 
• Place fries on cast iron skillet.  (a cookie sheet works well too).
• Roast until browned and cooked through, turning occasionally, approximately 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy.