It was late start day at school this morning, so I made applesauce and pancakes for breakfast. Fresh, delicious apples are well-stocked at all of our local produce spots, so we have plenty of yummy autumn snacks around here. This was such a hit and so easy I could probably pull it off on a regular day's schedule. In any case, I figured somebody else might appreciate the recipe (adapted from a handout at our grocery store).
Apple Sauce
2-3 lbs apples (about 5-6)
1/2 C water
several shakes of cinnamon (and/or other appropriate spices)
Wash and cut the apples into chunks (no need to peel).
Combine apples & water in a sauce pan.
Cook, covered, until apples are soft (about 20 minutes or so for us).
Pour apples & liquid into a food processor and puree to desired consistency. The original recipe recommended leaving it chunky, but baby Obi likes it a little smoother, so that's how we roll.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
three seconds
This evening, I suggested that Obi-2 have more water after dinner. I commented that I noticed he really didn't drink much water at lunch each school day. (I knew this because his water bottle, attached to his lunch box, rarely bares signs of use.) Obi-2 replied that he does too drink water - in fact, he drinks all three seconds at the water fountain.
All three seconds? What in the world did he mean?
Turns out, the children at our elementary school line up for water breaks twice each day. Each child gets a chance to have a drink of water at the fountain. When it is his turn, the children behind him chant "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand, go!" Then, the turn is over, and the next child gets the same chant, the same three-second opportunity at the fountain, and the whole thing continues.
I was incredulous at this story, but Obi-2 seemed matter-of-fact. I turned to Obi-1, who affirmed that this is their system. Neither boy seemed to have a second thought about it. I needed clarification. What, I asked, if they were still thirsty after three seconds? They go back to the end of the line. Obi-1 said that once, the drinking fountain wasn't working very well, and he barely got a drink during his three seconds. He had to go to the back of the line several times before he had really gotten a drink. Usually, however, they only get one turn.
Grown ups in the room: think about this for one moment. When you're thirsty, what do you do? When you're at your office, or in your living room, and another person takes a drink, do you count out loud, then expect them to stop after an arbitrary few seconds? What is possibly the logic behind three seconds for a drink? Is this the answer to the challenges of diversity in urban classrooms - giving everyone equal access to the water fountain? Good grief. It's not prison - it's kindergarten!
Sorry for the sudden outburst and lack of optimism. I just had to share the latest moment from our dinner table conversation. Moreover, I'm thirsty. So start your stopwatch - I'm headed for a drink.
All three seconds? What in the world did he mean?
Turns out, the children at our elementary school line up for water breaks twice each day. Each child gets a chance to have a drink of water at the fountain. When it is his turn, the children behind him chant "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand, go!" Then, the turn is over, and the next child gets the same chant, the same three-second opportunity at the fountain, and the whole thing continues.
I was incredulous at this story, but Obi-2 seemed matter-of-fact. I turned to Obi-1, who affirmed that this is their system. Neither boy seemed to have a second thought about it. I needed clarification. What, I asked, if they were still thirsty after three seconds? They go back to the end of the line. Obi-1 said that once, the drinking fountain wasn't working very well, and he barely got a drink during his three seconds. He had to go to the back of the line several times before he had really gotten a drink. Usually, however, they only get one turn.
Grown ups in the room: think about this for one moment. When you're thirsty, what do you do? When you're at your office, or in your living room, and another person takes a drink, do you count out loud, then expect them to stop after an arbitrary few seconds? What is possibly the logic behind three seconds for a drink? Is this the answer to the challenges of diversity in urban classrooms - giving everyone equal access to the water fountain? Good grief. It's not prison - it's kindergarten!
Sorry for the sudden outburst and lack of optimism. I just had to share the latest moment from our dinner table conversation. Moreover, I'm thirsty. So start your stopwatch - I'm headed for a drink.
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