Summertime!

Happy Monday!!  Well it certaintly seems like summer is here (even if technically its still a few weeks away).  We've been spending lots of time out in the yard and have even taken a few trips for ice cream cones (my favorite part of summertime).  To celebrate the (okay, slightly premature) arrival of Summer, the season is our Munchkin Theme for this week.  Here's a list of our funtivities:

Letter of the Week: S
Creative Crafty Sensory Fun:

• S is for Summer alphabet craft
• Making homemade popsicles
• Water & Sand table play
• Sandpaper Sun (idea found here at No Time for Flashcards)
• Lots of outdoor play

Books:

• Summer by Nuria Roca
• Welcome Summer by Jill Ackerman
• Beach Bugs by David A. Carter
• Mouse's First Summer by Lauren Thompson
• Katie Discovers Summer by Liesbet Slegers
• The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
• Hooray for Summer! by Kazuo Iwamura

Sunday Joy List

Belgian Waffles

Happy Friday!!  Saturdays at my house usually mean something fun for breakfast.  And that something fun is often Belgian waffles.  The batter is oh-so-easy and endlessly customizable.  And leftover waffles freeze beautifully - just throw them in the toaster just like the ones from the store.  I think they're sweet enough without syrup (especially if you add some fruit to the batter), although I'm pretty sure the Munchkin would use it if he could :)

My Favorite Waffle Batter

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar
2. Preheat waffle iron to medium-high
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs
4. Stir in milk, melted butter and vanilla
5. Combine the liquid ingredients with flour mixture and beat until blended
6. Let stand until slightly thickened, 15 minutes
7. Ladle batter onto preheated waffle iron and cook (per appliance instructions) until golden and crisp