MOM MINUTES!!

Quick Update on the Band Camp: Mon. and Tues. went well; those kids are really working hard, and what sounded like "BLAP SQUACK" on Monday morning was starting to sound more like actual music by yesterday afternoon. Keep in mind, however, that my hearing WAS almost gone by then, however, because I was working in the file room right off of the band room and the ENTIRE DRUMLINE was inside practicing. Let's just say that by the time they went back outside (2 HOURS LATER!), I was getting pretty good at that whole rhythm thing...dumdumdum da dumdumdum da dumdumdum......LOL :)

Anyway, now for the real reason that you all come to visit me....come on, don't be shy, admit it, you guys love my Mom more than me! HAHA! Yes, Helene, I DID get up early to type this (not too much earlier though....that alarm went off and I went, "UGH!"

MOM MINUTES by EARLENE

Whoever wrote the song, "It's Summertime and the Living is Easy," must not have had any children.... (Seriously!) or they wrote it AFTER the children were all grown and gone and they had forgotten just how BORED children can get! HA!

We are now in the "Dog Days" of Summer, the natives, err children, are getting restless, and they are looking for something fun to do. What about making homemade popsicles with them? I used to have my kids make these when they were all still at home, and they had a lot of fun with it. They enjoyed creating new flavors, and it seemed that all of the neighborhood children knew when we were making these, because they'd all flock to my patio like vultures! :)

DRIPLESS FRUIT-FLAVORED POPSICLES

3 oz. Jello
1 pkg. Kool Aid
1 c. sugar
2 c. hot water
2 c. cold water

Mix 2 cups hot water with Jello and add Kool Aid of same flavor add sugar and stir until dissolved. Then add 2 cups cold water. Pour into 2 oz. (or larger, if you want to) Dixie cups (plastic works better, but paper is okay, also) and place in freezer. When it starts to gel, insert popsicle sticks into each cup. Makes 12 to 14. May be frozen up to one week. Can be made with diet Jello and diet Kool Aid and omit sugar, for a good diet snack.

**P.S.: Put cups into muffin tins and then freeze. Also, the texture is sort of flakey ice with a hint of gelatin binder. Very good and yummy, just not like store-bought popsicles.

These are seriously yummy, and can be addicting, so watch out! I know that in today's world, some parents don't like the idea of koolaid or jello -- they feel that they are too full of dyes and sugars. So, I found another recipe that I thought might appeal to those of you who would rather have something a little healthier!

Peaches n' Cream

Two ripe peaches or nectarines, peeled and sliced
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
¼ cup milk

Put all the ingredients in a blender and pulse until just mixed. Pour into molds and freeze for about two hours. Insert sticks and freeze overnight or until firm. I haven't tried these, so if any readers do, please let me know how they turn out!

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Did you know that today is a National Waffle Day?? I'm confused on this one, because I read a post this morning that it was yesterday (August 4). I love waffles ANY day of the week, so either way, celebrate National Waffle Day in your own way no matter WHAT the day! :)

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Have a Wonderful Wednesday....today the Baptist Church in my small-town is treating the band and the workers to a FREE lunch at their church. Since their church is located right next to our school, all we have to do is walk across the parking lots and we are there!! They are the nicest congregation and are so awesome to do this for us every year. It is a HOT lunch (what a nice treat----the kids LOVE IT!) and they don't even allow us to help clean up. They tell us that they just want to be able to serve us and to help us all to relax for a bit. Such a nice thing to do, and very, very appreciated from all of us. :)