Saturday Morning Pancakes

As promised in my last blog post, here is the pancake recipe that my family has been using since I was a little girl. It is from the "Five Roses Flour: A Guide to Good Cooking Cookbook." We often like to make the apple cinnamon or banana chocolate chip ones, but the basic recipe is delicious all on its own. Yummy!! 

What are some of your family's treasured recipes? I'd love for you to share a favourite with me that your family enjoys together! Feel free to send them to me at krihenderson@cbe.ab.ca

Earlier this year, we wrote some descriptive pieces of writing modeled on the book, "The Best Part of Me" by Wendy Ewald. We used graphic organizers, our senses, and descriptive word banks to describe the best part of ourselves in detail. 

As time seems to slow and our pace of life has changed over the past few weeks, we might have more time to think about the special things in our lives. Making pancakes yesterday morning with my family made me think about how many things are special and unique about my little family unit. I'm sure that you have had some moments over the past couple of weeks that make you think about some of the special things about your family too (even if you might need a break from them once in a while)! 

Here's the start of my version of "The Best Part Of My Family".  If you feel inspired, I'd love to hear your version of "The Best Part Of My Family". You can access google docs at home and share your version with me, or send me a copy at krihenderson@cbe.ab.ca

The Best Part Of My Family

by: Mrs. Tran 

The best part of my family is that we love to snuggle. 

Every morning, little feet pitter patter down the hallway and into my bedroom--climbing up onto the bed.  Tiny toes hook onto the edge of the bed and little arms reach to pull pajama clad bodies up.  Through sleepy eyes, I see two smiling faces--one holding a well-loved pink bunny and the other with his arms wrapped around two monkeys and a green dinosaur.  These snuggly, warm little bodies tuck themselves under the covers and collapse onto us. It's squishy and cramped and perfect! Time ticks slowly as we enjoy a moment together before tummies start grumbling and it's time to go downstairs. 

The best part of my family is that we love to snuggle.

The best part of my family is that we love pancakes.

Every weekend, little hands and big hands work together to make the famous pancake recipe from mom's childhood. One helper carefully measures the flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Mom carefully cracks the egg on the side of the measuring cup, while little hands eagerly await the pouring and mixing of the remaining ingredients.  Poke, poke, poke the egg to mix it into the milk. Carefully now so that we don't spill anything!  We make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, and then ever so slowly pour the wet ingredients in. With a few swishes of the fork, we mix everything together.  Not too much! Just until it is combined.  A hot pan waits on the stove, ready for the batter. We watch, patiently, as the bubbles start to form, then quickly flip the pancakes over to finish cooking. Whipped cream, syrup, and fruit wait on the table for the fresh, hot pancakes to arrive. What a yummy treat!! 

The best part of my family is that we love pancakes.

The best part of my family is that we love to play.

From the early morning hours right up until bedtime, playing is a must at our house. Overturned cushions make a perfect hideaway or tunnel to crawl through.  Stools set up one in front of the other are the seats in a bus ready to drive us to a haircut appointment or the zoo.  Seated inside of a box or a toy bucket, with a Tupperware lid as a steering wheel, the kids' imaginations run wild with adventures to be had. Outside excursions turn into running races, bike rides, climbing, crawling, and rolling. Every puddle must be jumped in, and every rock and twig picked up.  Our days are filled with monster truck races, sunshine and fresh air, and much laughter and joy. Evenings are available for restaurant-quality gourmet recipes created by the chef of the day as daddy cooks supper alongside, or boat rides on the couch escaping the crocodiles. Learning to share that favourite toy or taking turns helping mommy and daddy. Sometimes we have tears, sometimes we have tough moments, but in the end, we always work through it. Learning to play together can be so fun and sometimes so hard. Loving each other and figuring out boundaries; giving a quiet space or a stuffy to hug when someone needs. Learning through play; playing while learning. 

The best part of my family is that we love to play.

The best part of my family is that no matter what, we stick together. 

The first faces we see in the morning and the last ones we see at night belong to our family. Through joyful times and tough times, we offer hugs, kisses, and support to one another. When Emma asks for a treat, she always asks for two: one for her and one for Jack.  When asked to get a bowl for supper, Jack always gets two: one for him and one for Emma. If one child is missing from the room, the other questions where their sibling is and goes to check on them. When we are all cooped up together in the house, unable to go to our favourite places, we find ways to entertain and connect with each other. The closeness is wonderful and special, and sometimes exhausting. Always together, it’s inevitable that we have our moments of frustration. Time to find our quiet space and reset. 

The best part of my family is that no matter what, we stick together. 

While the simplicity of living under these current circumstances seems tough, it has given us the time to learn more about one another. Connection is key and staying together and supportive is critical. A smiling face, a helpful hand, a shared snack, a bandaid or a hug when needed, or simply knowing when to give each other some space. These are just a few of the simple ways we are one—sticking together through good times and tough times.

There are many other things I could write about and add to this piece of writing, but I think it is time for me to pause and go play outside with my kiddos. 

Writers take time to think, plan, write, edit, pause, think, and plan some more. I am looking forward to more opportunities to think, plan, write, edit, pause, and think some more with you over the next little while.

I hope you can take some time on this sunny day to go outside and play too. Remember, while many things are cancelled, outside is not. Family is not. Connections are not.

Missing your smiles and looking forward to hearing some of your favourite things about your families, 

Mrs. Tran 

** I plan to put my computer away this week. If you write to me and don't hear a response back, it's because we are busy playing and enjoying the fresh air at this house. Enjoy your Spring Break!!  Stay tuned for more updates after the break. **