School Days

I've written many times before about how special Sydney's preschool is.  There is a warmth and loving feel to it that makes it such a wonderful place for children to spend their day.  I can honestly say that Sydney has never had one unhappy day at preschool and I owe it all to her amazing teachers Jen and Carmen!

This week it was Carmen's birthday.  The parents all pitched in to get her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

It was such a pleasure seeing her face light up when I walked into class at the end of the day with a gift and card for her.  She has become a dear friend to me and I know that our relationship is going to last far beyond these fleeting years while Sydney is in preschool.

One of the Moms came in this week to make cookies with the kids, a healthy version of chocolate chip cookies that had chick peas in them! 

Here's the recipe for them from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious cookbook:


Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chickpeas

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter or margerine (soft spread kind in tub works best)
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 - 15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 cups flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.  In a large mixing bowl beat the sugar and butter until smooth.  Beat in the egg whites and vanilla, then the chickpeas and chocolate chips.  Add the flour, oats, baking soda and salt and mix on low speed until a thick dough forms.

Drop the dough by the tablespoonful onto the baking sheet spreading the cookies about two inches apart.  Press gently with a fork to flatten.  Bake until the cookies are golden brown, 11 to 13 minutes.  Transfer to a rack to cool.

The kids had such a blast making cookies and were so excited to get a little treat at snack time too!

On Friday morning Sydney's class led the Shabbat service which included all the children in the preschools and daycare.

Sydney and her friend Julia sang a duet, "Shabbat is Here".  It was very sweet seeing them up there singing into the microphone!

I feel so fortunate and blessed to have found such an amazing place for Sydney to spend her mornings.  I am willing this year to go slow and steady as we savour the last year in this magical place!