How are you doing? No, I mean it, really. Take a breath. Breathe in and out, and have a moment to check yourself. How are you? I feel like I’ve been a frazzle of emotions and back to school busy-ness. It’s a crazy time of year, isn’t it? There’s the school lists, dropping money left, right and even centre, all the new things {finding classrooms, new faces, new teachers and even for us, a new principal}. It’s a LOT.
Like many other bloggers at this time of year, I could write a list of everything you need to do to be prepared for the new school year. It would have things like buy new shoes, buy a drink bottle, label EVERYTHING and get a cute lunchbox {personally I like the Bento-style ones}. But I’m not going to give you that kind of checklist. No ma’am. ????
Instead I want to share 3 things that I think are important for the year ahead. Of course shoes are important, but these things are a different kind of important. They’re about staying connected as a family.
1. Pick a sport or afternoon activity
I try and make sure my kids have one activity to do. For us, it’s swimming and netball. Some kids like being busy {Lacey!} and some others don’t so much {Lulu!} so I just take their lead and let them choose, while remembering it’s meant to be fun and not stressful! It’s fun to get them excited, and cheer them on as well.
2. Create a little afternoon tradition
Tell me this; Have you ever asked your kids how their day is, and it feels impossible to squeeze any details out of them? Yep. I’m nodding my head too. You can create a little tradition that can happen one day a week. Maybe you drive to the park and throw a frisbee and chat on the drive there and back. Maybe it’s playing cards in the shade. Or maybe it’s asking your kids what their best and worst of the day {works a treat in our home}. Kids love these little traditions, and even if they feel awkward the first time, they become your new {lovely} normal before long.
3. Choose a favourite recipe to make together
Lulu loves when we make cookies together. It makes her feel special. This year I wanted to try some more recipes with her, and some more on the savoury side to get her trying new foods and textures. The recipe that I’m sharing below is one that I tried, and she loved {as did Lacey} so it was a total win. They’re Noodle Nuggets! So easy to make, and they’re only three ingredients.
I have to tell you; these are good! You can create them, freeze them, and then when you’re ready pop them in the oven for cooking. My kids have always loved MAGGI 2-minute noodles, and I love that I blew their minds by turning them into delicious nuggets for an after school snack. They’re SO easy.
2-Minute Noodle Nuggets Recipe
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Noodle Nuggets
Ingredients
2 packets of MAGGI Chicken 2-minute noodles
2 eggs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (if your kids don’t like Parmesan, use tasty)
Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the noodles into a bowl. You don’t have to use the seasoning, so you put this aside {I use it in soups for seasoning}. Pour boiling water over the noodles to cover. Let stand for 3 minutes. Drain, and run cold tap water over them. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- In a medium-sized bowl, place the two eggs and whisk. Add the salt and pepper, and the cheese and mix. Add in the noodles and combine.
- On a tray lined with baking paper, or if you like more perfectly shaped noodle nuggets you can use an ice tray, heap small spoonfuls of the nugget mixture onto a tray or ice tray. Place into the freezer for an hour.
- Preheat oven to 180ºC, and line a tray with baking paper. Place the frozen nuggets onto the tray, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Serve warm with tomato sauce, or your favourite dipping sauce.
