Author: Mindy Wulliger

It’s September and that means the back to school season is officially here! To help make school mornings less hectic, here are a few school morning hacks to eliminate some of that early morning stress. If you have any tips to add, please let us know in the comments below!

1. Backpack Station

Dedicate one shelving unit by your front door as the “Backpack Station”. This is where your kids will unpack their backpacks when they get home, take out any assignments or paperwork, take out their lunch, leave their hats, gloves, bike helmets, etc. You can set out a basket for each child where they’ll keep their hats, gloves, etc. Set out one plastic container per child for school paperwork, homework to be checked, forms to be signed, etc. You can have a calendar on this shelf that reminds them of special dates like school trips, sports, assignment due dates, tests, etc. Make sure you review each container of paperwork every evening so that it’s ready to be packed again that evening. Set a routine that you go through backpacks, homework and other paperwork every evening before supper (the earlier the better in case there are assignments that need to be completed) so that the kids can start getting their bags packed again for the next day of school. Having their backpacks packed and ready for school the evening before saves a lot of time in the morning.

2. LUNCH/SNACK STATION: 

In the pantry and the fridge, have some plastic storage bins ready with food for lunches. Have one bin in the pantry filled with school-safe (nut-free) snacks, another bin with lunch containers plus cutlery and napkins, water bottles and lunch kits that have been cleaned up and are ready to repack for the next day. The same idea goes for the fridge – have a bin in the fridge dedicated for lunches with washed and chopped up fruits and vegetables, sliced cheese, etc. that the kids can pick from when packing their lunches.

3. PACK LUNCHES & SNACK AFTER SUPPER: 

After supper each night, set a routine that the kids are responsible for packing their own lunches and snack. They can choose from the designated food bins that you’ve already filled with school-safe snacks. To make sure they don’t just pack a lunch full of granola bars, you could even label each bin to say “choose two” for snacks or “choose three” for the fruits and vegetable bin. Store lunch kits in the fridge until the next morning.

4. KEEP THE SAME DAILY ROUTINE: 

If you set an after school routine and stick to it daily, kids will have an easier time remembering their responsibilities. You could even write this up on a chart to display by your backpack station. The routine could include: come home and empty backpacks, put lunch kits in kitchen to be cleaned out, take out homework and permission slips and put in baskets for review, pack lunches after supper, when picking out pajamas for the night also pick out your clothes for the next day and hang them on the closet door, etc. Remember to pick out your own outfit too so you can save a few minutes in the morning.

5. BATHROOM CADDY: 

Organize all of your child’s bathroom supplies into a caddy to help speed up the process in the morning. This caddy would include toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, comb, hairbrush, etc.

6. MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFASTS: 

To save time in the morning, you can prepare quick breakfasts the evening before. Ideas include muffins (recipe suggestions Banana Cranberry Muffins, Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Muffins, Stud Muffins, Pineapple Coconut Muffins), quiche (Best Quiche Recipe), measured out berries for smoothies (Mixed Berry Smoothie), waffles (Best Waffle Recipe), etc.

7. SET TIMERS: 

Some kids work better under “pressure” so you can use timers to set for how long they have to eat breakfast, how long before it’s time to get out to the school bus, etc.

8. PACK A SNACK TRAP: 

To help with those snack attacks after school when heading to extra curricular classes or running errands, keep a “snack trap” packed in the vehicle with granola bars, dried fruit, bottles of water, etc. You can pack an ice pack in there and just set a reminder on your phone each evening to replace that ice pack but keep the snack pack in your vehicle so you always have it when needed.

9: GETTING PROPER SLEEP: 

The best way to prepare for a busy day is by getting a proper sleep. Some light exercise (like going for a walk with your family) before bed helps to prepare your body for sleep. The FitBit Flex (from Sport Chek) can track your activity level throughout the day and it can even track your sleep patterns so you can see if you’re truly getting a good sleep each evening. Try to keep the same bedtime routine every night.

Thank you Moms & Munchkins for these great tips!

Make these cute wafer cookie pencils for an easy and delicious back to school treat, with only 4 ingredients!

Ingredients: 

Vanilla Wafers

Bright White Chocolate Melting Wafers

Light Pink White Chocolate Melting Wafers

Mini Chocolate Chip

#5 Piping Tip and piping bag

Instructions 

• Cut one end of the wafer cookie on both sides of the top to create a point. 
• Melt the chocolate as directed by instructions on the package. 
• Fill piping bags with the 2 colors of melting wafers. We used tip #5 for easy piping. You could use a smaller tip if you find it’s easier, tip #3
• Fill in the very bottom section of the wafer with the melted pink chocolate to resemble an eraser. Shake lightly to smooth the melting wafers. 
• Fill in the point of the wafer with the melted white chocolate in a triangle shape. Again, shake lightly to smooth. 
• Add a mini chocolate chip for the lead tip of the pencil before the melted chocolate hardens. 
• 
  

TIPS: Cut all of the cookie tips first for all of the pencil cookies you’re going to make. 

While the melted chocolate may harden over time in the piping bag, we recommend melting and piping the eraser part on all of the cookies first and then melting the white melting chocolate for the tip and piping all of those last. 

Thank you Hello Yummy for this great idea!

FUN FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BREAKFAST

Prepare a special breakfast for your kids in the morning before they head off to class for the first day of back-to-school.

Make pancakes, waffles, French toast, breakfast burritos, or whatever special treats and favorite foods they fancy for a healthy breakfast. Be sure to pack some protein! Whatever you do, keep it simple and make some back-to-school traditions and memories!

BOOKS ABOUT THEIR SCHOOL OR GRADE

Many parents read books every night before bed. This is the perfect opportunity to create and have an open conversation about school. Flip through the pages and talk about what they think school and days are going to be like!

Here are some ideas of great books:

Kindergarten, Here I come! BUY IT HERE!

My First Day of First Grade BUY IT HERE!

CUTE BACKPACK

The snaps are really sturdy yet still easy for young kids to open and close on their own. The fabric is water proof which is great!

BUY CUTE HIMAWARI BACKPACK HERE!

FUN BACKPACK ACCESSORIES

This will get your child so excited every day as they want to grab their backpack! It’s really not enough to just have a cute backpack! These accessories make it even cuter!

Buy Backpack Charms

Buy Backpack Keychains

LETTER BOARD FOR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS

Buy here!

BACK TO SCHOOL BRACELET TO CALM THE NERVES

Your daughter will smile when she looks at it! Buy it here!

These pan-fried sweet potato gnocchi are slightly crispy on the outside and heavenly soft and pillowy on the inside. This easy recipe uses only 6 ingredients and is fun to make as well!

Did you know that making homemade gnocchi is actually not only quick and easy, but also kind of fun? Rolling it over a gnocchi board (or using the back of a fork) to get the ridges is an activity the whole family can take part in!

INGREDIENTS:

2 ¼ cup sweet potato purée
1 ⅔ cup sweet white rice flour (we use Bob’s Red Mill brand)
1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon maple syrup
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil (for pan frying)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cook and purée the sweet potato. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pierce the sweet potato several times with a fork and then bake for 50-60 minutes in a cast iron skillet. For quicker results, you can cook them in the Instant Pot (see post on How to Make Sweet Potato Purée for easy instructions). Then blend until perfectly smooth.
2. Form the dough. In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet potato puree with the rice flour, salt, pepper and maple syrup and stir well. When all the flour is absorbed by the sweet potato puree, it will form a dough.
3. Form into small pieces. Use a ½-tablespoon measuring spoon to portion out the gnocchi and roll between your hands and shape into rectangular prisms. Alternatively, you can work in batches to scoop portions of the dough onto parchment paper and then roll into ½-inch thick ropes. Then cut each rope into equal ¾-inch pieces. This recipe makes about 75 gnocchi.
4. Make the ridges. Gently press and roll each piece along a gnocchi board to create the ridges. Alternatively, you can press into each one using the tines of a fork.
5. Sauté the gnocchi. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the gnocchi in a single layer (I do this in two batches). Pan fry until golden brown and turn. Once both ides are crispy, transfer to a serving dish.
6. Enjoy immediately!

Thank you EatingbyElaine.com for the recipe

–   Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and magnesium) – keeps you hydrated, skin health

–   Antioxidants – protects cells from damage

–   Vitamin C – supports immune system & collagen production

–   Natural enzymes and fiber – aids in digestion

Go ahead and follow the simple steps to make yourself the lowest sugar, electrolyte-filled sports drink that should help you feel hydrated before this upcoming fast day. Plus, bonus for the nursing mamas, they say it helps in milk production!

Ingredients

• 5 fruity tea bags (recommended Strawberry if you can get!)
• 1 1L bottle coconut water

Instructions

• Seep 5 fruity flavored tea bags in a cup or so of hot water to create a concentrated tea essence.
• When cooled, mix with coconut water.
• Add ice, preferably pour into a large tumbler with straw, and enjoy!

Thank you BetweenCarpools.com

With Tisha B’Av coming up, keeping our kids occupied is more important than ever. With that in mind, we’re sharing a bunch of easy activity ideas for all ages.

The best part? All these ideas can be done with supplies you probably already have in your house. That means no shopping required!

1. Story stones

For ages: Ages 3 – 9

You’ll need: A collection of relatively smooth stones, paint, paintbrushes

Your child can create and decorate his own story stones with illustrations of things like flowers, designs, vehicles, or animals. Use these stones as prompts for storytelling.

To relate this activity to the fast day, suggest that your child paint the stones to look as if they came from the Beit Hamikdash, or use the pictures on the stones to tell stories related to Temple’s destruction.

2. Kotel craft 

For ages: Ages 3 – 7

You’ll need: Construction paper, safety scissors, glue stick

It’s always tough to impart the meaning of Tisha B’Av to younger children. An easy hands-on Kotel collage can help them begin to visualize the concept of the Beit Hamikdash and Western Wall.

3. Story time 

For ages: Ages 2 –10

You’ll need: An internet-enabled device

For those moments when you need some quiet time, take advantage of the many free Jewish audio stories available online. Have your child cozy up on the couch, listen to a story, and learn something while they’re at it!

Try these sites for free, kid-friendly Jewish stories:

• Torah Anytime kids
• Chabad.org
• Chilazon Press

4. Book swap

For ages: All ages

You’ll need: A friend to trade books with

With many libraries closed, why not organize a book swap with your child’s friend(s)? Kids will love having a fresh stack of books to dive into come Tisha B’Av.

5. Fun with balloons

For ages: Toddler – age 8

You’ll need: A pack of balloons

Additional supplies (optional): Plastic cups, a plastic baseball bat

Ever see how excited kids get with just one balloon? Multiply that by 10 or 20 — and you get one super engaging activity.

Some easy balloon game ideas:

• How long can you keep the balloon in the air?
• Balance balloons on plastic cups (how many can you get before they fall down?)
• Balloon baseball

Thank you kosher.com for putting together this list