Calendar Overload

This month is the busiest time of the year.
Right now my middle child is already rehearsing for the Laramie Project at her school.  Rehearsals are several times a week and when they get closer to the date, it will be daily.  She is also a leader at the local AWANA club.  Her Saturday acting class is on hold until she finishes her weekly internship at a local parks and rec.
My youngest is learning 3 different choreography for an upcoming show with our local YMCA.  She also has girl scouts and acting classes on Saturday and a couple of projects she will be filming this month.

I think I just tired myself from writing that down.

Some people wonder why I do it.  I certainly didn't grow up with any of these opportunities when I was growing up.
My oldest was interested for less than a month on taekwondo and wasn't interesting in anything else but hanging with his friends and playing video games. So I let him because that is what he wanted to do.

I do this because my kids want to do this.  I have said no (if you can believe it) on other activities.

Most importantly, it is a girl thing.  I have nothing against boys.  I had one and he is and always will be the love of my life.
Girls have been taught, since an early age, that boys are dominant in everything.  Sports, business, and entertainment.
When my daughters decided they wanted to enter the entertainment business as actresses I was a bit hesitant, at first.  Then it became a big deal for me when I started getting breakdowns.  I choose roles they audition for very carefully.  They are just getting there foot in the door but I am still very careful what they do.  I would rather my daughters do small roles instead of big roles that are violent or come across as some hoochie.  Believe me when I tell you that I have across roles when they are looking for hot 8-12 year olds or roles where the 13 and over is in a scene where sex is implied.  Implied or not there minds are too young and can't really understand it.
I want my daughters to be positive role models and play them on film.

I also want them to be the best at what they do now and what they will do later on in their lives.

Let your children follow their dreams.
Even if it will take up your space on your calendar.
You will still have a life.  I promise you.
And if that's not enough, remember, they won't live with you forever.
If you're lucky.

Happily busy...and grateful

Trying to finish up the school year with one kid and with the other all her upcoming end of the school year events and graduation for the other makes me tired just filling up the calendar!
But I am grateful that my children are healthy and thriving in everything they do.  Kids are so lucky.  I didn't have so many activities to do afterschool or on weekends.  So much is available!  Celina and Yesenia both take art, acting and dance classes at our local Y Monday-Friday with our family membership.  Yesenia takes a motion and improv class and a puppeteer class at a theater/gallery on Saturdays which are totally free (they do take donations) but how amazing is that!  I don't know why more families aren't taking advantage of so much that is offered in our community and nearby communities.
A few years ago we traveled several miles away from my front door to attend a cooking, art, and acting class.
Everyone should have access to this.
If you're not sure if you have these programs go online and checkout your city's website, your local YMCA or YWCA.  If you are not sure drop me a line and I will help.
This summer in most cities around the U.S. there will be free swimming lessons.  Another great opportunity for children to learn water safety and swim.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so before you get the kids ready for school or weekend fun, have some yummy goodness that will fill you up.

Scrambled Tofu Biscuit Sandwich w/Sausage Gravy
from  Vegan Junk Food by Lane Gold

4 biscuits or English muffins
1 16 oz carton of firm tofu, drained and pressed and broken up into small chunks
1 tsp oil
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/8 turmeric
2 tsps soy sauce
1 14 oz package Gimme Lean sausage
1 tbsp oil
1/4 cup flour
2 cups nondairy milk
1 tsp salt
1tsp pepper

In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, cook tofu in 1 tsp of oil.
Cook for 5 minutes or when all liquid is absorbed.
Stir in nutritional yeast, onion powder, turmeric, and soy sauce and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from pan.
In the same pan cook sausage in oil until browned.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Whisk in the milk.
Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly.
Season with salt and pepper
On a biscuit or muffin, spoon 1/4 of the scrambled tofu, smother in gravy.  Cover with the other biscuit or muffin.

Enjoy!