In a short few weeks, I will be doing what many parents around the US will be doing: Sending my kids back to school.
While it is exciting to get back on a routine and have some time during the day to get errands, work, and chores done alone, this is also the year my youngest son goes off to Kindergarten. If I told you I was excited about that, I would be lying. I am actually incredibly terrified about all the new things coming up with back to school time. My son riding the bus, my son with homework, my son getting up at 6 am every morning- I feel like a first-time parent all over again. With balancing two kids and all that comes with school time, I am looking for ways to make getting out of the door as well as the afternoon walk back in, as fun (and efficient) as possible.
Off to School Checklist
To make things as easy as possible, I have come up with a simple checklist I hope helps get your kids off in the morning!
- I have eaten breakfast
- I am dressed, including shoes & socks
- My hair and teeth are brushed
- I have my lunch inside my backpack
- I have all my folders and homework in my backpack
You can download this FREE MORNING ROUTINE CHECKLIST (there is both a boy and a girl in the PDF file) to make your morning easy! Simply print on a piece of card stock and stick in a frame. Then you can use a dry erase marker to check mark each morning and keep it running smoothly.
Now that mornings are handled, let’s talk about afternoons.
The very first and I mean the VERY FIRST THING my kids do when they get home is beg for a snack. Not only did they have a long day full of learning (and hopefully some play), they had a bus ride home in the hot sun. I love to make them feel special after school and wanted to share this fantastic ‘make-it-yours recipe’ that we spruced up to make the best afternoon snack! Paired with the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Banana Bread Recipe (also perfect for breakfast), we have taken our left-over bread and made a delicious Banana Bread Split Afternoon Snack. It’s so decadent and delicious and your kids will feel special right after school.
Banana Bread Split Snack
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed, (1-1/2 cups)
- 1 cup I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spread
- 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Caramel Syrup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Sliced banana
Preheat oven to 350°.
Brush 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with additional I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spread; set aside.
Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl with wooden spoon.
Stir in remaining ingredients until blended and spoon into prepared pan.
Bake 60-70 minutes.
Cool 20 minutes on wire rack; remove from pan and cool completely.
Now slice your banana bread and add to bowl.
Top with 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Slice up bananas and sprinkle with brown sugar. Add to bowl. Now top with Caramel Sauce.
Enjoy Banana Bread Split!
