Mommy Mondays: Blakely Goes to Preschool

I know, you're probably checking your calendar and thinking "it's not Monday..."

BUT

Yesterday got away from me, so you're getting my Mommy Monday post on a Tuesday! 

Last week, I blogged about Lacie starting Kindergarten!  You can read about that HERE! 

Today I am talking about the other member of the Hilosky Family who started school...

Miss Blakely Hope

She's been waiting for this day since Lacie went to preschool one year ago! 

Looking a little unsure, but ready! 

 Happier to be standing next to Lacie! 

These pictures were taken on 9/6/16 and this turned out to be the very first day of school....and the very last day at that specific school for Blakely.  

Blakely had a good first day, but there was a bad vibe that I couldn't shake.  So I trusted my Mama intuition and pulled her out as fast as I could.  I'm not going to go into a ton of details, because it's not my place to bad mouth a school and many people are happy there...but it just wasn't the place for us. 

I felt a very strong calling that Blakely belonged somewhere else!

Two Days Later we were at a new preschool!  Everything happens for a reason, because this is exactly where Blakely needs to be.  I can feel it in my heart!  

Blakely is SO happy at her new school!  I can tell how much she adores her teachers and her new friends!  She gets so excited when she wakes up and I tell her it's a school day (she's there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:15-3)!

I think the only way she would be happier is if she was allowed to go to Kindergarten with Lacie! 

Back to School Banana Bread

It's THAT time!  

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

And if you live anywhere besides New Jersey than your kiddos are probably already back in the classroom! 

When I think about Back to School treats, homemade cookies come to mind first...but I wanted something a bit healthier!  This banana bread is the perfect HEALTHY snack that is still a treat!  It's even great to put in your kids' lunch boxes or snack bags!

Your Shopping List for the Back to School Banana Bread:

• 3 very ripe bananas 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (optional) 

Now Let's Make the Banana Bread:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease two loaf pans (1 pound pans that measure 8 1/2 x 4 1/2)
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine bananas, applesauce, eggs, and honey
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing until combined (do not over mix)
5. Fold in chocolate chips
6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes (until top springs back when touched)
8. Cool bread in pans for 10 minutes
9. Turn bread out onto cooling racks to cool completely
10. Slice each loaf into 12 pieces 

I use two of these my gold touch loaf pans from Williams Sonoma to make this bread, and it comes out perfect every time!