Breakfast of Champions

Ask anyone what the most important meal of the day is and I'll bet you they say "breakfast." Most of you know that the term comes from the fact that the morning meal is breaking a ten to twelve hour fast from the day before. Lots of love, adequate sleep and good nutrition are probably the three most important things you can give to your children. They are also three things that the child cannot acquire on his own.

I know that you are all busy and tired! I'm guessing that about half of you are early birds and half of you are night owls. I am a night owl who gets up at 6:00 am. I have had to train myself to go to bed early and get up early to get my morning chores done. I get up and take a shower, put makeup on, get dressed, make breakfast for four people, help make lunch for two kids, supervise three kids morning activities, feed the fish, feed and water two indoor cats and too many barn cats, feed and water and break ice for four horses, one donkey, two cows, five goats and several chickens. Then I drop two kids off at school in Canyon and drive twenty minutes to work. ( I also try to do laundry and dishes on some mornings.)

I know how busy and tired you all are!

I also remember that my kids didn't always like to eat breakfast first thing in the morning. They needed time to watch TV or play before they were ready to eat in the morning. My 15 year old son still takes breakfast on a plastic plate with a plastic fork in the car to eat on the way to school. Your children are welcome to bring their breakfast to school to eat if they get here before 8:15.

Now, your idea of breakfast and our idea of breakfast may be two different things. Remember, you are the only one who can provide good nutrition for your small child. You make their breakfast and you pack their lunch. You provide snacks and you provide supper. Chocolate donuts and chocolate milk are not the "Breakfast of Champions."

Have you been paying attention to the media and current concern over obesity in our country? Most Americans get way too many refined foods and not enough "whole foods" in their natural state. We also eat far too many carbohydrates and not enough protein. The recommended ratio for carbs, protein and fat is 45%, 30% and 25%. A donut has 51% carbs, 6% protein and 43% fat. A cup of 2% milk has 39% carbs, 26% protein and 35% fat.

www.nutritiondata.com is a website that lists nutrition facts and ratios for whole foods, packaged foods and restaurant foods. We have added this site to our list of favorite web sites.

Next week, we'll feature great breakfast ideas from the staff and parents. If you have a great breakfast idea, please e-mail me at ama@amaonline.com.

We know that you all want to be the best parents that you can be. We know that you all have chosen Amarillo Montessori to give your child the best early education. We want to help you provide the best morning nutrition so that your child can get the most out of his morning at school.

Have a great weekend!

Final Parent Orientation

I would like to thank everyone who has followed my blog through the parent orientation process. The rest of the handbook is very thorough and I trust that you will be able to read and understand it. If you have any questions about any part of our parent handbook, please feel free to ask your child's teacher or to call me in the office.

I would like to thank all the families who participated in the selling of cookie dough and pies. Your participation in the school's fund-raising efforts are so important. Because of parent participation in the Annual Extravaganza last year, we were able to install new tile and carpet in Rooms 1, 2, 3 & 4. We were also able to buy an awning to protect the doorway for Room 5.

The school board and staff will be meeting this month to discuss plans for the Annual Extravaganza 2009. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please e-mail me and I will share your comments at the meeting. If you are interested in serving on the Extravaganza committee, please let me know as soon as possible.