It seems odd, but one of the biggest challenges I've had with home schooling Emma this year has been keeping her well-fed and full of energy. She is a lot like Dan I think--high metabolism, low blood sugar tendencies and when she's the least bit hungry she has no energy and gets very grumpy. It seems like I'm having to constantly give her snacks to keep her focused and "with me" so we can sit down and do a little concentrated school work together. I often find myself wondering how she'd ever cope in school--going all morning without a snack before lunch.

So I've been starting with breakfast--trying to wean them off cold cereal and juice and on to things with a little more substance--eggs, granola and yogurt, oatmeal. I've been setting up for breakfast each night before bed, hoping it will keep me on track with making them a hearty breakfast, instead of falling back on the easy box of cereal. Yesterday's eggs seemed to go over well and help us get a little farther into the morning before a meltdown indicating snack. And today's oatmeal was a moderate hit--thanks to some cream and raisins on top.

I'd love to hear some of the things that you feed your children for breakfast? Or do you have a great snack that you give them mid-morning for a boost of energy? Is there something I should be cooking up? I'm hoping Emma will grow out of this "eat every 90 minutes" kind of lifestyle, but maybe not.

Speaking of food--a little giveaway. I recently got some mail from American Farmland Trust, which included a few bumper stickers. I kept one for myself, but I'd love to give one away. They say, "No Farms. No Food." If you'd like it and use it, leave me a note in the comments and I'll get in touch. If more than one of you want it, then I'll just draw a name.

And for your viewing pleasure--she kept squawking at me while I was trying to write this post--I think she just wanted to be on camera. please ignore my mommy voice. yuck.

Hello Elizabeth from molly balint on Vimeo.