Smart as a Whip
I was a little disappointed when I learned Gigi would be in the afternoon kindergarten class this fall. I essentially wanted her to be done with school by noon so we could have the rest of the day to do what we wanted. I underestimated the amount of time it would take to get ready for school. How silly of me. She is a Pea after all.
Gigi hopped out of bed this morning, on her first day of school, threw on her “after pajama clothes” (her words), and did some morning calisthenics.
I thought she was mimicking me, but at no point has a “donkey kick” ever worked its way into my workout. That may all change tomorrow.
After her exercise, Gigi had to carefully select the outfit that would make the right impression on her classmates and teacher. A look that said, “I’m ready to learn. I’m ready to make friends. I’m ready to do a traditional Hawaiian dance.”
Um, yeah. Veto.
Much better.
We packed Gigi’s snack.
Her first choice was “carrots with hummus” but I thought it was a little early in the year to bring out the garlicky, Mediterranean bean dip in Mrs. Williams’ class. That may all change tomorrow.
We even had time for a trip to Target to pick up ballet tights for the girls’ first classes tomorrow and waterless shampoo and Mucinex for me. Sexy, sexy purchases between a product that encourages me to have even worse hygiene and a pharmaceutical that has a big blob of phlegm as its mascot. It’s a wonder Pea Daddy can keep his hands off of me.
After errands and lunch, we took the requisite first day of school photos.
Working the backpack.
And we said our goodbyes a little early, to save the embarrassment of PDAs.
Completely unprompted.
Ow, my aching ovaries.
We took a short walk to school, found our cubby, gave a quick hug, and it was done. Like a Band-aid, right off.
Lulu enjoyed a little time alone with me, a walk to the park in a single stroller, no one fighting over who gets pushed on the swing and no one whacking her in the stomach with the iCarly microphone (while I was upset over the blow to Lulu, I was more disappointed in the durability of that blasted toy). Random acts of voice-amplified violence aside, we thought Gigi deserved a special after-school snack for her first day.
And so one was born.
Pineapple Whip Parfaits
(inspired by Disney’s Dole Pineapple Whip)
Makes 2 parfaits
- 2 c. frozen pineapple tidbits
- ~1/3 c. non-dairy or organic milk
- ~1/4 c. vanilla non-dairy creamer
- 1/2 t. xanthan gum (optional)
- 1/2 t. guar gum (optional)
- stevia to taste
- 1/2 c. diced mango
- 1/4 c. unsweetened coconut
Combine all ingredients except mango and coconut in a high speed blender or food processor.
Blend until thick and creamy, adjusting liquid amounts as necessary.
Toast coconut by microwaving in a small glass bowl for 45-60 seconds or by toasting in a shallow pan over medium heat.
Put pineapple whip in a serving dish,
and top with mango and toasted coconut.
Gigi enjoyed her snack even more than learning about the letter “M” today and meeting a new friend with the same name as her little sister.
She took a few bites, looked up thoughtfully and said, “We should have this every day for an after-school snack!”
She’s learning already. Now for homework. A drawing assignment for Geeg and ten pages of forms as homework for me.
Because I didn’t get enough “homework” today. I cleaned up spilled apple juice twice. And at least once was after it had been consumed. But we made it through the first day with no tears and little stress.
That may all change tomorrow.
Ah, glad her first day of school went well!!! Tell her I love the backpack and lunchbox. And my waterbottle will go great with it. I think I subconsciously left it there for them.
have fun w/ your homework!
I literally just took your waterbottle out of the cupboard to take with us to ballet
i have been reading mainly in reader and then clicking right to the comment form. but i clicked here from FB and can i just say i love the large top photo thing. i never noticed that before, or is it new? well, who cares, it is new to me and i love it!
G looked perfect for her first day. to the nines. i love the backpack shot but not as much as i love the sister shots. so dang cute & touching. that is how my 3 nieces are with each other. hopefully they can be that close forever. also, glad lulu took it all so well! those two are attached at the hip, so i am sure it was a little tough to say goodbye.
can’t wait to hear/see about ballet!
“Ow, my aching ovaries”…..haha! You’re a hoot!
I am glad to hear that gigi loved her first day of school!! I am sure that she is one very smart girl. I hope that she loves school next year when she goes to school all day!!
Gigi belongs in some cute kid’s catalog with those poses. Wow.
So nice they have only half day kindergarten there. I think a full-day is cruel for that age group. Congrats on a great first day, Gigi!
Aww, Gigi posing with her backpack is so adorable! Glad she liked school and that’s super cool that you guys are close enough to walk there! And that snack looks amazing and so refreshing; I will definitely try it soon! Good luck w your homework!
Congrats to Gigi AND you for making it through her first day of kindergarten! She looks so cute in those photos and that picture of her and Lulu giving kisses – wow…so incredibly sweet!
I loved your Mucinex and dry shampoo joke about Pea Daddy being unable to keep his hands off you…I love a good laugh at 6am. The best part about early morning pumping sessions is reading your blog.
I hope today goes as well as yesterday!
The pictures of Gigi and Lu hugging before she left seriously melted my heart. Melted!
Yay for Gigi’s first day!!!
She is super adorable – I love the pictures of the two of them together. I would have cried if I were you.
Oh my word, I miss you all so much! Did you have fun at Disney? I certainly hope so. And I hope you feel better soon!
I just spent all of last week with a nasty bug, you know I’ve literally been in contact with 6/10 of the world’s population over the last three weeks so it was bound to happen. Luckily, I had had enough foresight to pack a combo Tylenol Cold AM/PM with me. It’s only been to China five times, but I knew I’d need it sometime!
I’ll be home a week from Friday. Can’t wait!
Big hugs to the big kindergartener and her little sister!
Xo,
Erin
Oh my, Gigi has learned to WORK IT for the camera. Kids know that cupping their chins make them look adorable. My brother posed similarly in his pre K photos, and you almost die from the cuteness.
Gigi looked so cute in her pretty dress on her first day of school! How sweet the photos are too of her and Lulu!!! Kids grow up so fast!
I just caught up on your past post’s and disney trip! Looks like you and the family had a blast! DIsney is really the best! I hope to go back again soon!
Have a great day!
LOVE Gigi’s first day of school photos.
Have fun at first day of ballet today!
I remember loving the Dole Pineapple soft serve as a kid, but now it seems too sweet- this looks like a fabulous alternative!!
that picture of gigi kissing lulu on the forehead is beyond precious!
Oh! The hug pic and the kiss pic!! Blow it up to like a 10×12 and hang it! So cute!!
Wow, no tears on the first day of school?! I’m impressed!!! The sister-to-sister goodbye pictures are almost making ME cry, ha!
is it bad that i’m jealous of Gigi’s first day of school dress? i wonder if they make that in big girl sizes
“after pajama clothes”. I have a few pairs of those, too
Those pictures of the girls hugging goodbye is too much!
First off, I love their hairbands!!! Really cute. You could wear one after using your no shower shampoo…which by the way, I want some for myself.
Second, my ovaries ache at that picture too. And part of me gets a little twinge of sadness that M most likely won’t have a sister to share life with. Maybe baby B will be girly. Nah…I shouldn’t wish that one ht poor kid.
Third, I’m gonig to have such a hard time sending M off to her first day!
Oh my goodness – the PDA pictures are just too much! So, so cute.
Oh my gosh, those pictures of the ‘goodbyes’ are SO adorable! Makes me think of my sister and me on my fist day of school. I got a little teary!
Love your blog
haha Gigi is SUCH a poser
And that picture of her and Lulu hugging is so cute.
I’m so glad she had a great first day. Those pics of the girls hugging are making my ovaries hurt too, haha!
This is adorable! I love the one of the girls saying their goodbyes.
i have to say i love that your little girls always look like little girls instead of mini-britney spears/miley’s. i strongly dislike alot of the children’s clothing available today!! great job dressing them like their age
Totally agree. It’s disgusting. Thank you!
Congrats on your first day of kindergarten Gigi!
That pineapple whip looks delicious!
I love the picture in your banner…she’s such a lovely little monkey. And the sibling love is so delicious. Really miss you guys.
tyra would be so proud of gigi’s angles when modeling that backpack.
that pineapple whip! GENIUS
Good lord, your kids are too adorable. I love Gigi’s chin hand pose–she definitely knows how to work it, haha.
I also was ooohing and awwing at the goodbye pics, they love each other so much! It’s really beautiful to see. I’m not sure if my sisters and I were so loving at that age!
I also didn’t know they made nike tempo shorts for kids! Too cute.
I feel like I say this all the time, but you truly have the most beautiful little girls on the planet!
I’m glad Gigi had a great first day of school!
Ahhhh they are just sooo sweet. I love G’s first outfit, lol. Congrats on making it through the first day. Hope you start to feel better soon!!
how are your girls always so cute?!
Omigosh Gigi and Lulu are too cute and funny. Gigi took some great first day pics. I think I’m frowning in mine
Oh you’re a genius. Dole Whips are one of my favorite things ever!
Your daughters are so beautiful and stylish! I love the green dress, and I also love the hula outfit.
A friend of mine referred me to your site, and I am so glad that she did! Your recipes are so simple, but look absolutely delicious! The first day of school is always so exciting, what a great mom you are to take such care in packing her snack, and preparing such a fabulous after school treat. I will have to make these parfaits soon. Thanks for sharing! =)
I’m glad your friend referred you too! Thank you for saying hi.
Awww Happy First Day of Kindergarten! The girls look so cute saying goodbye to eachother!
Sarah,
I’ve just started reading your blog and wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it! It is so entertaining, and you have a wonderful sense of humor! I’m a new vegan so your recipes are super helpful and delicious : )
Your little ones are so adorable and I love reading about their antics!
Veronique, thank you! I am so glad that I’ve been some help in your transition to veganism!
Honestly – where do I even start?!?!?! I can NOT believe how big they both are, its insane – and they both had on the cutest outfits for the Gigi’s first day (apparently Lu prepared as well!)
And them hugging and kissing? O.M.G. I just about died from cuteness overload!
Oh yeah – and that pineapple soft serve looks amazing
That first first-day-of-school outside backpack photo is totally frameworthy! Treasure it.
Also, what an excellent snack idea to ease the post-vacation/back-to-school blues.
“No-wash shampoo and mucinex. Sexy sexy purchases…” LOL You are truly amazing and I look forward to your reading blog every single day!!! Thank you!
Thanks, Gen, you are so sweet!
That’s a cute hairstyle for first day of school. Good job Mama Pea!
I am the oldest of four girls and I don’t think we were that lovey dovey to each other when we started school, not that I remember. The girls are so cute and their pictures are so adorable.
The pictures of your girls hugging is to cute for words. My sisters and I were never this nice to eachother:)
My brothers and I definitely did not have an adorable kissing picture like that. You’re blessed.
Also: Gigi working the backpack with a hip pop. So cute and hilarious. Little sassy pea!
Glad the first day of kindergarten went well! Perfect photos! I still remember the teenager’s first day of kindergarten. For some reason it was more emotional for me than when I sent him off to college a few weeks ago…
And the after-school snack looks so yummy!
I just want to cry because I am so excited to recreate your pineapple dole whips. I have a HUGE list of your recipes to try out next week and this just made it to the top. Andy and I bonded over those dole whips when we first started dating. Now I’ll have to play “nice” wife and make him one at home. (Do you think he’ll forgive me for spending an hour flat-ironing my hair everyday? I hope so!)
I’m glad her first day went well. I used to work in kindergarten and dealt with a lot of tears on the first day (Mostly from the parents) so it’s great to see that she enjoyed her day!
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and I just love it! Your girls are SO cute and I love your recipes. I use your blog whenever I get bored and need a new recipe to try! Thanks-can’t wait to get your book
Thanks Holly! I’m so glad you’ve tried and enjoyed the recipes!
OMG that pic of the two girls is absolutely gorgeous!
Love the first day photos!! What a special day!!
Glad that everything went well!! And what a lucky girl to get such a yummy and healthy after-school snack!! As a teacher, I can tell you we hate those forms as much as the parents do b/c we have to sort through them all when they’re returned and figure out what form goes to which office!! Such a pain!!
What stylish chicks you have, Mama Pea!
Now get to work on that homework!
You did it! You made a fabulous vegan parfait! This might have to go into my breakfast rotation in the near future.
I must be living under a rock (or a pile of toys that my kids threw on top of me), because I know not of Dole Whips. Rest assured, I am now aware and will be trying them soon. My kids love pineapple and I love anything that lets me eat more coconut.
Glad the first day of school went so well! Here’s hoping for a great year.
Your daughters are so stinkin’ cute
Also, who ever invented the dry shampoo is a life saver… I love that stuff!
I didn’t realize that Gigi is the same age as Sophia! Sophia started kindergarten this year also. She’s my third to go, so it was let’s walk to the bus stop (across the street from the house!) get on the bus, “have a nice day!” and a “see you when you get home!” and then a brunch with champagne followed, LMAO! Hey, it wasn’t my idea!
Glad to see it wasn’t too stressful for you!
Your ovaries??? What about ours??? Sigh. Maybe in six years.
Yay Gigi! Congrats on the first day! I love reading about kids’ first day from the parent…I’m a K teacher and do my best to make the day great for my little ones! I hope she LOVES school!!
Seriously that picture of Lulu and Gigi kissing bye is the cutest! I do not think my siblings and I were nearly that loving. haha
Love the sister shots. Says so much about the way you are raising your kids. Great job Mama!
awww yay for Gigi!!!! And that looks a perfect after school snack!!
Glad Lulu and you had a wonderful afternoon together!!
I loved Gigi’s Hawaiian outfit choice for the first day of school, priceless. I wish you luck in creating her (my) after school snacks, I’m sure you won’t let us down
You dress your girls so cute!
Wow……I’m not a kid person at all. It’s not fair that your kids are that cute. Hahaha….really. Looks like you all had a good first day of school
YUM! I agree with Gigi on the frequency of the parfaits
Congrats to her for a great first day of kindergarten!
side question not at all about food: Where do you get the girls headbands? I love the look of them. I have a daughter in love with headbands and those look great.
OK, the third PDA picture had me in tears. I’m not even kidding.
MamaPea, I am so sorry for being extremely MIA in your comments section. It makes me feel like a really bad friend, but I honestly have been reading and watching the girls grow. It’s really quite exquisite that we get to see Gigi go to kindergarten. School is the start of so much, the start of one finding her own way amongst boys and girls her own age. And Lulu’s first ballet class is monumental, too, as she discovers dance and art and what makes her happy. It makes me wish my mommy had a blog (back in, what? 1993?) so I could relive and watch my first day of kindergarten and dance class. I’m sure your girls will be very thankful for the documentation down the line.
Going to dry off the tears now. Much love, K.
Ohhhhhh my, those pictures are the most precious thing I think I have ever laid eyes on….. adorable beyond belief!!!!!
Do you think I can use my coconut milk creamer french vanilla in place of the soy milk creamer? If so…I have all ingredients on hand and will be making this for an afternoon snack for my kids!
Sure!!! They will love it!
This looks so tasty and pretty for serving to guests! I can’t wait to try it!