Mango Lassi-Isabella's Summer Snacks

This sweet Indian-style smoothie like drink is a blend of fresh mango's, honey and yogurt. Some recipes call for milk and cardamom to be added but I don't keep either in my house so I went for more of a western version. This is traditionally served with Indian fare to cool the mouth from all the spices in the exotic food. It works equally as well for Isabella's Summer snack! She loved this drink and consumed it way fast. When I love something like this I tend to savor it, taking slow sips in fear it will run out. Not Isabella. When she likes something she wolfs it down as fast as she can. I don't get it, but then again she doesn't get my approach either.

This Summer has been going by way too fast. I really can't believe it's almost over. I'm in denial that school will be starting soon. I have a meeting with the principal of the Christian Heritage School today to possibly see about Isabella going there this year instead of her usual public school, Soda Creek and I just can't believe it's already time to decide. I bought a bento lunchbox system for her this school year as I try to pack as many lunches from home as possible. The bento system is super cool because it's much more versatile than traditional lunch boxes with all it's compartments and organization. I'll post pictures and back to school lunch ideas soon. The lunch box is where the back to school thinking stopped, however, because I have not shopped for supplies and I have no idea exactly which day school starts. Part of me doesn't want to know and that's why I don't find out. I know it's sooner than I think it should start and that's sort of depressing to me. I remember not starting back to school until after Labor Day in September. Now it seems it's more like August 22nd or 23rd. But like I said, I don't really want to know. My friend Melissa is always the one who bursts my bubble (and thankfully lets me know) and tells me that school is starting in 3 days. That's when I kick it into high gear and accept our fate. The school year will indeed start...earlier than it should.

I love my kids and I want them around. I struggle with this every year at back to school time. If I didn't know myself better, I'd attempt home schooling. Thank God I know better as I would be a terrible teacher. I can't teach Isabella jack. She's one of those kids who has to learn from someone else. Someone she's to afraid to rebel against and someone she wants to please. Our mother/daughter relationship is too close to allow that. Especially when we both have a vision for how things should be done. Just so. And it's exactly the opposite way the other was thinking. Plus we both get frustrated easily and have a hard time with self control. It would be a hot mess. To real school she goes. Jeremiah will be starting pre-school this year as well. It's only one day a week but already I'm morning that the time has officially passed when he is just little enough to be home with me. I found some peace in this when I realized that he was born in October so he can't start kindergarten next year anyway. He will have another whole year with me at home with the exception of one day. I can handle that for now. I love cooking during the day with my little helper, Bud-Bud. I know he doesn't technically have to start this year, but he needs it. He would love it. The kid is smart and he needs that stimulation more than I need to indulge my selfishness in keeping him home. Oh, how I wish we just had that extra week and a half of sweet summer! We will have to milk it now that were in our final days. And it will probably involve at least one more Mango Lassi.

Mango Lassi

adapted from various sources on the Internet

1 mango, in chunks

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 cup ice

pinch of salt

Puree all ingredients together in a blender until smooth

makes 2 drinks

Let's unite and milk these last days of Summer together. What will you do? I think I will take my kids for a walk through the botanical gardens one morning and maybe picnic under the huge umbrella on the lawn. Were going to eat lunch outside at Sweet Pea and Bamboo Market. We will go to little toots park. We will go for another family bike ride down the bike path and stop for snacks along the way. Were going to have a big dinner at our house with our friends and let the kids run and make a fire and eat smores and dough boys until late. We'll go school shopping and make one more round of homemade Popsicles. I'll take Isabella to the movie theater, just her and I to see "Ramona and Beezus". The school year may be approaching rapidly, but I'm not going out without a fight! I'm taking Summer back. I'm taking it all back. HA! I just had a Goonies moment. (yeah...well this wish? This is MY wish and I'm taking it back. I'm taking them all back) Oh, Corey Feldman, get your act together will you?