Like most families, our morning routine can get a little hectic, especially on school days.
We wrestle with how to get everyone fed and out the door on time, with the things they need, preferably without the neighbors calling to complain. It can be an intricately timed mission, or an exercise in futility, it depends on the day.
I’m not an expert, and, I don’t play one on the Internet, either, but, here are some of the things we do to make the mornings easier. Some of them are obvious, but, they may be easier said than done:
1. Prepare everything the night before – NO exceptions - When we are running late or have a frazzled morning, it’s almost always because we’ve said: “Eh, skip it, we’ll do it in the morning." the night before.
I try to have lunches made, backpacks by the door, gym clothes bagged, folders signed, clothes (including shoes) located, and, laid out etc. even if I'm tired. I make the kids show me that everything is ready to “go out the door” before they go to bed.
2. Get ready for Monday on Friday night – Since I have self-diagnosed Sunday Affective Disorder, I’m always looking for ways to make it better.
I make myself prepare lunch money, wash gym clothes and school uniforms, locate sports equipment, and, look in backpacks and folders, etc. on Friday night, so that I enjoy being ahead a bit on Sunday evening.
3. Post a list of what items are needed each day – We have an index card on the back door with a heading for each day of the week. Under each day of the week there is a complete list of what everyone needs to take out the door with them and, any after school activities that day.
4. Make a “launch pad” – we have a bakers rack with shelves for each kid by the back door where they can store items that need to go out the door with them each day. Ideally, they’d put stuff back there at the end of the day, but, well, we don’t live in an ideal world, now, do we?
5. Stick to the same routine each day – From wake-up times, to when everyone should be at breakfast, do it the same time and in the same order every day.
We've tried not to get in the habit of letting the kids eat breakfast on the run, and for the most part, they sit down to eat.
My youngest child is approximately 93% frozen waffle, so we eat a lot of Eggos around here (sometimes still frozen) in the mornings. So, when I was offered the opportunity to try the new Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas, I was all over that.
We were excited when they arrived in the mail:
But, got a little distracted by the dry ice they came packed in:
Anyway, Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas are an all-in-one combination of fruit, warm toasted granola on an oven-baked cinnamon pastry, and it only takes one minute in the microwave to enjoy them. They are available in Strawberry Granola and Mixed Berry Granola flavors.
We got to try out both flavors. Despite what I said earlier about making the kids sit down to eat, my daughter was in a hurry this time, and we didn't have much else in the house for breakfast (don't judge), so our first foray was Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas made to go:
She was a little skeptical about the concept at first, but was quickly surprised at how good they were. The strawberries are actual strawberries (hence the "real fruit" part, methinks), and they remained cold (in a good, non-smushy fruit way) while the rest of it was warm and toasty.
The crust was good, too. I'm always a little wary of bread type things in the microwave, but this has a great texture (you can put it in the oven for a crispier crust if you'd like). It's a little sweet, but not overly so, with a slight maple flavor.
Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas are a hit here, and they make a great, warm alternative to the standard cereal bar fare.
Want to check them out for yourself?
____________________________
The giveaway
Prize: A set of Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas to try out for yourself - 5 winners (1 set each).
1. Leave a comment (and a valid e-mail address) here and share your best tips for making mornings easier.
2. 5 (five) winners will be picked randomly via Random.org from the comments.
3. Contest is open to all U.S. residents (no purchase necessary, void where prohibited) 18 years or older
4.. Winner has 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be drawn.
5.. Hurry! Contest ends Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 10pm CST.
There are lots of other chances to win as well, check out all the Eggo AM Moms! Winner(s) will be randomly selected and notified on Thursday, August 5th.
In addition, the TheMotherhood will create, from the collected user-generated tips the Eggo Best Tips for Enjoyable, Organized Morning, by choosing the best user-generated tips.
TheMotherhood will randomly select one of those submissions to receive a prize from Kellogg, samples of Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas and set of Kellogg mugs. Winners will be selected at random using www.random.org.
Also, be sure to check out TheMotherhood Eggo Mornings Circle where we talk about making our morning routines easier.
I am being compensated for my participation, but please know I was delighted to have the chance to try Kellogg's Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas, courtesy of The Motherhood Creative.
My opinions are my own, and my family and I are of the opinion that these Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas are good, and we'll buy them again!
Official Contest Rules below:
Continue reading "Giveaway - Morning Routine Tips and Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas" »
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