Hot lunches: super, soup-er, and silly

Today was the first day of school! I got this picture as we headed out the door and down the street. (Walking was a bit harder than in the past since one of the wheels on the stroller was a bit flat, but we made it-- and on time.) Blessings #3 and 4 rode in the stroller (#3 was pretty much sleeping because he wasn't feeling well this morning... In fact, he almost puked in front of the school. Fortunately only clear stuff came up, so it was just like spit.), and #5 rode in the kangaroo pack. #1 started first grade, and #2 had her kindergarten assessment to determine which class she'll be in. So, officially, today was not her first day, but on Friday (assessments run through Thursday) she'll be in her class. They are both so happy. When I picked #1 up from school today, she came bouncing out of her class and ran over to me so excited-- she loves her class, her teacher, and even her "hot lunch" she was a little worried about. "Moma, I had a burrito, and I loved it! Mmm-mm, it was so-o tasty!"

Speaking of tasty, while bloghopping the other day, I was visiting Babywearing and stumbled on a recipe (from recipezaar.com) for a copycat Olive Garden minestrone. I really like Olive Garden's minestrone, so I was excited to try this recipe out. I made some modifications and came up with my own version of this tasty soup. If you, too, are a lover of the OG-minestrone, here is my recipe that you can try if you'd like! We had it for lunch, and N said that it tasted better and better with every bite. I asked if that meant it didn't taste good on the first bite, but he said that my soup was like his love for me. He's always loved me, but he just loves me more and more every day. *ahh... sigh* (Good comeback, eh?) Anyways, next recipe project: copycatting Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscano. I've been compiling and modifying different recipes... I'll let you know later if that copycat recipe is a successful venture!***visit here for update***

Speaking of the minestrone... as I was preparing my soup, Blessing #3 decided to make his own soup. He got out my mixing pitcher and measuring spoons and stirred in a lot of goodies-- just like his moma was doing. It was his self-proclaimed "Silly Soup." In fact, he dished us both some for lunch. (That orange monkey added some great zing, I might add!) After a while when he was distracted with something else, I reclaimed my Tupperware for other uses. He wanted to make Silly Soup again tonight, so I gave him an old plastic cookie bowl. He was now making Silly Cookie Soup, he said. Of course, when dinnertime came around, the soup got dumped and in went the mac'n'cheese. That old cookie dough tub became his dinnerware of choice. It was funny, he was happily eating, and he was eating very well... I wasn't going to complain! No need to fight that one, right? I would have had to wash it anyway!

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