Busy Mommy ... and a big day tomorrow.

I am in charge of snacks for the Wild One's preschool class today. Thank goodness for Allrecipes.com that helped me produce these ...



They're pretty good! Here's the recipe ...

Banana Oat Muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed bananas

Directions:
1. Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla. Add the mashed banana, and combine thoroughly. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until just combined. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper bake cups, and divide the batter among them.
3. Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 18 to 20 minutes.

Tomorrow is a big day, not for me but for my parents. In April 2007, my parents decided to sell their house in NY. By then, the housing market was already in a decline. They were tired of the expensive cost of living and the high taxes and were looking for a slower pace. Dad is retired and mom works at home so there was no reason for them to stay in NY. My brother lives there still (and always will) and with me in VA, they thought Delaware would be a good midpoint. In May 2007, I went with my mom to DE to look at properties. We started in the north and headed south. Nothing panned out. We stopped for lunch somewhat defeated and planned to head home and consider what to do next. On the way back not far from where we'd stopped to eat, we came across a cute little development and made a split-second decision to check it out. I remember slamming on my brakes to stop. The homes were new construction, but adorable. Not huge McMansions, but open airy cottages. They were like the small single level homes I've seen a lot of in places like Florida. The area is a combination of farmland (which my dad loves) but modern convenience (which is what appeals to mom). It really was the PERFECT place for them and mom fell in love.

The following weekend, my parents went back together. Shortly thereafter, they signed a contract contingent on the sale of their house. Of course, with the housing market the way it is, the house did not sell despite all efforts. The builder wanted to sell the lot my parents chose, but the wonderful man who ran the sales office fought for them and they got to keep the lot. In September 2008, they FINALLY sold the NY house. It certainly wasn't a smooth sale, but it got done. After that, they bounced back and forth between my house, my brother's house, a rental in VT (where they have an awesome rustic cabin) and finally decided to rent close to the under construction house until the house was done. Well, the house is finally done and they are so excited to move in this weekend. I will be leaving my girls with Mr. T to go help them move. I've never been away from my girls overnight so I know I'm going to miss them to death but I'm also excited for my parents. They've sacrificed a lot and worked hard and deserve this. I wish I could post a picture of the new house, but all I have is a shutterfly slideshow that won't allow me to do it. I'll post pictures upon my return.

Have a good weekend!