Paul Blart Mall Cop

Kayla is excited that her cousin, Raini Rodriguez is a co-star in the movie "Paul Blart Mall Cop" (Columbia Pictures). Kayla plans to attend a Red Carpet Premiere in Raini's home town January 16, 2009 (opening day). Kayla wants an autograph from her own cousin (who she admires). Raini will be attending a red carpet screening event and will sign autographs for her fans.

Audition Tape: "Their Finest Hour" screenplay by Director Peter Brunner

Kayla auditions for the role of "Marcella" in "Their Finest Hour", a screenplay written and directed by Director Peter Brunner. The shoot takes place in California February 2008. The project will also be overseen by Director/Producers John Watson and Michael Watkins. Plans are to turn this 30 minute short into a feature film.

Feeling Great!

Kayla has a lead speaking role at her 3rd grade school play. She enjoyed practicing and preparing for her debut. The event was attended by 500 parents.

Jack-O Lantern Time with Kayla and Kenna

Kayla and sister Kenna carve their first pumpkin.

"Fireproof" the Movie

Kayla (8) and Kenna (5) attend the opening day of "Fireproof" (www.FireproofTheMovie.com) - see the movie trailer. They were big fans of "Facing the Giants" (www.FacingTheGiants.com) and welcomed many of the characters who appeared in "Fireproof" fondly. This film has many special moments and humorous situations.

This is absolutely a beautiful story and great for the whole family. It demonstrates the reality of marriage and ultimately how God heals a marriage. It was great for kids to see that their parents really do love each other and that there will be trials. It also demonstrates for young girls, how to select a husband in the future. Through care and diligence.

Whacky 10-minute Meals: Fresh Trout Filet for Breakfast

Fresh Trout for Breakfast

PARENTAL SUPERVISION REQUIRED

Kayla expands her cooking horizon. She and her father went to the grocery store where they purchased fresh trout. They searched the web to discover a YouTube video that explained how to filet the fish properly and also found instructions on how to cook the fish. They changed up their findings to create their own recipe. The four fish pictured here fed 3 adults and 2 children.

Ingredients and Tools Needed:
4 - fresh trout, gutted with head and tail intact (rainbow preferred)
1/2 cup - fish fry corn meal
3 tbsp. of Blackened Seasoning
1 cup of Canola Oil for Frying
2 - large skillets (fry one fish in each)
1- filet knife
1 - large cutting board
1- serated knife to cut bones
1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 - food glaze brush
3 large plates - 1 for the fish, 1 for oil application, and 1 for breading
Lot's of attention and supervision with child and patience

Parental Supervision Required: Kayla Filets Her Trout

Kayla first reviewed the YouTube video below:



This process was rather straight forward. Make sure your knives are sharp prior to cutting. Create a clean work station with plenty of room. Clean area as you go. Kayla's dad actually stood behind Kayla as she fileted her first fish, guiding her through process, step by step. Have fun. The kids enjoyed playing with the fish heads and touching the fish.

Kayla Applies Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Trout Filets

Pre-heat your skillets to 5 or 6 on your stove dial or medium heat. 1/2 cup of Canola Oil in each skillet. Now brush on olive oil on your fish as pictured. For this step, we advised Kayla to "paint her fish" with oil, something she already knew how to do.

Kayla Breads the Trout Filet, Corn Meal and Blackened Seasoning mix 6:1 Mixture

Mixed your breading thoroughly. Roughly 6 parts fish fry meal to 1 part blackened seasoning or to taste. Notice the separate plate for the breading. Place dry breading in plate and put fish face down onto breading (no need to bread the back, you don't eat the skin and don't see that part).

Delicious Trout Frying in Canola Oil

Fry fish face down first and then flip (average 3 to 5 minutes per side). Use two spatulas to flip (one under the fish and one on top to keep it from breaking up).

Pan Fried Trout Ready to Serve

Now serve your fish with your favorite condiments (i.e., tartar sauce, lemon, or cocktail sauce).

Kids love to experiment and there is enough time in this process to let them explore, ask questions, and try something new. We absolutely enjoyed this fish and plan on trying other recipes which can be found on-line.

Whacky 10-minute Meals: Fruit Ambrosia a la Kayla

Saturday Morning: Kayla stirs the Fruit Ambrosia

Kayla is on her journey to discovering how to eat right. Her parents have "banned" certain foods in the home which has been a shock in the household, but she and her sister have adjusted well. How? Through creative discovery of food. Kayla's parents involve her in the shopping decisions, planning meals, and recipes. This Saturday morning Kayla selected the fruit that complimented a well-balanced breakfast.

Fruit Amborsia a la Kayla Recipe:

Ingredients

1/4 - cantalope, skinned, seeded, and chopped in 1/2" chunks
5 - strawberries quartered (remove stem green)
8 - 10 white grapes, halved
8 - 10 red grapes, halved
8 - 10 purple grapes, halved
1 - whole red grapefruit, pealed, separated and halved
1 - whole organic plum, seeded and chopped 1/2" chunks
1 - whole peach, seeded and chopped 1/2" chunks
2 - berry/melon "Go Gurt" yogurt strips (come in popsicle-like strips)

Instructions:

Wash fruit thoroughly. Mix all fruit in decorative crystal bowl or other unique container. Mix in "Go Gurt" and serve on chilled dessert plates (small bowl or plate).

Save leftovers and blend in blender, add honey to taste, or fat free ice cream to serve as a smoothie later in the day (slightly freeze or chill before serving). If leftovers are slim, then add more of each fruit (or to strengthen flavor add more of your favorite fruit).

Healthy eating tip:

Do your kids love sodas? Try mixing one 1/3 to 1/2 ratio carbonated club soda to their drink to dilute the fructose content. You can also add soda to their fruit drink to make your own homemade coke. Finally, you can create your own sodas with fruits by juicing (recommend a juicing machine for this application) and adding organic sugar or splenda to the mixture to sweeten to taste. Kids will love the experimentation.