The Graduate...Part Two

It's that time of year again...recitals, school awards ceremonies, closing ceremonies at the ball fields.....and........

Graduation!

That's right, folks! Austyn-Baby gradulated from pre-k!! Do you know what that means?? Well, I'll tell you what it means. It means we now have two school-aged kids!

She did such a great job at the ceremony!

She was given the responsibility of opening the ceremony with by reciting The Lord's Prayer.  She did beautifully!

You can listen to her here.

It was even more special because that is the same role Gannon had in last year's graduation ceremony.  I am so proud of both of these kiddos!

 

*This was Gannon at his graduation last year.*

Here are a few photos and videos from the ceremony.

Here, Austyn is introducing herself to the audience.  You can listen here.

Here are the kids performing "Miss J."

There is something that is just not right about seeing this little girl in a cap and gown!  My, how she has grown :)

She is so proud of herself!  That little foot stayed in the air the whole time I was taking her picture!  Priss-Pot!

Mimi came to watch her "gradulate!"  It's a good thing she did, because that freed our hands to video and take pictures!

Oh, Gannon ;)

Here is the gradulate displaying her pre-k portfolio.

Mrs. Monika has been so great to us the last three years!  I am really sad Mia won't get the chance to know her. 

The obligatory family photo :)

My sweet girl!!

Here are a couple of side-by-sides of last year and this year.  I am really frustrated that I can't make them bigger.  If you are having trouble seeing them, go to the actual blog and click on the photos to enlarge them.

 

 

If you  want to see more photos of Gannon from his ceremony, you can click here. 

Graduation Slide Show 2

Austyn Elisabeth will be participating in a pre-k graduation at the end of the month.  Yes, I said graduation.  I know what you are thinking....She's much too young!  Actually, she will be five this summer!  That's right, my friends.  She's graduating...or as she calls it, gradulating. 

We were asked to provide photos of the kiddos for a slide show that will play throughout the ceremony, and I thought you might like to see the photos we chose.



Homework, Already?

We went to Gannon's school for Meet 'n Greet last week.  We were able to meet his teacher, see his classroom, drop off his supplies, etc, etc...Oh, and fill out TONS of paperwork!

In the folder that was sent home with him was his first homework assignment.  His school mascot is a Bobcat, and their colors are (are you ready for this??) PURPLE and GOLD!! 

His assignment was to decorate a bobcat paw and send it back to school.  For some reason, he was given two paws, so Austyn was able to join in on the fun!

You know we couldn't leave out the baby girl!

GEAUX Bobcats!!

Let's just hope he continues to be excited about homework! :)

One Down, Thirty-Five to Go!

I knew this day was coming.  I knew it.  I told myself I was ready.  I thought I was.  I really did.  Who was I kidding?

Who knows what I am talking about?

Yep!

Gannon started Kindergarten!!

How are we here already?  Isn't he just a baby??

Does this make anyone else tear up?  No?  Just me?  Okay.  Off to Kindergarten we go!

 

I have to say, I did really well the first two days. Bryan and I walked him in the first day. We got to see his classroom and all his little friends. We were able to help him put his lunch away and put his backpack in his locker. We were able to do it all together.

The second day, I walked him in again. I wanted to be sure one last time that he knew how to get to his classroom. Okay, let's be real...I didn't want to let go!

The third day, I asked him if he was ready to walk to class by himself.  He excitedly replied, "Yes!  You just walk me to the door, and I can get to my classroom all by myself!"  Then I explained that I would just drive through the drop-off line and he would get out all by himself and go to class.

 

"Yes, Mama, yes!!"

 



 

He had a great first day!  And first week!!  He has made a few new friends, and even recognized an old friend from his day care!  He loves Art, Music, and P.E.

Every day when I pick him up, I ask about his day.  Friday, his response was, "Aw, MAMA!!!  It's the same thing every. single. DAY!!!"

 

He is growing up so fast!!  And he is so independent! I mean really...he may as well move out because he doesn't need me for much anymore ;)

 

One week down, thirty-five to go!  I think this is going to be a great year!!

 

Homemade Granola Bars

Did you know school is starting Monday?  I was blissfully unaware of just how close the approaching school year was until last week.  Maybe it's because all I could think of was a certain lemonade stand birthday party, who knows.  I didn't realize how quickly Gannon's time as a preschooler was diminishing, or how unprepared I am for school to start!

He is ready, okay who am I kidding, he is more than ready to start school.  As happy as I am that he is excited and really going to love it, part of me just wants to keep him home a little longer.  Why do they have to grow up so fast??

This weekend, I have been racking my brain to find suitable lunches and snacks to send with him to school.  Add to the fact that he is one of the pickiest eaters on the planet, their school district is peanut free.  This obviously means no peanuts, peanut butter, etc.  But it also means nothing that was processed on equipment that may have come into contact with peanuts or any other tree nuts.  Not so easy.  That eliminates his favorite lunch, peanut butter and jelly, and two of his favorite snacks, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip granola bars.  I've got to get creative.

I found this recipe on Pinterest for homemade granola bars, so I thought I would give them a world.  I made a couple of changes based on what I had on hand in the pantry.  This is what we got.

 

 

These were so easy to make, and they didn't take long either!  The recipe makes 24 bars, and they freeze well.  I plan to just take one out in the morning before school and toss it into his lunch box.  That way, it's ready at lunch time, and I only have to make them once a month....if I don't sneak into the freezer while he's at school ;)

 

So here's what you need:

 

2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ (I didn't have any, and they came out fine, however, it's on the list for next time)
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup honey
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried sour cherries, chopped (I didn't have cherries, so I used raisins)
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I only had semi-sweet morsels)
3/4 cup slivered almonds (obviously, I had to omit this)

 

And here's what you do:

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a square baking dish with parchment paper.

 

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla.

 

Mix well using your hands, add in raisins (or other dried fruit), and chocolate chips (and almonds, if you're using them). Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden around the edges. Cool on wire rack for about 30 minutes before cutting. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting or they will crumble.  I used a pizza cutter, and it worked great!

Store the bars in an air tight container, or freeze.

The moment of truth:

 

 We have a winner!!

And there you have it!  Homemade chocolate chip raisin granola bars :)