Preschool Graduation and Second Grade Awards....

Thursday was Mel's last day of Preschool and graduation was Thursday night.  She was just a little excited.  We had to go to B's awards program in the afternoon and as soon as we got home she was ready to put on her "beautiful dress" and even requested that I curl her hair. (the awards program was over at 3:00 and her graduation was at 6:00!)  I didn't know how well her hair would hold the curls because it is stick straight, but they did manage to stay in through the graduation.  I made her pose for a few pix before.  It was pretty windy outside so I held my breath and hoped that the crazy wind didn't make the curls fall.

 Jump!  All her idea and the perfect graduation photo op if you ask me!

 Again, these poses were all her idea and they had to be taken by this tree, so the lighting wasn't exactly in my favor...

 Graduation time!

 She had one awesome group of classmates!

 Legs crossed!  Such a little lady!

 The Pledge of Allegiance...

 Song time...

 As shy as this girl was at the beginning of the school year, I am amazed at how much she has changed in a year!  She sang every word and even did the motions!

 Now on to Kindergarten, which I'm sure she will love, but she already misses her teachers!

 Now for Miss B who is moving on to third grade.  The end of the school year is always pretty emotional for her...and me too.  I have a hard time grasping the fact that another year has passed and she always has a hard time leaving her teachers.  We have been blessed with great teachers every year so far!

 This girl, unlike her sister, doesn't like to get all "fancy" so most days this is how she is dressed, but that's okay.  Each kid deserves to be unique!

Now on to summer fun!

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp...

It's rhubarb season in the Midwest!  I'm not really a fan, but my husband loves it, so I bought a plant a couple years ago and it is finally producing enough to do something with.  I saw a recipe for Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp and decided to give it a whirl.  I thought if it included strawberries, then I might like it and I did!  I even made it with only rhubarb one time and it was still delicious.  When I have ripe strawberries in my garden, I'm going to try it with only strawberries.  If you do this just add 4 Cups of strawberries or rhubarb, whatever you choose to use instead of 2 cups of rhubarb and strawberries.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Rhubarb cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 Cups Strawberries (hulled and halved or quartered)
• 1/2 Cup sugar
• 1 Cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 Cup Old fashioned oats
• 1/3 Cup Sugar
• 1/3 Cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 Cup (1 stick) butter

Cooking Directions

Filling:
In a bowl, stir together the strawberries rhubarb and sugar.  Pour in a 2 qt. greased baking dish and set aside.
Topping: 

 Melt butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Stir in flour, oats, sugars, cinnamon and salt until well blended and moistened crumbs form. Spoon the mixture over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

B's First Communion....

B made her First Communion on Sunday.  She was excited, but did NOT want to wear a dress.  We compromised on the shoes.  She did NOT want to wear "dressy" shoes so we found a pair of tennis shoes with silver sequins.  She also wore lime green shorts under her dress.  Whatever works!  It took a little coaxing, but she did let me curl her hair.

 My favorite picture from the day!  Frame worthy;)

 Here is a close-up of the shoes.  She did agree to wear the ruffled socks...after some coaxing.  You can see here that the ruffles are still showing...

 After mass was over and they were taking the group photo, I realized she had rolled the ruffles under so no one could see them!

She didn't smile in this photo, but I decided to see how it would look in black and white.  Love!

Sisters...

 She was given the task of carrying up the hosts for communion.  She was a little nervous...

 Ready for communion...

 Receiving her Scapular (a scapular is a religious pendant of cloth worn under the clothing, which are usually adorned with the picture of a saint as a part of Roman Catholic devotion.)

 B and Aunt Lauren (her Godmother)...

 B with Andy...

 I wanted one family picture and this is what I got...

 B with Uncle "Skip" (her Godfather)...

 B with Papaw Tom and Grandma Colleen (Brad's parents)...

 B with Papaw Dave...

 B with Grandma Spaeth and Papaw Dave (My parents)...

 All the grandkids on my side of the family...

 One of the few pictures I have of Jo and me...

It was a great day and B is looking forward to having her second Communion tomorrow!  We are so thankful for all the family and friends who spent the day with us celebrating B!