Graduation Book

My son will be graduating from preschool tomorrow... sniff, sniff. OK, SOB, SOB! I wanted to do something small, but special and significant for him. Here's what I came up with up:

I obviously blurred my kids' names :)

Every year, I am going to get a copy of their favorite book. On the inside cover, I will write a note and include their school picture. 

I think it's a fun way to remember some of the important details that we often forget. And it's a neat way to build a special keepsake library (with REAL books) for each child.

Cashew Butter

Combine (according to your blender's directions):

• 3 cups cashews
• 1 Tbsp. Canola Oil

This is a great way to change up your PB&J sandwiches. The kids LOVE it!

**We have smoothies every morning. This resulted in us burning out the motor in our blender every 6-8 months. (For the record, I NEVER bought cheap ones. So frustrating!) I finally broke down and purchased the Vitamix 5200. It was worth every penny. I signed up for their newsletter and purchased mine when they were offering a special.

Blueberry Smoothie

Blueberry Smoothie

• 1 frozen banana (I buy large bunches at Sam's. I usually have one bunch on my counter ripening and another in the freezer individually wrapped and ready to go.)
• 1/3 cup yogurt (I use Stonyfield Low Fat French Vanilla - if you are paying over $4 for this, find it somewhere else.)
• 1 large or 2 small pineapple spears (I also buy these at Sam's)
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 3 small ice cubes
• 1/2 cup juice (I use V8 Fusion Pomegranate Blueberry - also from Sam's)
• a splash of water (adjust to get the texture you like)

Throw it in your blender and enjoy!

A few years ago, one of my sisters suggested that I make a smoothie for breakfast. Every morning I was grabbing something quick that usually contained grains of some sort. I was always starving before lunch and feeling sluggish. I experimented with some ingredients and this is what I came up with.

The kids and I have this every morning. Yes, every morning. Remember, I have OCD... order and consistency work well for me. :) Besides it's healthy; it's quick and easy; and it's delicious. The kids have some other breakfast goodness as well. What they don't drink goes into the fridge. They often finish it up after dinner.