End of another school year

So, it's May and another school year is drawing to an end... It has really flown by once again. This morning I attended Avery's awards ceremony that her three teachers do for their classes only so it's really special and they talk alot about each child. Avery has been in a program called Project CHILD since kindergarten in which each grade has a homeroom teacher, but they also rotate to the other two teachers for different subjects. We have been really blessed with such a great group of teachers. Each year I like to show my appreciation for them with an end of the year gift and with having to do whatever I choose times three, I have to consider the cost factor, too. I usually like to involve Avery in making at least part of the gift or writing a card - something that is from her, too. This year I found these cute flower pens that were about $10 each in a gift shop and I just bought some inexpensive clay pots and let Avery paint them and write each teacher's name on them. Then I added some candies to the bottom and I think they turned out really cute! I brought them to the school today for Avery to give her teachers and they all loved them!

I also made cards for each teacher specific to the subjects they teach which I think turned out super cute, too! I have actually been making alot of cards lately and I'm really enjoying it. I have tons of scrapbook stuff and cards are a great way to use up miscellaneous stickers that you wouldn't have enough of to use on a page but are perfect for a card. And with most cards at the store costing at least two dollars (and more!) I figure I'm saving money, too!

Avery received nine awards, but I have to say the most special one was the "Measuring-Up Award". Only six kids out of all three classes together got this one. The teachers described the children who they gave this award to as ones who are always on task, good leaders and never any trouble. I would have to say I was pretty dern proud of my sweet Avery today!

Granola

So, Hannah and I often refer to people who are very "natural" as "granola". To use it in a sentence we might say, "She's so granola she crunches when she walks." Not that being natural is a BAD thing - as we all know the whole world is "going green." It's just kind of hard to break those bad habits we have and try new things that might be (okay ARE) better for us, the environment, etc.
Anyway, I have been following a lovely woman's blog for a while now named MckMama. If any of you do too, you know that she is what I would classify as Granola - BIG TIME!!! She's into exclusive breastfeeding for the first YEAR of life, cloth diapers, drinking RAW milk, washing with goat's milk soap, really healthy eating and on and on. She's also really cool, witty, a great photographer and a really strong Christian who has been through such an ordeal with her youngest son's health recently. She inspired me to try a new recipe and let's just say it didn't go so well.
She often talks about eating hummus and while I love the store bought version (I usually buy Sabra brand - Roasted Pine Nut flavor) I've never made it myself. She posted the recipe about a week ago on her blog and I gathered all the necessary ingredients today at Publix - including ORGANIC chickpeas. I also bought carrot chips and sugar snap peas to use as my dippers instead of crackers. I KNOW!! So, this morning after I got everything put away I broke out my (okay Hannah's that I have on an extended loan agreement) Food Processor and got to pureeing up some hummus! So far, not so good. The flavor is alright, but the texture is way too runny. Not the smooth, creamy store brand texture I'm used to. It is chilling in the refrigerator right now and I'm hoping that will help it thicken or else it's headed straight for the garbage disposal!
Anyway, I am trying to be more environmentally friendly overall. I have a LONG way to go, but I have been consistently using my canvas grocery bags and I have to say that it is so much better because the hold a TON more than those flimsy plastic bags. I also do buy some organic foods - mostly dairy and it tastes so much better!! I have changed most of our light bulbs out to the CFL ones that use less energy, too. Simple things that make a difference in the long run. But just let me set the record straight - there will be no cloth diapering going on in this house! Sorry, it just ain't gonna happen!! I am thinking of trying some of her suggestions for more natural cleaning methods. All those chemicals can't be good for us. I'll post on that if I get better results that the hummus!