Lembas Bread

I recently indulged my inner nerd and made these Mallorn Leaf Wrappers for my younger brother's birthday.

  He's heading off to college so we gifted him a backpack to lug his stuff around in, and as he's a big LOTR fan I thought it would be fun and symbolic to zip some "Lembas bread" (homemade granola bars, although I tried a scone-like recipe for the picture) inside.  A good excuse, right?  When I told my kids about them they wanted one too, so I had to make us all one.  Mitch is totally excited to take them on his next hike with friends and break them out when everyone's strength is flagging.

First Week of Summer

What have we been doing for the first week of summer?

Well, we kicked it off with cake pops.

I had made them for teachers' gifts and, well, just to celebrate the start of summer vacation.

The kids painted t-shirts using the freezer paper technique (google it if you're confused).

Brandt's been busy with his Nesquik commercials.  Not really, but he could, right?

We had a great Memorial Day barbecue with friends and family after Mitch did a big hike with the guys.  I made these cupcakes, and mmm, they were fantabulous.

This was a fun collaborative art project.

We've had our first Saturday Store as part of our summer program, where the kids get to spend their points.  In this picture Caleb is getting ready to leave for Cub Scout day camp, hence the sunscreen.

We're loving the fruits and vegetables of the season.

And look!  My tomatoes are getting ripe!

Summer is off to a good start!