Preschool and Pumpkin Bars.

Preschool. 

Jack had his very first day of preschool yesterday! 

How can this be? How is it possible that I already have a preschooler? How can it be that now I am the one taking the traditional first day of school-front porch picture?

Well, I do and I am and it is just crazy exciting and kinda sad that this time is already upon us!

Here is how our day went!

Spidey Jack woke up ready for his morning cartoons.

He requested Mickey Mouse blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

He then proceeded to shoot spiderwebs out of his hand at his Momma and brother while not eating these requested pancakes. Nerves!

Thankfully, it did not take much persuasion for the Spiderman costume to come off and the school clothes to go on complete with his huge, new back-pack. So cute.

And here goes the front-porch pics...

I knew when I saw this speech bubble chalk board, I had to make one for Jack's first day.

It's just tag board, chalkboard paint and chalk!

I was able to take Jack to school, just the two of us.

Here he is walking down to his little log cabin classroom in the woods!

When he realized I let go of his hand and was not right next to him anymore, he looked back at me in a little panic. Nerves!

We were the first ones there, which is so not our style.

But, it gave us both time for our nerves work there way out.

I think it worked because...

There Jackers goes off to play with the other kids. 

 

 Neither of us sad or scared or crying (okay maybe a tiny bit on my part), but just plain happy!

Pat picked him up at the end of the day and the teacher informed him that "Jack had a great first day!"  And from the little information we got out of Jackers himself, it sounds like he agrees!

Couldn't ask for more than that!

Now onto the pumpkin bars. 

That chill in the air is now upon us, the leaves are starting to change, and the temperatures are down into the 70's. Ahh...love it! So you know what that means....pumpkins!

I cannot remember how I came upon this recipe, but it was a few years ago.

These bars are so yummy, smooth, and simply perfection with the cream cheese frosting.

Warning: these are so not a healthy version of a pumpkin bar, but whatevs!

Harvest Pumpkin-Spice Bars

recipe from: Betty Crocker

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bars

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup butter softened

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups powder sugar

1. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 pan. In large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, pumpkin until smooth. Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger and cloves (I did not have these two things and they still tasted great). Spread in pan.

2. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 2 hours.

3. Add cream cheese frosting. You can also sprinkle with nuts or raisins. 

4. Store in refrigerator.

Enjoy!