back to school dinner

We had a special feast the night before the kids started back to school. This is a big year since Ella starts kindergarten. We invited both sets of grandparents and the youngest uncle for a nice sit down dinner.

We were busy getting ready the entire day.

Andrew and Ella made name cards for everyone...

and set the table...

Mr. Reader was busy...well, reading (although he did help set the table...to be sure he got to sit where he wanted and next to who he wanted)

This was the centerpiece we came up with...

We had crab legs for an appetizer (requested by the kids)...

and steak with mushrooms, broccoli and mashed potatoes for the main course served with sparkling cider for the kids, and wine of course for the adults.

and THIS was our dessert....

we were so excited to make it and got the idea from a magazine cover. Ella helped with it - crushing the oreos and spooning on the whipped cream (we made home made whipped cream and when that ran out we used cool whip). You just layer chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and crushed oreos...a little time consuming to layer them all in each dish so they look nice and pretty but so worth the end result and they were tasty!

It was a lovely meal and nice to spend some special time with the grandparents. A good time was had by all...

and Chris and I had everything cleaned up by about 9pm...not bad...



the bookbags were packed and all ready for the morning...


and the little kindergardener was looking forward to wearing her new shoes...