Graduation Cap Recipe for School’s Out Celebration!

Cap off your child’s school year with a treat that fits the occasion–a chocolate mortarboard with a fruit-leather tassel. You may want to make enough to share with a few classmates. Bon-Apetit!

INGREDIENTS:

• Miniature peanut butter cups
• Frosting or peanut butter
• Chocolate-covered graham crackers
• Fruit leather

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place a miniature peanut butter cup, bottom up, on a plate. Top with a small dollop of frosting or peanut butter, then press on a chocolate-covered graham cracker.
2. For a tassel, tightly roll up a small square of fruit leather. Cut fringe on one end and attach the other end to the center of the graham cracker with another dab of frosting or peanut butter.

CHECK OUT LE TOP CHILDREN’S CLOTHING AT
www.letop-usa.com

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A Bollywood Pre-School Graduation

Lilah and one of her best friends, Daniel, in their performance costumes

Wow, my daughter graduated from pre-school a week ago. I can’t believe the time has gone by so fast. I don’t recall at her age having a formal graduation like the one at her school. Though she is continuing there next year, most of her classmates are older and moving on to a different kindergarten or to first grade, depending on their age or skill level.

When it came time to sign-up for photos of Lilah in her cap and gown, I opted out of the individual photo and instead went with the group one where she was photographed with three of her favorite classmates in their graduation gowns. I can’t believe how wonderful it turned out. This is by far the best photo I have of them. Given that these friends won’t be with her on a daily basis anymore it is a keepsake for Lilah and a reminder for me to set up those play dates!

After the heartfelt graduation ceremony, Lilah and 5 of her classmates (ages 3 1/2 -5 1/2) performed an Indian dance routine while wearing beautiful costumes (complete with bindis) dancing to a song I remember from Slumdog Millionaire. They were all so incredibly adorable. Lilah never once looked at any of her fellow dancers for cues on what to do (though you could see her brain working waiting for the music prompts). I know I’ve overused the word “proud,” but it so perfectly explains how I felt. Grandparents from both sides of the family were in attendance cheering her on. What a great day!

Over the last week she has shown me that same routine no less than ten times. I guess it’s time for some formal dance lessons. Maybe hip hop since I know my little tomboy will not wear tights!

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Graduation Time is Here!

Miranda proudly accepts her diploma in Le Top's Sweetheart Butterfly drop waist dress.

My daughter has passed another milestone… Kindergarten! The beginning of the 2009-2010 school year was a day to remember. I dropped off my baby in her classroom with other nervous little children who were sharing their first experience of school. Then the teacher shuffled out all the anxious parents and closed the door. It seemed like a long year full of homework, projects and field trips, but yet it also seemed like the first day of school was just yesterday. In a blink of an eye, I now have a first grader.

Has it really been a year since “Grajuration Day“?

This event was so much more different than graduating from preschool. First of all, these six-year olds are sassy and smart. They learned A LOT this year, not only in the classroom but also from their friends. There was so much attitude in the air, for many reasons:

1. It’s summertime, which means no more homework. They can stay up as late as they want and sleep in. (HA!)
2. Next year they are first graders which means they get to have two recesses, and they get to play on the big kids’ play structure.
3. There are cupcakes after the graduation.

As happy as this day was for the kids, it was bittersweet for the parents. I am happy that she did so well in school and has made a lot of friends, but I am sad that she’s growing up so fast. All I can do is take a mental photograph of this day and cherish it. Tomorrow is another day, and I’m sure summer will be a drag because she’ll be bored not seeing her friends every day and wonder why Mommy and Daddy are still working, and shouldn’t we all be on summer vacation.

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“Grajuration” Day!

Miranda in Vive Les Fleurs! from le•top's 2009 Fall collection

It’s the end of the school year, and for me it was a special one. My daughter graduated from Preschool!

Before I had children, I used to think that Preschool Graduation (or as my daughter calls it: “grajuration”) was a feeble event that parents made up to make something minor into something MAJOR. Well, I still think that, but now that it’s happening to my little girl, I’m all over it! It is a very big step for these little tykes to finish Preschool and go out into the world as accomplished, uh… Pre-Kindergarteners.

This morning, my daughter woke up and said, “I’m free! No more school! No more homework! No more waking up early! So… what are we doing today, Mommy?” (Ugh.) Well, she may be on summer vacation, but I’m still working. All summer long, I’m going to have to listen to her say, “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do!” How many more days until fall/back to school? 😉

Speaking of fall… Here’s a sneak peek from le•top’s 2009 Fall Collection: Miranda’s print knit dress from the Vive Les Fleurs! line is coming to stores near you  — in fact, the first of these dresses are leaving our warehouse and being shipped to stores this very week. The Giant Peach in Annapolis, MD is taking phone orders for this dress. Give Jean or Mary a call: 410-268-8776. Stay tuned for more fall sneak peeks!

le•top Vive Les Fleurs! print knit dress and matching tights available in 3mo - 6x.

And for all you parents with young “grads”… please share your event photos with us by clicking here. We’d love to feature your scholars!

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