Garlic Knots

In Arizona we have a favorite pizza joint called NYPD. The first thing that we order is garlic knots. I am happy I have found an alternative to make in the home!

My son scarfed down 2 before dinner and I think I ate 5 myself. This recipe is quick, easy, and satisfying!

Garlic Knots

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serving Size: 6 - 8 people

Ingredients:

1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons grated parmesan
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 - 16 ounce tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a small bowl mix together butter, parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, parsley, and salt. Set aside.
3. Break all the biscuits in half to make 16 pieces. Roll each half into a rope, tie into a knot and tuck in the ends.
4. Place the knots onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Brush the top of each knot with half of the butter mixture.
6. Place baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8 - 10 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
7. Brush the remaining butter mixture on top of the knots and serve!

Adapted from: Damn Delicious

Easter Nests

Happy Easter from my family to yours! We are off to eat some Dunkin Donuts before heading to church at the University of Phoenix Stadium! Then if all goes well a surprise when we are done!

We decided to make a treat in spirit of the holiday. My oldest asked if we could take them with us to church today. My heart was filled with joy with her sweet thought. Sadly I had to tell her sorry honey we do not have enough to share with the 1,000's of people that are attending.

I hope that you will enjoy it as much as we do!

 

Easter Nests

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serving Size: roughly 21

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter
1 - 10oz package of mini marshmallows
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
4 cups chow mein noodles
candy eggs (I used M&M's)

Instructions:

1. In a large sauce pan over medium heat melt the butter and marshmallows until they are smooth.
2. Add in the peanut butter and chocolate. Stir until everything is melted and mixed together.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the chow mein.
4. After the mixture has cooled slightly work small amounts on wax paper to make little nests.
5. Fill with 2 - 3 candy eggs.
6. Cool and then enjoy!

Store in an air tight container.

Fridays Lunch

This week has been crazy busy with work, school, family in town, and just normal every day life. Sorry I am a day behind on Friday's lunch post, but I have always been told late is better than never.

The girls mainly took the peanut butter, banana, honey, cinnamon sandwiches for lunch this week (they were a major hit in this house). On Friday I decided it was time to change it up a little for them.

The girls took brown sugar ham slices, Babybel cheese, fruit salad (cantaloupe, apples, and grapes), carrots and celery, my oldest had a hard boiled egg, orange, and a chocolate chip muffin. For snacks they took pretzels (my younger daughter had the raspberry yogurt pretzels).

 

Recipe for the  Peanut Butter, Banana, Honey, and Cinnamon Sandwich

 

Recipe for the Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Man you can tell your a mom when your first time sitting since work is at 9 pm and it is your time to write on your blog / try to watch your show. Every minute of the day is worth it to spend time with my little loves.

I was ecstatic when my oldest asked if we could bake together this afternoon (before she sent me outside in our 95 degree spring to grill dinner). It is a major change going from a 3 year old helper to a 10 year old who can do everything without needing my help. She did a great job with our dessert. We ate half of them before bed! Well we actually made some mini ones to share with the 3 neighborhood families we play with every day. I can not wait to taste her next master piece in the kitchen.

 

 

Chocolate Chip Muffins:

 

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 36 minutes

Total Time: 46 minutes

Serving Size: 24 muffins

 

Ingredients:

 

2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt



1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 10 ounce package of dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line muffin tray with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then set aside.
3. In a large bowl mix together butter, sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
4. Blend in half of the dry ingredients at a time until well blended.
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Pour batter into cupcake liners filling to 3/4's full.
7. Bake for 5 minutes at 425 degrees. Then turn the oven down to 375 degrees for 10-13 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out of the center clean and tops are golden.
8. Let cool on a cooling rack.
9. Enjoy!

Pepsi BBQ Chicken - Crockpot Recipe

Today was a busy day running errands and we visited with my friends new baby while the girls were in school. So dinner had to work itself tonight while we were at dance class. I personally love simple crockpot meals on eventful days.

This recipe takes 3 ingredients to make. I don't think it gets any simpler than that!

 

 

Pepsi BBQ Chicken

 

Prep time:  2 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 32 minutes

Serving Size: 3 - 4 people

 

Ingredients:

 

2 pounds of chicken

18 - 20 ounces of your favorite BBQ sauce (We love Famous Dave's BBQ Sauce)

6 ounces of a can of Pepsi

 

Instructions:

 

1. Place chicken in covered crockpot for 3 hours (my crock pot cooks very quickly so I have to place mine on low, but if yours does not place the crockpot on high).

2. Once the chicken has cooked for 3 hours drain any juice from the crockpot.

3. Mix together BBQ sauce and Pepsi

4. Pour BBQ mixture over the chicken and cook for 30 additional minutes.

5. Serve and Enjoy!

Peanut Butter, Banana, Honey, and Cinnamon Sandwich

Have you been trying to find a sandwich that your kids will beg you for a second one? Well I think I found that one today! My middle daughter actually had seconds and both girls have requested it for their lunches tomorrow. I love when they devour what I make them!

Peanut Butter, Banana, Honey, and Cinnamon Sandwich

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Bread
Banana
Peanut Butter
Honey
Cinnamon
Butter

Instructions:

1. Butter one side of two pieces of bread.
2. Place the buttered side down on a large skillet or a griddle.
3. Before warming up add the peanut butter to both sides, sliced bananas to one side with honey swirled on top, and cinnamon on the other side.
4. Turn stove onto low-medium heat and toast to your liking.
5. Enjoy!

Hamburger Seasoning

This has been a long busy weekend, so I thought going back to the basics would be great for dinner! I have had the hamburgers chilling in the fridge for a few hours with the seasoning sprinkled all over the top. Can not wait to sit down with a scrumptious burger while enjoying our Sunday night show as a family!

 

Hamburger Seasoning

 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Serving Size: 6-8 burgers depending on how seasoned you like your burgers

 

Ingredients:



1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
a pinch of black pepper
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

Instruction:

1. Mix all the seasoning together in a small bowl.
2. Sprinkle on top of each burger.

* I  always top off my burgers with some Worstershire sauce before placing them in the fridge to soak in the ingredients.

* If you would like a little more kick put in 1/2 a teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

Enjoying the Sun

The sun is shining! It is almost 90 degrees outside, but the kids begged to come out to ride their bikes, scooters and roller blades (each kids is into a different one). We are loaded up on ice cold water and a revamped version of the peanut butter apples.

Today I melted the peanut butter and drizzled it all over the apple slices before sprinkling mini chocolate chips on top. The girls are hovered by the basketball hoop eating up every last drop.

Saturday Nights In My House

After 8 hours of work is when my day really begins on Saturday. We took a nice bike ride around a couple of neighborhoods to end back at the park by our house. The kids played with 3 different families for 3 hours. I love how they range from 2 years old to 10 years old, a mixture of boys and girls and all the kids get along!

During the night a couple friends of the girls came over and we opened up a science lab in our kitchen to complete the 4th grade science fair project. My counter is lined with 7 Christmas colored cups full of some form of liquid and 1 gummy bear in each. The girls keep peering into each cup to see the transformation of the bear.

Once the kids had dinner in their tummies and their movie of choice (they picked Into the Woods again because of their school play) I began to work on the swaddle my friend purchased. I think the grey fabric really makes the purple pop! I hope the gift is loved!

 

How do you spend your Saturday nights?

Ending the Week Right

The weekend has finally arrived! Time to get ready for another weekend packed with additional children coming in and out of our door! It is only 4:30 pm on Friday and I have had two additional young ladies playing school at my house with my girls. Their laughter brings a smile to my face!

We couldn't start the weekend off right without a healthy lunch to fill their bellies in school today. The girls took a brown sugar ham sandwich with an orange, cottage cheese, carrots & celery, and a fruit salad. Snacks for the day are raspberry yogurt pretzels with honey sesame sticks.

The girls have informed me that they are not too fond of the honey sesame sticks, so I am back to the drawing board on new ideas to keep them wanting more. I guess I will check to see what Fry's has tonight when we go pick up Into the Woods.

Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Chicken - Crockpot Recipe

Well, once again my 3 year old son climbed on top of the island and helped me whip up a delicious meal for our family. He loves to pour all the ingredients in and stir. I can not complain he is an amazing helper.

I have to say this recipe came out mouth watering! I can not wait to eat the left overs tomorrow for lunch!

Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Chicken - Crockpot Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 - 6 hours depending on your crock pot
Serving Size: 4 - 6 people

Ingredients:

2 pounds chicken breast
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix together sage, salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.
2. Pour 1/2 cup water in slow cooker. Place chicken breast in slow cooker and sprinkle the seasonings over the top of the chicken breasts.
3. Cook 3 - 5 hours on low.
4. At the 3rd - 5th hour (depending on your slow cooker) in a small sauce pan mix together the brown sugar, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, water and soy sauce over medium heat for 4 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
5. Pour the brown sugar glaze all over the chicken breasts and cook for an additional hour.
6. Shred into pieces and enjoy!

Healthy School Lunches

I use to have a pantry full of prepackaged food that was quick and easy for me to whip up a lunch. I thought I was helping my family out because I could be done in a jiffy or they could easily get something when they were hungry. It took a long time for me to realize that I was just throwing away my money, my kids were coming home hungry from school, and I wasn't showing them the benefit of proper eating.

It has now been 2 years since I cleared out our pantry and started fresh. I am not saying there is no junk food in our home...we just made major changes. The shelf that use to have 10 different styles of Doritos chips now has barkTHINS, Snapeas Crisps, and one bag of tortilla chips. Our baskets that use to hold granola bars and gummies now have pretzels, a variety of nuts, and edamames. We use to have an abundance of cereals because I could get them for $0.50-$1, but now we have dwindled them down to a few. Yes, we still have fun kids cereals, but we also have a variety of flavors of Cheerios (Chocolate, Peanut Butter, etc). My baking shelves have gone from prepackaged goodies to ingredients for us to make them from scratch.

We didn't just revamp our pantry we also cleared out the fridge to make room for fruits and vegetables the children like (and the adults). I am slowly trying different fruits and vegetables with them in hopes to find a larger variety they will eat. We branched off to Almond Milk for the 2 younger kids. My daughter I think enjoys it because it is already premade chocolate milk and my son is lactose intolerant. We also purchase one container of carb free milk every 2 weeks for him to be able to enjoy cereal. Our cheese drawer seems to keep multiplying with new flavors (we always have cheddar for the little man).

It may not sound like much, but these small steps have really changed our lives. My kids are healthier, the girls come home from school with full bellies that last until dinner time, they all have more energy (ok sometimes this is a negative for us moms), and the girls have told me countless stories about kids trying to trade them junk food for their healthy food. Who would have thought that children actually enjoy eating properly?

I am so proud of them for joining me in becoming healthier. I know the first week of no chips and gummies was a little traumatizing, but they have not complained since then.

As a family we will continue on our journey to live healthy lives! Yes, we splurge with homemade treats, but they no longer control our lives or our bank account.

Today in our Anna & Elsa and Pink Plaid lunch boxes the girls took peanut butter and honey sandwiches with carrots and celery, apples and grapes, applesauce, Babybel cheese, and a Halo orange. For a snack they took 5 yogurt covered cranberries with cinnamon roasted almonds.

Chocolate Lava Cake

My son and I secretly made lava cake today while the girls were doing their homework. They did not even know that it was in the crock pot until I served them. I love when we can have fun little surprises that bring a smile to everyone (and their bellies).

This dessert is prefect with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge!

Chocolate Lava Brownie

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes - 3 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 box chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker super moist dark chocolate cake mix)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 Jell-O instant sugar-free chocolate pudding (3.9 oz)
2 cups milk
1 bag of dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Line 3 - 4 quart crock pot with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl mix together cake mix, 1 1/4 cups milk, vegetable oil and eggs for 3 minutes or until well mixed.
3. Pour cake mix into lined crock pot.
4. In a medium bowl mix instant pudding and 2 cups of milk for 4 minutes.
5. Pour pudding on top of cake mix. Do not stir!!
6. Sprinkle the bag of dark chocolate chips on top of the pudding. Do not stir!!
7. Cover the crock pot and cook for 2 hours and 30 minutes. *Some crock pots cook a little slower so it may take up to 3 hours and 30 minutes.*
8. Enjoy! Top it off with your favorite ice cream and toppings!

Back From Spring Break

Well spring break seemed to just fly by again this year. Two more months and it will finally be summer break! I know that my younger daughter is ready to be able to sleep in every day, but my oldest would go to school year around if she could.

 

 

Lunch for Monday consisted of a Ham and mayonnaise sandwich with carrots / broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, apples, grapes and an orange. The girls took pretzels and a piece of barkTHINS dark chocolate pumpkin seed with sea salt for a snack. 

Peanut Butter Bananas with Dark Chocolate

I whipped up some snacks for my son to have tomorrow. He will be surprised to see all his favorites in one yummy snack!

Sorry we live in Arizona, so the chocolate does not stay frozen very long (Yes it is March and our AC is already on because of the heat).

Peanut Butter Bananas with Dark Chocolate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Banana
Peanut Butter
Dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

I only used one banana because it was a quick snack. You can make as many of the little bites as you would like.

1. Melt dark chocolate.
2. Slice banana into round pieces.
3. Spread peanut butter on the top of one banana slice and then cover peanut butter with another banana slice.
4. Dip into melted dark chocolate until one side or the whole thing is coated (your choice).
5. Place on lined cookie sheet.
6. Freeze for 1 hour before eating.
7. Enjoy!

Brownie Cookies

I believe that I have mentioned that we love brownies in this house. Tonight the thought of brownies sounded delicious, but I wanted a different twist on it. I whipped up some brownie cookies and now the house smells amazing!

My girlfriend wasn't home to be my taste tester, so I dropped a plate off to her husband. I hope there is still one left for her in the morning...he was letting all the neighborhood kids try them.

Brownie Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup Nestle cocoa powder
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup softened unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 package chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl stir together Nestle cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Then set aside.
3. In a large bowl beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, then blend well.
5. Pour half of the cocoa / flour mixture in at a time. Ensure that it is fully mixed.
6. Stir in the bag of chocolate chips.
7. On a baking sheet place rounded one inch balls of dough.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool on a baking raking.
10. Enjoy with a glass of cold milk!

Cheese Ravioli

Last night we whipped up some homemade ravioli (my oldest daughters favorite food). They are quick and easy to whip up.

I used the homemade marinara sauce to top it off. If you are looking to cook a little quicker you can use your favorite store bought sauce.

Cheese Ravioli

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

26-27 jumbo pasta shells
1 large egg
30 ounces ricotta cheese
2 pinches of salt
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. Cook shells according to packaging instructions to al dente. Once cooked drain and let cool.
2. Preheat oven to 360 degrees.
3. In a medium bowl beat medium egg.
4. Add ricotta cheese and salt to bowl. Mix well.
5. Combine shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped green onions to the bowl. Stir all ingredients until fully mixed.
6. In a 9 x 13 dish spread 1/3 of the mozzarella sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
7. In the cooled shells fill the centers with the ricotta mixture.
8. Arrange the layers in a single layer on top of the marinara sauce.
9. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Check the ravioli at 5 minutes to make sure the shells do not overcook.
12. Enjoy!

The marinara sauce recipe I used can be found at: http://www.heelstohomecookedmeals.blogspot.com/2015/03/marinara-sauce.html.

Marinara Sauce

My 3 year old son helped me whip up some marinara sauce tonight. He is doing very well with telling me when I have reached the correct measurement and loves to pour the ingredients into whatever we are making that day.

Marinara Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 of a medium white onion
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
1/4 cup basil
2 tablespoons parsley
2 teaspoons oregano
2 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Chop the onion into small pieces.
3. Add the chopped onion to the saucepan and sauté for 5 minutes (they should be translucent and soft).
4. Add garlic and continuously stir for one minute.
5. Add basil, parsley, and oregano and stir continuously for one minute.
6. Pour in the two cans of diced tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir all the ingredients together until nicely mixed.
7. Mash the diced tomatoes thoroughly and bring the sauce to a boil.
8. When the sauce begins to boil reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
9. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir.
10. Enjoy the sauce!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter Frosting - Frozen Themed Snowflake

This recipe can be used for any cupcakes. I just turned my icing blue and set them up in the shape of a snowflake for my daughters Frozen themed party.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter Frosting

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes per batch
Total Time: 1 hour (I had 3 batches)
Serving Size: 30 cupcakes

Ingredients for Cupcakes:

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

Ingredients for Icing: This is a double batch of the frosting below to ensure enough for all the cupcakes. I frosted mine a little light.

2/3  cup butter
9 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup of milk
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions for Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl stir together cocoa, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then set aside.
3. In a large bowl mix egg, sugar, brown sugar, oil and vanilla until it is smooth.
4. Pour 1/2 of the dry ingredients and 1/2 of the buttermilk into the wet ingredients. Blend together.
5. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk. Mix until everything is fully blended together.
6. Pour or spoon the batter into the liners. Fill the liners halfway to avoid spilling.
7. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let cupcakes fully cool before icing.

Instructions for Icing:

1. In a bowl beat butter until it is fluffy.
2. Gradually add 4 1/2 cups of sugar and beat well.
3. Slowly beat in milk and the vanilla.
4. Add in remaining sugar and beat slowly until the spreading is consistent.
5. Put a few drops of food coloring in if you would like to add color.
6. Spread onto cooled cupcakes.

Frozen Themed Blue Margarita

The kids had a blue themed drink for the party, so why not the adults too? Of course it had to be something blue and yummy to drink!

I took the name from another drink that I found. Thinking of unique Frozen themed drink names is not my specialty.

The name tag is printed from: http://eng.ohmyfiesta.com/2014/02/frozen-free-printable-cards-or-party.html?m=1. I copied the picture I was interested in and placed it in Microsoft Word. Then I made a text box to add the wording.

 

Blue Margarita
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serving Size: 12 drinks

Ingredients:

600 ml lime juice
900 ml silver tequila
475 ml blue curacao liqueur
250 ml agave nectar (or to taste)
coarse salt for the rim of the glass is optional

Instructions:

1. Chill lime juice and tequila.
2. Mix together all ingredients except for the salt.
3. Optional - salt the rim of the glass
4. Serve over ice!

Frozen Birthday Party

I do not think the Frozen fad will be dying out anytime soon now that they have announced Frozen 2! My daughter has been waiting all year to have a Frozen themed birthday party...so I went to Pinterest and tried to create the party she had imagined.

We are not big on goodie bags. I try to keep them somewhat simple. Each goodie bag cost me $3.00. I decided since it was a sleepover and there would be less children that I would invest in cups they could use at the party as well as take home with them (I had a hard time finding the cups at Target and Walmart. Kohl's ended up have a whole stack in the card section). I then placed a glow stick (for them to play with the night of the sleepover), Frozen pencil (found at Party City), Frozen Ring (Party City again) and I bought blue nail polish with glitter inside to fill the cups with.

 

My kids have never been big into games at a party, so I planned only one....a SNOWBALL FIGHT! Ok, to a lot of people that is not a big thing, but here in Arizona we do not get much snow. We had to actually make our snowballs out of white yarn. We made 43 (don't know why that exact number) pom poms and had 8 kids that played. I placed the bowl in the center of the grass and told them when they could start. The kids played for a good 15 minutes.

 

I printed off a few mazes and different coloring pages in case the kids wanted a quick break from playing. I found the pages on: Mighty Ink Jet Frozen Coloring Pages

 

 

We had a wide arrangement of food that was all themed with the party (well all of it expect for the 2 pizzas we had). I made Frozen name cards from: Oh My Fiesta Free Frozen Printable Cards. I copied the pictured into Microsoft word and made a text box with the wording. I saw where people were taking Styrofoam balls and cutting them in half to hold up the name cards. I was trying to save a couple of dollars so I just left enough paper so that I could fold it in half.

 

Everything was delicious!

 

 

Sven's carrots was just little cups of ranch with baby carrots in them.

 

Anna's snowballs were rice krispie treats rolled into balls and topped with sprinkles.

 

 

 

Hans' frozen hearts were strawberries dipped in white chocolate.

 

 

Kristoff's meatballs.

 

 

We had mini chocolate chips, stick pretzels, candy corn, marshmallows, and vanilla frosting to be able to build a snowman with.



 

 

 

Anna and Elsa's chocolate was chocolate chips melted with a little bit of vegetable oil.

 

 

Elsa's Ice Crystals I found on Amazon: Cotton Candy Rock Crystals. I think the adults loved these more than the kids.

 





 

For kid drink I had 2 regular non caffeinated sodas and then I put in a drink dispenser two 7-up 2 liters with a few drops of blue food dye.

 

The adult drink was a Frozen Themed Blue Margarita.



 

 

Finally the cake....I do not know how to create an amazing Frozen cake off hand, so instead I created a cupcake snowflake. My frosting skills are starting to improve a little.



 

 

Instructions for making the Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter Frosting

Friday Funday

Today was a busy day in our house! My middle daughter turned 8 years old, my son & I accompanied my oldest daughter on a field trip and we joined the masses at the movie theater to see Cinderella. Needless to say this is the first time I have sat down today to just do nothing.

I thought that I would share the lunch I packed for my little man instead of the girls today. It is not the most well balanced, but it was a good lunch for a fun Friday.

He took with him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a banana, carrots with ranch, yogurt covered pretzels, cinnamon almonds and yogurt covered cranberries.

Girlfriends Baby Debut Swaddle

My girlfriend just had her second son a couple of weeks ago. They decided instead of a baby shower or sprinkle they would have a BBQ to welcome their new little angel into the world. I have looked through a couple of stores trying to figure out what the perfect present would be to get for her, but have not had much luck.

My first two children loved to be swaddled, but I have never seen cute, comfy swaddles in stores. So...tonight I decided to test out my sewing skills and make her one. I am pretty proud of how it turned out.

I hope that her son will enjoy it as much as my little ones use to.

I loved the idea so much that I have made a second swaddle in pink and I am taking a stab at selling it on Craigslist.