One of my favorite local bloggers is at it again with an awesome giveaway-tickets to Disney on Ice! All good things are meant to be shared, so here is your chance to enter!
ChiIL Mama: Win Free Tickets Here-Disney On Ice Treasure Trove...: Come ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama at one of the coolest shows on ice! See a magical mash up of Disney favorites all in one place, f...
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Foster Family Fabulous Feast-Fancy Fondue Night
My mom has been a huge supporter of FFFF nights, including giving us wonderful suggestions for future ones. For our last one, she commented that she wished she was there, so I knew I needed to host August's when my mom, sister, and nephews were in
town. Before my friend Heather moved she offered two bags of chocolate fondue to our moms group. I was the first to request it with the idea of having Foster Family Fabulous Feast-Fondue Night.
My mom was a rockstar and made the cheese fondue, which we dipped our bread (and sometimes chicken in). We didn't fondue any meat because we didn't have enough fondue pots, but Fster Dad grilled chicken that we cut into pieces, and served with three different dipping sauces. We ended the night with chocolate fondue dipping marshmallows, grapes, strawberries and bananas.
We ate by candlelight (at least the dinner portion), had classical music playing in the background, and had our finest white tablecloth out on the table. We all drank sparkling juice from Trader Joe's in plastic wine glasses. It was very classy and everyone had a great demeanor and was very calm and relaxed. Foster child #1 kept saying, "This is like a restaurant, mommy!" Funny, considering I don't think we have ever been to a fancy restaurant with the kids. We're more the Red Robin, Chik-fil-A type! I would have required everyone to dress up but considering the kids had just come in from outside playing in the rain and the pool (don't ask) I decided against it. My mom said she thinks we should eat by candlelight more often because the kids were all so peaceful (not that they aren't any other times, but it did change their behavior some!)
Wish I would have turned the flash on for the group shot!
Bathed by candlelight!
Foster child #3 did great with the plastic wine glass, but that still doesn't mean I think he's ready for the real thing (the wine or the glass!)
Taken by our four year old, Foster child #2
My nephew enjoying the cheese fondue.
Chocolate faces!
Next up is Back to School Foster Family Fabulous Feast, which we will have next Monday before the kids go back to school on Tuesday. On the menu will be alphabet soup, ruler bread, cheese pencils, crayons for dessert (made out of Rolos and Hershey kisses). I'm also really excited for our decor! And, to end the night, we'll watch Schoolhouse Rock (of course!)
town. Before my friend Heather moved she offered two bags of chocolate fondue to our moms group. I was the first to request it with the idea of having Foster Family Fabulous Feast-Fondue Night.
My mom was a rockstar and made the cheese fondue, which we dipped our bread (and sometimes chicken in). We didn't fondue any meat because we didn't have enough fondue pots, but Fster Dad grilled chicken that we cut into pieces, and served with three different dipping sauces. We ended the night with chocolate fondue dipping marshmallows, grapes, strawberries and bananas.
We ate by candlelight (at least the dinner portion), had classical music playing in the background, and had our finest white tablecloth out on the table. We all drank sparkling juice from Trader Joe's in plastic wine glasses. It was very classy and everyone had a great demeanor and was very calm and relaxed. Foster child #1 kept saying, "This is like a restaurant, mommy!" Funny, considering I don't think we have ever been to a fancy restaurant with the kids. We're more the Red Robin, Chik-fil-A type! I would have required everyone to dress up but considering the kids had just come in from outside playing in the rain and the pool (don't ask) I decided against it. My mom said she thinks we should eat by candlelight more often because the kids were all so peaceful (not that they aren't any other times, but it did change their behavior some!)
Next up is Back to School Foster Family Fabulous Feast, which we will have next Monday before the kids go back to school on Tuesday. On the menu will be alphabet soup, ruler bread, cheese pencils, crayons for dessert (made out of Rolos and Hershey kisses). I'm also really excited for our decor! And, to end the night, we'll watch Schoolhouse Rock (of course!)
Saturday, August 18, 2012
She's Got a Point
For my ever fading memory!
Yesterday Foster Dad and I were talking at the dinner table about the fall programs we want our kids to take through the park district. I was mentioning that I wanted Foster Child #1 to take piano (I took piano when I was younger and so did my mom), at which point which says, "No, no no, I don't want to take piano." Foster Dad then replied, "Why not?"
"I don't want to. I want to take gymnastics."
I interjected and said, "But, Foster Child #1...."
And she then interjected and said, "But, mom, gymnastics is better exercise. Piano only uses your fingers."
Good point and now my child will be taking gymnastics!
Yesterday Foster Dad and I were talking at the dinner table about the fall programs we want our kids to take through the park district. I was mentioning that I wanted Foster Child #1 to take piano (I took piano when I was younger and so did my mom), at which point which says, "No, no no, I don't want to take piano." Foster Dad then replied, "Why not?"
"I don't want to. I want to take gymnastics."
I interjected and said, "But, Foster Child #1...."
And she then interjected and said, "But, mom, gymnastics is better exercise. Piano only uses your fingers."
Good point and now my child will be taking gymnastics!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Foster child #2's Lego Read and Build Party
When I received a House Party application for the Lego Duplo Read and Build Party, I had no shame in putting in the application with my 4 year old's birthday party in mind. He LOVES building with Lego Duplos and I knew we could have a super fun and creative party with it! And that we did! He was pretty overwhelmed once everyone arrived, being rather timid, with his thumb in his mouth and did not participate in anything, but I think everyone else had fun!
This is before everyone arrived when I could still get a smile out of the birthday boy!
My friend Claudia said, upon entering, "Nicole is this a party for Elijah or a party for us moms?" Made me smile, because yes, I want a party to be fun for all (and relaxing for us moms too!) I also hope the party didn't disappoint my neighbor Phoebe (who's about to be 7) who told her mom, "Nicole throws the best parties," hence her presence at a party for 4 year olds.
As the kids arrived they could either color Lego Duplo coloring sheets (found on their website) or build with Legos. I am so thankful that Foster Dad and I invested in the Lego storage bin (also known as the Trofast storage unit from IKEA.) It turned out great, and the kids did a great job putting the Legos back where they belong.
I also had a jar of Lego Duplos where kids could make a guess as to how many there were. Sixteen in ours!
No surprise here, Foster child #1 opted to color instead of build with Legos.
Not the greatest picture, but you can see the unit clearly here, plus some of the kids creations.
We then moved onto games and we played Pass the Lego to the Lego Duplo Jams podcast (found on Itunes and FREE) and also played Lego, Lego, Who's Got the Lego, which is very similar to Doggy, Doggy, Where's Your Bone? (It was also appropriate because it was very similiar to the Penny Game the kids played in Sunday School just a couple of weeks prior and one party guest was sweet to point that out! Made it very easy for the kids to understand the directions and play.)
We then went outside for our only outside time of the party (too hot!) to have a Lego Scavenger Hunt. The kids carried their favor bags out with them, and then got to keep the Lego Duplos they found. I forgot to take a picture of all the favor bags, but here is Foster Child #2's.
I got the Lego font from Urban Fonts.
I think this little guy is having fun, don't you?
When we came back in I read the book that we received from our Lego Duplo Read and Build House Party Kit. I read the story first (with all kids engaged) and then I picked a couple of the kids to work together to build the farm animals.
We then ate pizza, grapes, juice boxes and the kids could also have a Lego cookie. I found both ideas on Pinterest and the Lego juice box download came from here. There were plenty of cookies for the kids to take one home as well in their favor bags. The cookies were sugar cookies, frosted with powdered sugar and milk and the Wilton No Taste icing color, with M and M's on top. Good thing it was no taste icing color because look how bright the cookies were.
After lunch we announced the winners of the Guess How Many Legos contest and the three raffle winners of the Read and Build Kits.
It was then time for cake. I found the recipe here and it would have been great had I followed directions! The kids didn't care and the cake did taste good, but frosting it was a pain because I didn't let the cake sit in the fridge long enough. UGH!
We're so thankful for all of our friends who came out to celebrate our middle child!
This is before everyone arrived when I could still get a smile out of the birthday boy!
My friend Claudia said, upon entering, "Nicole is this a party for Elijah or a party for us moms?" Made me smile, because yes, I want a party to be fun for all (and relaxing for us moms too!) I also hope the party didn't disappoint my neighbor Phoebe (who's about to be 7) who told her mom, "Nicole throws the best parties," hence her presence at a party for 4 year olds.
As the kids arrived they could either color Lego Duplo coloring sheets (found on their website) or build with Legos. I am so thankful that Foster Dad and I invested in the Lego storage bin (also known as the Trofast storage unit from IKEA.) It turned out great, and the kids did a great job putting the Legos back where they belong.
I also had a jar of Lego Duplos where kids could make a guess as to how many there were. Sixteen in ours!
No surprise here, Foster child #1 opted to color instead of build with Legos.
Not the greatest picture, but you can see the unit clearly here, plus some of the kids creations.
We then moved onto games and we played Pass the Lego to the Lego Duplo Jams podcast (found on Itunes and FREE) and also played Lego, Lego, Who's Got the Lego, which is very similar to Doggy, Doggy, Where's Your Bone? (It was also appropriate because it was very similiar to the Penny Game the kids played in Sunday School just a couple of weeks prior and one party guest was sweet to point that out! Made it very easy for the kids to understand the directions and play.)
We then went outside for our only outside time of the party (too hot!) to have a Lego Scavenger Hunt. The kids carried their favor bags out with them, and then got to keep the Lego Duplos they found. I forgot to take a picture of all the favor bags, but here is Foster Child #2's.
I think this little guy is having fun, don't you?
When we came back in I read the book that we received from our Lego Duplo Read and Build House Party Kit. I read the story first (with all kids engaged) and then I picked a couple of the kids to work together to build the farm animals.
We then ate pizza, grapes, juice boxes and the kids could also have a Lego cookie. I found both ideas on Pinterest and the Lego juice box download came from here. There were plenty of cookies for the kids to take one home as well in their favor bags. The cookies were sugar cookies, frosted with powdered sugar and milk and the Wilton No Taste icing color, with M and M's on top. Good thing it was no taste icing color because look how bright the cookies were.
After lunch we announced the winners of the Guess How Many Legos contest and the three raffle winners of the Read and Build Kits.
It was then time for cake. I found the recipe here and it would have been great had I followed directions! The kids didn't care and the cake did taste good, but frosting it was a pain because I didn't let the cake sit in the fridge long enough. UGH!
We're so thankful for all of our friends who came out to celebrate our middle child!
Foster Family Fabulous Feast-A Pirate's Dinner
July 31 was the perfect day for July's Foster Family Fabulous Feast! My wonderful and very creative sister gave me the awesome idea to do a pirate themed dinner and even gave me her decorations (so, yes, we can add super generous to her qualities). Love you, Kimberly! Since it was a rather boyish theme I figured what better day to do it than on my oldest boy's 4th birthday. Plus the pirate theme worked out very well for a treasure hunt for his presents!
Although my sister gave me the idea, with food choices, and decor, I did decide to go one step further and try to find a treasure chest since the food items were treasures.
Chicken nuggets=golden nuggets
Pirate's booty=pirates booty
Green and red grapes=red rubies and green emeralds
I love Freecycle for this very reason. Someone responded to my wanted post and had a pretty large treasure chest for me to use!
I put our black tablecloth on the table and used red plates. (At this point, Foster child #1 comes in and asks, "Ooh, are we having a vampire dinner?" Umm, nooooo. Seriously, where does she come up with this stuff?!?!?!) We also had 1 Mardi gras bead necklace (And another seriously, where did all the other ones go that I know the kids got for free and why would these not be something someone on Freecycle would not want to get rid of?)
I found a super cute craft project for the kids to make parrots for their shoulders here.
Foster dad and I had bandanas on our heads. (It would have also been rather easy to make eye patches and do fake goatees and mustaches, but the day was super busy with a trip downtown. Next time!!!)
My sister made signs that said Shiver Me Timbers and Ahoy, Matey (out of crumpled paper bags, with cut edges and pirate stickers). She also found a printable of a treasure map that she printed on brown paper and also made to look old (cut and burned edges).
Along with our treasure dinner,
we had pirate ships on the open seas (orange slices with pirate flags held with toothpicks on blue jello).
We tried talking pirate during dinner and when the phone rang I asked the kids if I should answer with ARRRGH. Of course, they gave a resounding Arrrgh back, so I had to. (I was fortunate that my guess of it being a family member wishing Foster child #2 a happy birthday was correct!)
After dinner we asked Foster child #2 how a pirate would know where the buried treasure was on a map. (An X marks the spot.) We then sent him on a treasure hunt to look for his birthday presents with his brother and sister closely behind.
We finished the night eating a Pirate Hat shaped cake found here,
and watching the Veggie Tales Movie-the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. Thanks, Katefor letting us borrow the movie!
* Oh, and sorry Foster Dad for me not being cognizant of you not being in any pictures that night! He was there!!!
Although my sister gave me the idea, with food choices, and decor, I did decide to go one step further and try to find a treasure chest since the food items were treasures.
Chicken nuggets=golden nuggets
Pirate's booty=pirates booty
Green and red grapes=red rubies and green emeralds
I love Freecycle for this very reason. Someone responded to my wanted post and had a pretty large treasure chest for me to use!
I put our black tablecloth on the table and used red plates. (At this point, Foster child #1 comes in and asks, "Ooh, are we having a vampire dinner?" Umm, nooooo. Seriously, where does she come up with this stuff?!?!?!) We also had 1 Mardi gras bead necklace (And another seriously, where did all the other ones go that I know the kids got for free and why would these not be something someone on Freecycle would not want to get rid of?)
I found a super cute craft project for the kids to make parrots for their shoulders here.
Foster dad and I had bandanas on our heads. (It would have also been rather easy to make eye patches and do fake goatees and mustaches, but the day was super busy with a trip downtown. Next time!!!)
My sister made signs that said Shiver Me Timbers and Ahoy, Matey (out of crumpled paper bags, with cut edges and pirate stickers). She also found a printable of a treasure map that she printed on brown paper and also made to look old (cut and burned edges).
Along with our treasure dinner,
we had pirate ships on the open seas (orange slices with pirate flags held with toothpicks on blue jello).
We tried talking pirate during dinner and when the phone rang I asked the kids if I should answer with ARRRGH. Of course, they gave a resounding Arrrgh back, so I had to. (I was fortunate that my guess of it being a family member wishing Foster child #2 a happy birthday was correct!)
After dinner we asked Foster child #2 how a pirate would know where the buried treasure was on a map. (An X marks the spot.) We then sent him on a treasure hunt to look for his birthday presents with his brother and sister closely behind.
We finished the night eating a Pirate Hat shaped cake found here,
and watching the Veggie Tales Movie-the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. Thanks, Katefor letting us borrow the movie!
* Oh, and sorry Foster Dad for me not being cognizant of you not being in any pictures that night! He was there!!!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Sesame Street Birthday Party
I'll be honest here, I'm only posting this blog post because I LOVED my food ideas for Foster child #3's birthday party. So, really this is a chance for others to pin these ideas. No shame, being brutally honest. However, I am also using it to post a really cute shot of my now 2 year old!
We did a Sesame Street party for him, which really didn't mean much except his Sesame Street stuffed animals came outside to play, he wore his Elmo shirt, and the colored theme were the primary colors. But I needed to do more, and that's where the food came in. We served hot dogs and chips - his favorite, but I also dolled it up some more. I needed to keep his party simple because I am very loco and decided to have Foster child #1's birthday party on the same exact day (and with it being a Candyland themed party, had quite a bit of prep, like a giant Candyland game in our driveway.)
Anyway, found the ideas on Pinterest of Elmo fruit tray, and thankful I did that rather than Bert and Ernie made of bananas and clementines. Too much work.
I incorporated a couple of other characters by having a Cookie Monster cookie tray. My little guy really is a cookie monster, and I know I personally counted him eating 4 cookies at his party. He could have eaten more without my knowledge. But hey, it was his birthday. A once a year happening. I'm not sweating it. None of my kids are big fans of cake and why force it on them for their birthdays? I love to bake so it was fun prepping all week by making Brownie Crinkle Cut cookies, Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip, and Sugar Cookies, which were brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.
I am also forever grateful to my mom who was able to find me a metal garbage pail, so I could make Oscar the Grouch's Garbage Can milkshake. She lives in small town, Iowa so this very thing is very readily available. Can also be bought on Amazon. At Young Life in high school, they always kicked off the year with garbage can milkshakes and it so fit with the theme. Also, so very, very grateful to my friend Kim, who herself throws fabulous parties for her kiddos, who found an Oscar the Grouch doll for Foster Child #3 and bought it for him for his birthday gift, because she knew I was needing it!
We did a Sesame Street party for him, which really didn't mean much except his Sesame Street stuffed animals came outside to play, he wore his Elmo shirt, and the colored theme were the primary colors. But I needed to do more, and that's where the food came in. We served hot dogs and chips - his favorite, but I also dolled it up some more. I needed to keep his party simple because I am very loco and decided to have Foster child #1's birthday party on the same exact day (and with it being a Candyland themed party, had quite a bit of prep, like a giant Candyland game in our driveway.)
Anyway, found the ideas on Pinterest of Elmo fruit tray, and thankful I did that rather than Bert and Ernie made of bananas and clementines. Too much work.
I incorporated a couple of other characters by having a Cookie Monster cookie tray. My little guy really is a cookie monster, and I know I personally counted him eating 4 cookies at his party. He could have eaten more without my knowledge. But hey, it was his birthday. A once a year happening. I'm not sweating it. None of my kids are big fans of cake and why force it on them for their birthdays? I love to bake so it was fun prepping all week by making Brownie Crinkle Cut cookies, Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip, and Sugar Cookies, which were brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.
I am also forever grateful to my mom who was able to find me a metal garbage pail, so I could make Oscar the Grouch's Garbage Can milkshake. She lives in small town, Iowa so this very thing is very readily available. Can also be bought on Amazon. At Young Life in high school, they always kicked off the year with garbage can milkshakes and it so fit with the theme. Also, so very, very grateful to my friend Kim, who herself throws fabulous parties for her kiddos, who found an Oscar the Grouch doll for Foster Child #3 and bought it for him for his birthday gift, because she knew I was needing it!
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