The birthday parties are just 2 weeks away and I am in the middle of preparing for them. The first thing I did was to make spreadsheet of all the items I need for activities,food,favors etc. Next step was shopping well (This is my favorite part) for the three year old's Princess Party I decided to buy most of my favors the day after Valentines Day,I got a lot of cute pink favors the were 50% off about 75-50 cents for a pack of 8 favors not bad!! The Tiaras I picked up from the dollar store last year as I knew we'd be having a princess party and I keep a look out year round for supplies. I also pick up these really nice Knights helmets and swords ,for the boys that will attend. Lastly on my shopping trips I also picked up these adorable pink glass's just right for a princess, 2 for a Dollar The cost so far about $35
So I have two birthday parties coming up next month. My daughters are turning 9 and 4 they are just one day apart 13th and 14th!!Throwing one birthday party can be stressful but two is insane! Lot of people ask me why I don't have a combined party for the two? The problem is that my nine year old has nothing in common with the 4 year old, they have very different likes & dislikes. The 4 year old is a lil princess and miss preteen has long outgrown all things princess,and thinks its totally uncool!! I believe a birthday is a celebration of the individual.and the party should reflect the child's personality. Challenge # 1 The Princess's Castle party was a no brainer I am building a Castle out of cardboard boxes Challenge #2 The preteen party was s challenge. We had all but decided on a hiking trip with a picnic but realized that its rainy season here in California and doing anything outdoors is risky.My daughter suggested they do a Broadway style play at home! Now I thought that was a neat Idea. So we are doing the Lion King. All the guests get to dress up as the animals characters.We will set up a stage and they get a chance to sing dance and perform a mini play.
The Real challenge is this year, well I don't want to do a over the top party like I usually do. This year I am setting a budget of $100 for each party. So lets see if I can throw a fancy birthday party for under $100!!!
The Oscars are on next week and I am throwing an Oscar viewing party at home
Found this great link On the Official Oscar website Great ideas for a Oscar Party. They have the Printable Oscar Ballots for this year and other games like the Oscar Bingo etc everything you'd need for a Oscar party.
Here our our themed recipes
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
here is a Video for Shrimp Creole - A New Orleans Classic
For Slumdog Millionaire I choose Pav Bhaji a quintessential Mumbai street food Its delicious and Spicy
1 tablespoon vegetable oil Large knob of butter 1 small onion, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon each ginger 1 heaped teaspoon garlic paste 1 green chilli, sliced 2 teaspoons pao bhaji masala/substitute with curry powder & Paprika 1 teaspoon coriander powder Salt to taste 1 medium tomato, chopped 2 medium potatoes, boiled and roughly mashed 150g/5oz cauliflower florets,cut into very small pieces 1 large handful of frozen green peas, defrosted 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon garam masala 1 handful coriander, chopped 2-3 soft white bread rolls
Heat oil and a teaspoon of butter in a large non-stick frying pan. Fry onion until golden. Add ginger, garlic and chilli. Cook for 30 seconds. Stir in spices. Cook for 30 seconds. Add seasoning, tomatoes , cook for four minutes. Stir for five minutes, adding a splash of hot water. Add veg and 250ml (9fl oz) hot water, bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes, mashing. Add peas and two tablespoons butter. Cook for two minutes. It should be thick and sloppy, so add water as required. Season, add remaining ingredients. Cook for another minute. Lightly toast the rolls and serve.
1. Pour the wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat. 2. As it begins to warm, add sugar and spices. Stir until sugar is dissolved. 3. Add the brandy. 4. Heat thoroughly, but do not allow to boil! 5. Add the lemon and orange. 6. Steep for about 1 hour over low heat. 7. You may add more sugar during this time if desired, stirring well so it disolves. 8. Serve hot and garnish with orange slices. A stick cinnamon could also be used.
We have three,well two and a half, girly girls in the house ( My older one is part tomboy), Valentines day is bound to be a big thing so here are my ideas for this year.This is our 10th anniversary year, and my girls are blossoming lil flowers, so My theme is LOVE BLOSSOMS. My Cupcake bouquet(details in the last post) serves as the centerpiece and I used small pots with heart lolipops,marshmallows as individual bouquets.I will be serving chocolate fondue and the marshmallows are for dipping. For treats I am serving jello baskets These are actually going to serve as my daughters preschool class treats. All kids love jello.
Another treat is the Strawberry cream cheese sandwich. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO YOU
Valentines Day is nearly here,there is a lot of excitement in our house.Here is the first in a series of craft & recipe ideas for the day.I fell in love with the Cupcake bouquet idea its so cute and economical,flowers look nice but are quite expensive so why not try something that's not just pretty,its edible too!
I began with mini cupcakes with pink frosting with pink sprinkles Here's a closeup of the rose petals I tried. I used a low pot I had at home with green silk flowers as base. Toothpick on the cupcakes as stems Here is my final creation
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