1st Birthday Party Theme

Last week was my daughters 1st Birthday.  I'm going to share some of the things I did to put her party together.  Hopefully these ideas will help when you plan your little ones party.

DECORATIONS

I went to Party Max and Dollarama to pick up the decorations.
This is what I picked up from each store.

Party Max
-pink plastic plates
-1st Birthday Banner
-invitations
-1st birthday hat
-1st birthday bib
-high chair decorating kit
-1st birthday cake plates
-1st birthday napkins
-I ordered helium balloons to be picked up on day of party
-sign me dog

Dollarama
-pink table cloth
-pink cutlery
-pink napkins
-pink and white streamers
-pink cupcake liners

FOOD/DRINKS

This is the food and drinks I served.

-meatballs
-meat and cheese tray
-buns
-chips
-goldfish
-cabbage rolls
-oreos dipped in icing
-spinach dip
-veggie straws
-watermelon
-grapes
-srtawberries
-cake / cupcakes
-ice cream
-pop
-juice
-water
-punch

 I saw on Pinterest oreos dipped in chocolate.  I hate melting chocolate .  Something always goes wrong no matter how I do it so I thought I'd save myself the hassle and use icing.  I bought a can of icing and used food colouring to tint it.  I put the icing in a bowl and melted it in the microwave . You should stir every 10 seconds until the icing drips off the spoon.  You don't need to melt the whole can of icing at once I did bits at a time .  Once the icing was melted I dipped half the oreo in and placed it on wax paper.  Then put some sprinkles on it before the icing set.  To save on time I made these a few days before and kept them in the freezer. 

 

For the cake I made a 6" fondant white cake .  I had it displayed on cake plates and pillars.  Under the cakes I also made cupcakes.  I served the cupcakes for the party and kept the 6" cake for my daughter to smash the next day which was her actual birthday.

I also picked up a sign me dog for everyone at the party to sign.  I was a bit upset since my other 2 kids had a bear but they only sell the dogs now.  Not that big of a deal lol but I was hoping they would all have the same one.

Jenn

July Favorites 2013

DOVE STYLE + CARE MOUSSE

This mousse is very light weight.  It holds curls and is great to style with.  It has a whipped cream texture .  I purchased it at Shoppers for around $5.

 

MUNCHKIN FRESH FOOD FEEDER

I loved using these with my kids.  I used to put frozen or fresh fruit or cooked vegetables in it.  I liked how the kids could suck on the food without the worry of them choking.  They are easy to use .  I highly recommend trying this product.  I purchased it at ToysRUs for under $10 for two.  I bought them 6 years ago so I'm not sure if you can still get them there but you can order them on amazon.ca.  

 TAKE ALONG TOOL KIT

  

I collect Huggies points.  So I used my points to get this tool kit.  It cost 425 points.  My 2 year old son loved this.  It came with a hammer, screw driver, nails and screws.  If you purchase Huggies diapers I recommend collecting the points.  I have used the points to get a few different things.  I have been happy with everything I received.

STARBUCKS LIGHT VANILLA BEAN FRAPPUCCINO

This is my new favorite drink .  I ask for it light to save on calories.  That means it is made with non fat milk , sugar-free syrup and no whip cream.  According to myfitnesspal.com a grande is only 160 calories.

Jenn

March Favorites 2013

Here are my favorites for this month.


GO GO SQUEEZE
A friend told me about these apple sauce packs at Costco. They have 16 packs in the box and cost just under $7. There are 2 flavours in the box. Apple and strawberry apple.  The kids love them and they are good for on the go or school lunches. I also love how the ingredients for the regular apple one is just apples and water. Perfect to give to the baby.

BABY TEETHER

Another friend told me about a teether they purchased at Walmart. The end of the teether vibrates when baby bites down on it. I bought it a while ago but I think it was around $8. The baby loves it, and it definitely soothes her sore gums.

LEGO FLASHLIGHT KEY CHAIN
My 2 year old son has become obsessed with Lego and so desperately wanted some Lego people . He doesn't put anything in his mouth but the people are small and I don't think it's a proper toy for him right now. While looking around in Chapter's for books I came across this Lego key chain. It's over double the size of a Lego figurine and it also has a flashlight on the bottom of both feet. You just hold down the tummy to make it work . It cost $11.99 . So now he's the happiest little boy ever to have his Lego people and a little light to take to bed.

DOTTING TOOLS
I love getting designs on my toes when I go for pedicures. But I figured I could probably do some of the work myself at home. I found these dotting tools on ebay.ca for $1.64 with free shipping. You can also get them on amazon.ca. They cost anywhere from $5.99 and up and then you have to pay for the shipping. I didn't mind waiting a few weeks to get them cheaper. Stay tuned for a post about using these tools!

If you haven't entered your email address in the "follow by email" spot on the top right of the page don't forget.

Jenn

Making Baby Food

When I found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child I was so excited to be able to make baby food again. With my first, I just made her meats. With my second I made all his food except I still bought baby cereal. I thought making baby food would be really hard and time consuming. But I watched some youtube videos and realized it was actually very easy. I really enjoyed making his food and the little guy ended up with a huge selection of food to eat. Here are some examples of how to make baby food.

The book I bought is called Blender Baby Food - Second Edition By Nicole Young.
This book is amazing. There are so many different recipes and instructions on how to make it.

With all the food I make, I spoon it into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen I transfer it to a freezer bag and date it with an expiry date of 3 months.  When steaming food I use the water from the steamer to blend it and if I'm boiling it I use the water in the pot. Some nutrients from the fruits/veggies go into the water so you want to try and put some of them back into the food. When adding water and milk to blend. Start with a small amount and keep adding until you reach your desired consistency.

OATMEAL WITH STRAWBERRIES OR BLUEBERRIES
-1/2 cup oats
-2 cups water
-1 cup frozen strawberries or blueberries, thawed

Bring the water to a boil and add oats. Let cook for about a minute then remove from heat.
Now I put my frozen berries in the fridge the day before so they thaw and are soft. Blend oatmeal and berries in a blender. Spoon mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.

You can also add a banana to it or use any fruit you want.

                                                         
                                                 

BANANAS

I do not make bananas ahead of time. When I want to serve some I take a piece of banana and mash it with a fork.


FRUIT

When making fruit, if frozen I put it in the fridge to thaw. There is no set amount just take out how much you think you'll need. If you take out too much or not enough you'll know for next time. If using fresh fruit and the fruit is not very soft yet I put it in my steamer until it gets soft.

Take your fruit and puree in the blender with water. Start with a small amount of water and keep adding until it is the consistency that you want. When blended spoon into ice cube trays.

Some of the fruit I have made are apples, peaches, pears, cherries, mango, papaya, strawberries and blueberries. For apples I use unsweetened apple sauce. I use the brands that contain just apples and water, There are also tons of combinations you can do. The book comes in handy with lots of ideas.

Here is a combination my kids loved.

Peach Pear Banana
-1 1/2 cups diced peeled peaches (about 2)
-1 cup diced peeled pears (about 1)
-1 banana sliced

In blender combine peaches, pears and banana and puree until smooth.




VEGGIES


When making veggies I peel if needed and steam the veggies until cooked and soft.  You can also boil or bake them. I use water to blend but you can also use breast milk or formula.

Whichever method you use when they are ready put it in the blender with water and puree until smooth.
Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze.

Some of the veggies I have made are sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, green beans and peas.



MEATS

The book an amazing recipes for all different meats and fish.
Here are a few I have altered or come up with on my own. Some of these I don't have an exact amount of each ingredient. I use the meat I have leftover and add the fruit to taste.

Pork with peaches/apples
-baked pork chop (I use boneless) cut into pieces
-apple sauce or peaches
-water (enough to make smooth)

Put in blender add water and puree until smooth. Spoon into ice cube tray and freeze.


Chicken
-package of ground chicken
-2 egg whites
-1 cup oats

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together. Form mixture into patties. Place on a greased baking tray. Bake for 25-30 minutes. When done cut into pieces and put into blender. Add water/breastmilk/formula. Blend until smooth. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze.

                                              uncooked patties and frozen chicken


Turkey with Cranberries
(this recipe I modified from the book)
-1 tbsp oil
-package of thinly sliced turkey breast
-1/2 cup water
-1/4 cup fresh/frozen/dried cranberries (I used dried)

In a frying pan heat oil over medium high heat. Add turkey and brown slightly. Stir in cranberries and water, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of pan. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until cranberries are very tender and turkey is no longer pink inside, about 30 min. Let cool.

Transfer to blender and puree until smooth. Spoon into ice cube tray and freeze.


If you have any questions about making baby food please comment below!