Friday, March 22, 2013

5th "Lego" Birthday Party!

I was excited to do a "Lego" themed birthday party for Matthew's 5th Birthday.  Six months prior to his birthday, he had told me he wanted an "Angry Birds" party.  I was "so so" on that idea, but shortly after we took the boys to Legoland for the first time, it was all Lego from then on out.  It was so much fun organizing many Lego party ideas on Pinterest. (Check out my board to see where I got many of these ideas, etc...)  I got so many cheap, but cute ideas from there.  Here are some pics of the decor:

Kitchen table...Caprisun boxes covered in dollar store wrapping paper to make legos!

I made 40 of these "Lego" plates by simply drawing the face on a yellow square plate with a Sharpie, and attaching a little yellow "knob" with a hot glue gun.

View of table and room...(sorry it's blurry!)

How rad is the cake my friend Kynda of Cake Whimsy by Kyndalynn made!?!

It was a vanilla cake, with strawberry filling, fluffy buttercream frosting, and covered with fondant accents...

Cute Lego guy!

Little extra touches like the water bottle labels...

 Buffet...

 This was created with the Lego Photo App on iPhone...since I have an android, I sent a pic to a friend, and she sent it right back to me.  I then printed it off at Walmart...so fun!

The #5 on a lego plate...

Green bubble wrap for a table runner...looks just like a lego plate...cool idea!

Cake was on a box I covered with "lego brick" fabric.  I also made many "legos" to tape on the windows out of craft paper, and using a circular punch and raised stickers...

 The candles I found at Target...and WAY cheaper than some I had found on Amazon...

This little "mini figure" lego man candle I found on Etsy...

M is ready to party! (Shirt also from Etsy...)

This is as good as it gets these days for a family photo...

Darth M...

With cousins ready to sing!

 Ready to open gifts...

He was thrilled to get Yoda!

Super excited to get Candy Land...

Decapitated "Lego Men"...courtesy of two boys I know...

Singing "Happy Birthday"...


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M's 5th Birthday!

Well, a month late as usual, but here are the pics from Matthew's 5th birthday!  We can't believe our first little blessing from the Lord is already 5 years old.  Time has flown by...he is starting Kindergarten in the Fall!  Matthew is a true joy and a delight to be with.  How honored we are to be his parents.  Happy 5th Birthday my sweet boy!

Celebrating a day early at school...

 On his birthday...

Special lunch date at Noodles & Co. with just Mom and Dad!

Celebrating with cupcakes from Halo Cupcakes...yummy!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

From our family to yours...

The above photo was as good as I could get... ;)  Here is the "photo shoot progression" after J hit his head on the fire place stone.  Couldn't help but chuckle at the pics...poor little guy!  Proud of M being a good big brother and trying to comfort him...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Southwest Skillet Dinner


I debated for awhile about posting this recipe.  It's not much to look at.  It is simple and quick.  I'm embarrassed because the foodie in me thinks it not "gourmet" enough.  But the reason I am posting it is because it is SUPER yummy, and a family favorite.  I got this recipe years ago from a friend, and it always is a hit every time I make it. (Which isn't often enough!)  So if you are looking for a quick week night meal, that is incredibly delicious, this is it!  It literally comes together in the time it takes to steam your rice.  Serve it with some fruit such as grapes, apples, or oranges for a more complete meal.

Gather your ingredients...this is all you need!

Put some jasmine rice in your rice cooker to start, then give a quick mince to a couple cloves of garlic... (This recipe just works well with jasmine rice, it's a favorite of ours!)

Brown your ground beef with the garlic then drain the fat...

Add the chili powder and salt and stir it on high heat for about a minute...

Dump in a whole jar of Pace Picante Sauce and a drained can of summer crisp corn...

Give it a good stir, bring it to a boil, then cover and reduce heat.  Let it cook for about 4 more minutes...

Server the meat mixture over the steamed jasmine rice, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream (if desired)...

Southwest Skillet Dinner

1 to 1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef (definitely more toward the 1 1/2 lbs.)
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 (11 oz.) can Delmonte Summer Crisp Corn, drained
1 (16 oz.?) jar Pace Picante Sauce
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (1 to 2 cups)
Sour Cream (optional dollop for topping)
Jasmine Rice, about 2 cups uncooked, steamed in a rice cooker or cooked according to package directions

Start your rice in a rice cooker, or on the stove top as directed.  Brown your ground beef with the garlic, then drain the fat.  Stir in chili powder and salt and cook over high heat stirring often for about a minute.  Add the picante sauce and corn, stir, and bring to a boil. Once boiling (which happens almost right away), cover, reduce heat to simmer, and cook for 4 minutes.  Serve over steamed jasmine rice, and top with the shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.

Enjoy!

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