Madeline's Birthday Party

Today instead of yummy tailgating recipes, I am sharing my little girl's 3rd birthday party! Our theme was cupcakes! The idea was to have the children decorate gift bags and cupcakes...then they could take their completed cupcakes home with them in the cute decorated bags =) I had so much fun at this party watching the children come up with their masterpieces =)

When the children arrived, I had them decorate their gift bags. I had markers, glitter pens, and stickers for them to use. Once everyone completed their decorating, I brought out the cupcakes. I baked A LOT of cupcakes and iced them all. I then had an assortment of toppings for them to use...gummy worms, m&ms, sprinkles and crushed up oreos. We gave the children each a spoon and let their creativity flow.

Below are a few of the pictures from the party:


The giant cupcake cake...thanks so much Jess K for letting me borrow your cool cupcake pan =)


Cake table...extra cupcakes for the grown-ups to eat.


Table set up and ready for the kiddos to arrive and decorate their baggies and cupcakes.


The birthday girl standing in her decorated bedroom doorway.


The kids busy decorating.


Our sweet princess.


Our handsome Jack.


Madeline in her chef hat and apron...ready to decorate the cupcakes.


Jack in his chef hat and apron ready for some decorating.


My sweet Madeline watching while we sing "Happy Birthday"


Blowing out the birthday candles.


yep...sneaky Madeline with her spoon eating the icing off the cake.


oh lala princess dress up set =)


a pretty new outfit


very cute new jammies


love our new rainboots!


yay our fave! Tinkerbell!


Madi loves Fancy Nancy. She got some new books and a fancy nancy doll to hold while we read the books. She also got a tutu to wear =)


Madi loves the disney princesses.


A new bike!!!!






Hope everyone has enjoyed their Saturday! I know I sure did!!!

Jessica

One Of My Faves....

One of my favorite times of the year is....


because you get to do this....








Jessica

Yummy Treats

Muffaletta Sandwich








• 1 loaf Muffaletta bread (or Italian bread)
• 1 cup olive mix
Prepared Oh So Olive Dip (Tastefully Simple)
• 1/4 lb sliced ham
• 1/4 lb sliced mortadella
• 1/4 lb sliced Genoa salami
• 1/4 lb sliced provolone
• 1/4 lb sliced mozzarella
Preparation:
1. Cut bread in half horizontally.
2. Spread half with olive mix and half with Oh So Olive Spread then layer on meats and cheeses.
3. Cover with top. (Note: Ideally the sandwich should be made an hour or more in advance and then tightly wrapped in plastic wrap to enable juices to soak bread.)
4. Slice into quarters and serve.


Olive Salad:
This recipe makes a lot, but if kept sealed in a jar in the refrigerator it will keep for months.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minute
Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup pimento-stuffed olives
• 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables)
• 2 lg. pepperoncini
• 3 - 4 pickled onions
• 2 Tbsp. capers
• 1 md. clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• A couple of grinds of black pepper
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
Preparation
1. Drain all ingredients.
2. Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
3. Refrigerate overnight


Ultimate Turtle Brownies


1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1 bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 bag (11.5 oz) semisweet chocolate chunks (2 cups)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread 1/2 of batter (about 1 1/2 cups) in pan. Bake 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in large microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and whipping cream uncovered on High 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
3. Pour caramel over partially baked brownie; spread to edges. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup of the pecans. Drop remaining brownie batter by small spoonfuls onto caramel layer. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup pecans.
4. Bake 33 to 36 minutes longer or until center is almost set. Cool 1 hour at room temperature. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour before serving. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store covered at room temperature


ENJOY your Saturday! And.... WAR EAGLE!!!!
Jessica

Veterans Day 09

On this Veterans Day, let us not forget to remember all the men and women who have served and are currently serving this great nation. If it was not for their selfless service, this country could not exist with the freedoms that we enjoy and take for granted. Veterans, your remarkable ability and willingness to serve bring tremendous pride. So thank you, thank you for being a part of something bigger than yourselves.


I wanted to make sure the kids understood how very important it is to show support to all our troops, so I took them to our town's Veterans Day Parade. It was actually a really good parade and the kids enjoyed it.

Jack and Madeline waiting on the parade to start.


I love this picture of the kids. I love how they are anxiously waiting on the parade to get to our end.


The kids had A LOT of questions about this float.


Noah and Jack waving.


Hannah Grace and Madeline waving.


























The kids after the parade. (Madi, Lily, Hannah Grace, Noah, and Jack)


After the parade, we took the kids to get ice cream. Check out that big smile =)


Tonight for dinner, we went to Applebee's (along with everyone else in our town) and took part in the free meal for Veterans. My brother joined us along with our friends the Wade family. It is SO WONDERFUL of Applebee's to offer a free meal to veterans!


Me, Jack, Madi, Jason, and my brother Jeremy (sorry for the extreme close up of me)


Jessica

Info To Share

In honor of Veterans Day, many businesses in our area (and nationwide) are offering discounts and free items to all active, retired, and reserve members of the military. I have compiled a list here to share with you. Now this is just a list that I have found. I am sure that there are many which I am not aware of. If you know of more, please share them in the comments section. THANKS!!!

1. Outback Steakhouse is offering a free bloomin’ onion and beverage to all Veterans and Active Duty Military on Veterans Day. Stop in Wednesday, November 11, and show proof of Military Service.

2. Applebee’s is offering a free dinner for veterans and active service, Nov. 11.

3. Golden Corral - military appreciation dinner 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, free buffet.

4. In honor of Veteran’s Day, November 11th, the public is invited to visit National parks and forests for free.

5. Veterans Day honor, free download at amazon.com– Amazon.com is offering a free sample of 12 songs from The Bands and Ensembles of the United States Armed Forces.

6. McWane Science Center in Birmingham is offering free admission to all veterans and military personnel who have a valid military id.

7. NOV 6-11: Lowes is offering all active, reserve, honorably discharged retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10% discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday Nov. 6-11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000.

8 Krispy Kreme – All veterans and active military personnel can get a free doughnut of any variety, including glazed, kreme filled, and chocolate cake.

9. Sam’s Club – Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away free of charge to United States military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Sam’s Club membership is not required, but supplies are limited so you may want to call your local store before heading there.

10. NOV 7-15: World of Coca Cola is offering military personnel complimentary admission and discounts of 50% for up to four friends or family members.

11. NOV 7-15: Georgia Aquarium is offering military personnel general admission tickets for $20 and a 10% discount in the Aquarium gift shops. For more details, go to www.georgiaaquarium.org/mil.

12. NOV 11-14: Home Depot is offering all active, reserve, honorably discharged retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10% discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday Nov. 11-14. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $2,000.

13. Inside CNN Studio Tour offers a complimentary ticket to military personnel for daily tours throughout the year. Regular prices are $9-$13.

14. Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta and the National Museum of Atlanta will also have special offers.

15. Sea World: Military Members can receive up to 4 free tickets for themselves and their dependents (discounted tickets after your four free for those of you with more than four dependents) each year.

16. Disney World: Military members can receive one complimentary 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket which includes admission to all Disney World theme parks. Eligible military members can purchase discounted Disney tickets for their friends and family - adult or child 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute companion” ticket for up to 5 people for $99 per ticket (add $25 for access to all parks). A limited number of discounted Disney Resort hotel tickets are available. Offer Expires 23 DEC 09


Jessica

"It Stinks!"

Jack with his catch.


Madeline with her catch.

Ready for a good laugh??? Well I have one for you...

Over the weekend, Jason took the kids fishing. He always gets a bucket of minnows to use as bait. Our sweet darling Madeline feels it is her job to "rescue" the minnows from being used as bait. Usually she just releases them into the water...but not this time...below is a conversation between Jack, Madi and myself...through this conversation you will discover where the minnows are =)

Getting into the car this morning to take Jack to school, we all notice a strange, icky smell.
Jack says: "it stinks in here and is making my tummy hurt"

Madi : "it stinks mommy"

Jack: "What is that smell mommy?"

Me: "I have no idea but it is really bad!"

Madi: "it's my fish's

Me: "your what?!?"

Madi: "my fish mommy...I hid them in the car"

Me: "Madi, where did you put the fish?"

Madi: "In the car mommy"

Me: get a little excited now "Where in the car Madeline?"

Madi: "I don't know mommy, I forgot"

I would like to tell you that I have found the minnows, but I have not....nope...took everything out of the car and checked every nook and cranny but still no minnows. The stink is still there. Jason assures me he will check it out tonight when he gets home...until then the car is sitting outside with the windows down. Anyone have any tips on how to get the stench out of the car?

Jessica

Catching Up With A Special Friend

Today I had lunch with one of the most special friends in my life, Nancy. I grew up right up the road from Nancy. I have so many memories of us spending time at each others houses (probably more at her house than mine b/c of my pesky little brother not leaving us alone HA!) I remember we tried to start a jewelry business one summer during middle school...yep...jewelry made with rhinestones and a hot glue gun...enough said huh? Do you remember that Nancy? We remained friends on through high school on danceline together and even kept in touch after high school. Before Nancy moved, we had weekly lunch dates at our favorite Mexican restaurant...I am not sure how much food we ate, but I know we talked and laughed a lot =). Then Nancy and her family moved and we have stayed in touch through email and blogs. Well today...after way too long...we finally got to have some time together. As soon as Nancy walked in I had tears! I am sure that all the people around us thought I was nuts, but I just could not help it! She is such a special friend and means sooo much to me! We had such a great time and picked up just like we always did. I am so thankful for her friendship! I am so glad that we decided to make this a monthly event =)


Nancy was so sweet to bring me a happy! Look at how cute this happy was packaged!


And here is my happy! An adorable platter with my initial on it...how adorable is this??? I LOVE IT!!! Thank you so much Nancy!

I had the most wonderful time today and can not wait for our date next month!

I know that it is Saturday, and I usually post tailgating recipes, but I did not cook today...nope...I had a tastefully simple party this morning, lunch with Nancy, and then my sweet in laws invited us over for chili...so guess what we did...we went for chili =) Hope everyone has had a wonderful football Saturday! WAR EAGLE!

Jessica