Party – Page 4 – Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Chex Party Mix Exchange: Convenient, FUN, and did I mention convenient?

January 24, 2012October 2, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

In celebration of the New Year one of our Playgroup Moms hosted a Chex Party Mix Exchange and it was a blast!

I have to admit I was a little leery at first since I have never made a Chex Mix. I always thought you had to have a microwave and since we got rid of ours I thought my chances of being able to prepare a decent Chex Mix was out of the question. So when I was invited to the party my first thought was to kindly decline. Then I looked over the Chex Mix Party website and noticed all the amazing recipes and I was pleasantly surprised http://www.chex.com/Recipes/ChexPartyMixChange.aspx. The website offered great tips and tricks, creative packaging ideas, and a slew of recipes.

I decided on Goin’ Fishin’

Ingredients

3	tablespoons butter or margarine
9	cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex® or Wheat Chex® cereal (or combination)
2	cups tiny pretzel fish-shaped crackers
2	cups bite-size cheese crackers
1	package (1 oz) ranch dressing and seasoning mix
1/2	cup grated Parmesan cheese

Variation

For extra fish appeal, and even more whimsy, use fish-shaped cheese crackers.

1.	In large microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in cereal and crackers until evenly coated. Stir in dressing mix and cheese until evenly coated.
2.	Microwave uncovered on High 3 minutes, stirring after every minute. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.
Oven Directions: Heat oven to 250°F. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in cereal and crackers until evenly coated. Stir in dressing mix and cheese until evenly coated. Bake 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container

I placed my mix in Mason Jars to pass out at the party.

When I arrived I was greeted by the amazing aromas coming from the kitchen. Our host outdid herself and made a beautiful combination of savory and sweet hors d’oerves.

Okay, so I was partial to the sweets, they were so good!!

It was so nice to be able to sit down, relax, and hear about everyone’s New Year and Christmas. While each of us loves our children it was so enjoyable to be in a kiddo free zone for a night. We could sit our beverages on the coffee table without the fear of a toddler drinking it or knocking it over, we could actually say words like crap and that sucks (come on, you know you have your own select few you allow around adults too), and maintain eye contact with the person talking (I always feel so rude when someone is talking and I just start running off because I foresee some accident waiting to unfold, usually involving my preschool and toddler, they can be a dangerous combination).

Everyone sampled each others Chex Mixes. Wow, I have to admit, I am not usually a huge fan of lemon but my two favorite Mixes had lemon in them. Then we exchanged Chex Mixes and the host even had beautiful container for each of us to take our Chex mixs home.

It was an all-around fabulous night and I would highly recommend a Chex Party Mix Exchange. The added bonus, in addition to getting away from the kiddos and having some fun “mommy time” was that I went home with enough Chex Mix for my kiddos to snack on for the next two weeks.

Thank you for a wonderful night Lilly, you outdid yourself (and thank your mom too, please).

So, if you are looking for a great way to celebrate any occasion (hello, Valentines Day is right around the corner) host a Chex Party Mix Exchange and invite some of your friends over and exchange these delicious (and so easy to make) treats. Added bonus, if you are room mom or in charge of any child’s holiday party you will have plenty of treats to share (this means you have to do a lot less work, hello, sing me up, right!?!). So, Chex that off your list as a “to do” (too much?).

I would love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever attended a Chex Mix Party Exchange? Would you contemplate hosting a Chex Mix Party Exchange? Do you have a favorite Chex Mix you make? Please share…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January 1, 2012October 2, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We had a blast last night and I hope your families did as well.

We started off our party at the munchies table which the kiddos loved; they thought it was so cool seeing their toys transformed into serving dishes. Each family member made a plate then found a spot in the living room to eat.

2012 019 — A Castle with cascading Grapes

2012 014 — Krabby Patties in the Restaurant

2012 030 — “Peeze”….more “dirt”….”peeze”

2012 032 — Thor visited briefly, made an appearance then exited.

After everyone finished their munchies it was time to get the party really started with some music. We danced to the Kid’s Looney Party Tunes which included the Birdie Song (chicken dance), See you Later Alligator, Lion sleeps Tonight, and much more. They had so much fun dancing around the living room.

2012 047 — Looks like they are in the middle of a serious conversation

Then it was time for family traditions, writing New Year’s resolutions on balloons that would be popped at midnight (or 8pm) and Mommy reading The Velveteen Rabbit. Both are traditions that I had growing up and I so enjoy sharing them with my family.

2012 070 — He said he would like to fly and I asked where he would like to go, thinking Hawaii or somewhere warm. He explained to me that he doesn’t care just as long as he has wings.

2012 072 — She already has a busy schedule but she would like to add swimming, dancing, and soccer.

After the story it was getting close to “midnight” so we had the kiddos get their shoes and coats on so they would be ready to greet the New Year with lots of noise.

2012 065 — Everyone was starting to get a little sleepy, time to welcome the New Year.

They banged the pots and pans with spoons and screamed Happy New Year!!! Then it was time to pop our balloons. There were even a few brief moments of comedy. Our daughter asked if it would be okay if she sat on her balloon in order to pop it. We both proclaimed that it would be alright. Then she looked up with a very serious expression on her face and asked, “Will the balloon go up my butt?” It was too funny, a great question, but hilarious.

And yes, we made it to Midnight. Granted I brewed some coffee around 6pm which helped and we were able to toast the New Year together once the kiddos were in bed.

It was a fabulous New Year’s Eve Party, probably the best one I ever attended and the guest list was remarkable, each guest the love of my life. Here’s to a remarkable year with family and friends, raise your glasses moms (coffee, tea, wine, whatever), Happy New Year!

2012 040 — Here is a toast to all my reader, Happy New Year!

So how was your New Years?

Stress-free Christmas party

December 17, 2011December 12, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

As moms, the holidays mean adding more “to do” to our already lengthy “to do” list. There is decorating the house (both inside and out), buying and coordinating the children’s Christmas clothes, determining the best gifts for everyone on the list, purchasing those gifts (gotta keep within that budget!!), wrapping gifts, children’s Christmas performances, baking cookies, sending out Christmas cards, trying to keep the peace with extended family members/in-laws, and doing it all with Holiday cheer (come on big smiles ladies!). Wouldn’t it be nice to just escape for an evening?

Why not make this dream come true and host a Stress-free Christmas party for all your girlfriends.
Last night I hosted my first (what will hopefully become annual) Stress-free Christmas Party. All the moms in my playgroup were invited to escape from their holiday obligations and head on over to my home for some holiday fun. But there were a few rules in order to truly endorse a stress-free party .

Here are the rules for a Stress-free Christmas party

1. Everyone is to bring a food item/dish.
2. NO COOKING or BAKING!! No one is to cook or bake anything that they bring. You must grab whatever is in your refrigerator or pantry. (Half eaten bag of chips, olives, cheerios, apples, slices of cheese, you get the idea).
3. NO DRESSING UP! Everyone must come dressed in comfortable clothes. Come dressed in your comfy PJs, lounging clothes, anything that is relaxing and comfortable.
4. Everyone is to bring a gift to share.
5. NO ONE IS TO PURCHASE A GIFT!! You must look around your home for an item that you are not attached to and wrap it. (Pot holder, book, sweater, figurine, anything!!)

stressfreechristmas 035 — It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas

stressfreechristmas 038 — Christmas decorations

The moms arrived around 7pm dressed in their comfy lounging clothes or PJs, with their Christmas gifts in hand, and food item from their pantry/fridge. I was excited to see what they would bring but surprisingly there was not anything too random. Just your basic shortbread cookies (I think she cheated and bought those), half bag of coconut marshmallows, M&M ice cream cake, and Pop corn. I had some food on hand for us to munch on.

stressfreechristmas 001 — The table of hors d’oeuvres included Sushi

stressfreechristmas 022 — Vegetables and Dip

stressfreechristmas 039 — Roasted vegetables pizza cooked on a stone, yummy!

stressfreechristmas 030 — Aunt Cami’s famous Rum Balls

stressfreechristmas 042 — Cucumber water, so refreshing

stressfreechristmas 025 — Centerpiece on the hors d’oeuvres table

Once everyone had a plate of food and a glass of wine we made our way over to the non-existing fire (try as I might I could not get that thing going, we have a wood burning fireplace) and talked, and talked, and talked. It was so nice to have a conversation with friends without being interrupted by a child whining, falling, or needing their butt wiped. I hated to interrupt the conversation to do the White Elephant exchange but it had to be done.

So we started the exchange and I can confidently say that it seemed like everyone actually received a gift they enjoyed. There was a beautiful metal sign, placemats, cookbook, candle, earrings, and vase with flowers (which I snagged from another mom).

stressfreechristmas 049 — I snagged this awesome vase and flowers, jealous?

It was such an enjoyable fun evening I hated to see it end. But, like Cinderella’s fairy Godmother said, when the clock strikes midnight the magic will disappear, and that it did. At midnight the magical stress-free party transformed back to reality and moms came to the realization that morning will come early and many people would be depending on them.

stressfreechristmas 011 — Each guest left with a Peppermint Stick Coco mix in a Mason jar.

stressfreechristmas 015 — My son had fun choosing the fabric we used on the jar lids and helping make the coco mix

Thankfully, like Cinderella, each mom did get to leave with proof that the stress-free party did actually occur. No, they did not receive glass slippers but they did receive small gift to help them live happily ever after. Each mom was given Peppermint stick coco mix to share with their family after sledding, making snow angels, and snowmen, on cold winter afternoons.

http://www.thethriftyhome.com

Tuesday’s Treasure: Enchanted Princess and Knight Birthday Party

November 22, 2011October 2, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

For our daughter’s birthday she decided that she would like to have a Princess and Knight theme. So we set out for the party invitation supplies and began planning an Enchanted Party. We purchased all the invitation supplies at Hobby Lobby, came home, printed off the essential information, and she helped cut and paste the invitations. It was fun sitting down, just the two of us; the younger kiddos went to bed early.

The day before her party she helped by cleaning her room, putting toys away in the family room, and decorated (the timing worked out nicely because she is working on earning a Girl Scout badge that requires these tasks). The day of her party she was up at 6am and ecstatic, there was no containing her enthusiasm, which was expected but can wear on mommy after the 50^th time of asking, “Is it time for the party yet?”

It was finally time for guest to arrive. As the Knights and Princess entered the Royal Castle she greeted them and requested that they partake in the activities set up in the kitchen. There was jewelry for the Princesses to decorate and masks for the Knights. Once everyone arrived and had a few minutes to decorate their activity we began the first game.

The first game was Princess and the Frog. The princess stood in the middle with a blindfold on and a Hershey’s kiss in her hand. Each child was given a card with an animal picture on it and one card had an image of a frog. Once all the children had their cards they were then instructed to make their animal’s sound. So the princess had to listen carefully, through the mooing, neighing, barking, meowing, clucking, baaing, oinking, and quaking to hear the ribbit of the frog. Once the princess heard the ribbit she needed to walk carefully over to the person and place the Hershey’s kiss in their hand, thus kissing the frog.

After the game the kiddos had a snack and we sang happy birthday. For the snack we made heart-shaped PB & J, Rice Krispies Star shaped wands, graham crackers with strawberry cream cheese and strawberries, Crescent rolls with strawberries and preserves, and the crème de la crème , Chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting, silver sprinkles, and magical wands.

I was surprised how long the children lingered at the table, at past birthday parties eating was a five-minute or less process, but, they are getting older. They actually talked and hanged out at the table. While they fished eating I explained that Cinderella has lost her glass slipper and would appreciate their help locating it and as a reward she would have a treat for each child once it was located.

So they began Cinderella’s Slipper search.

Clue 1- It’s a clue that you want, a clue you expect, so look by the steps that lead to the deck.

Clue 2-You’ll have a clue to keep and hold, if you go to the place where food is kept cold.

Clue 3- Now quick as a wink, look by the kitchen sink.

Clue 4- As fast as you can, there’s no time to slouch. You’ll find your next clue by the living room couch.

Clue 5- A clue, a clue, now where can one be? I think there’s one hidden near the TV.

Once they entered the family room, where our television is, they located the slipper as well as their goody bags. Each Princess received a magical pink Princess wand and tiara, stickers, chap sticks, and candy. The Knights received a Knight helmet, sword, stickers, chap sticks, and candy.

Then she opened her gifts and after gifts we took a few photographs of the kiddos all dressed as Princesses and Knights. It was such a fun party and it seemed like all the children had a wonderful time, but most importantly, my Princesses had a blast.

When her last guest went home she came up to me, gave me a great big hug, and thanked me for the bestest party. My heart melted.

Special thanks to all the moms online, in playgroup, and my life who have shared their advice and suggestions for birthday parties (especially my mom, the queen of birthday parties) To Betty Crocker for making those cake mixes from a box. To Rice Krispies for making those treats so darn versatile, I love them! To my sister for helping with the food, watch the kiddos, clean-up, and giving up her Saturday afternoon to help her family, you are amazing Cambra. Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to thank God for making us parents and allowing us to celebrate the joy that our daughter brings into our lives.