Cookie Cutters

I love my Valentine cookie cutters, don't you? The hearts, the kissy lips, the X's andO's, the cupids . . . but I don't so much love making sugar cookies. Anybody else? It seems like they turn out too hard, too soft and breakable or too sweet. Besides, if I make a batch of cookies guess who is going to eat them all? Me. Yikes.

So, I want to do some fun activities with my cookie cutters that don't involve an insane sugar overload. Here are my favorite ideas:

Heart-shaped French Toast

Mini Valentine Pizzas (cute right? Cut them out, add sauce, cheese and toppings and bake)

Heart-shaped Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwiches

Valentine Cheesy Bisquits

X and O Jello Jigglers

Heart Shaped Eggs & Toast

(Photo from Martha Stewart)

What are your favorite ideas?

Valentine Party

Especially now that I have a little one I want holidays to be more special. I've been thinking a lot about traditions that I want to establish. I don't want every holiday to end with my son getting a stack of presents and a pile of candy though, I want something more.

For Valentines we've come up with some ideas and we're ready to paaarty! We're hosting our party on Monday the 15th, since that day seemed to work better for everyone we invited.

For the menu we're having Crockpot Lasagna (my mom's making it, she says it's amazing and will pass along the recipe) and I'm using my 2 coupons for free Papa Murphey pizza. I'm throwing together a salad, homemade breadsticks and some type of chocolate gooey dessert.

Now, here's the part I'm most excited about - Be Mine Boxes. I printed out these boxes on card stock and decorated them with each person's name. I put a piece of red paper through the paper shredder and crinkled it at the bottom.

Each guest has been instructed to bring an item for everyone that will fit in their box. After dinner we'll open our little boxes and see what we got. The only rule is, it has to fit in the box.

Here are some ideas: A quarter or dollar bill, a piece of gum, tootsie rolls, love notes, Hershey's kisses, peanut butter cup, lip gloss, IOU coupons, gift certificates, mini candy bars, lifesavers, and much more!

I'm excited to see what creative ideas people come up with!

I've included a blank box pattern so you can decorate your own. I'm imagining this as a long-lasting tradition. When my little guy is older he can decorate his own box and hopefully look forward to Valentine's Day every year.

Halloween Party

It's time to start preparing for Halloween! We are hosting a Halloween party for about 15 including kids. We will do a dinner at 4 with a few games, so after wards we can load up the little ones for some trick or treating before it gets dark.

I delivered spider invitations yesterday.

I created this jpeg (leave a comment and I will email you a pdf if you want it) for the spider's middle.


I glued the wording onto black cardstock and cut around it. I put 4 hole-punches around the edge for the legs. I cut a black pipe cleaner into 3 sections, bending into an L shape for each leg. I looped the pipe cleaner leg through the hole and twisted it until secure. The googly-eyes are hot glued on the top. Presto!


I don't have the menu totally nailed down yet. Here's what I have to so far:

Munchies:
Deviled Eggs
Carrot Sticks and dip
Pink Lemonade
Green Grapes

Dinner:
Make your own Pizza Bombs
Sauce, cheese, olives, green pepper, canadian bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms, jalepenos, pineapple and parmesan cheese

Dessert:
Chocolate cupcakes with orange frosting and chocolate spiders

Of course, I need to give all of the menu items scary names like "vampire blood, human guts and brains" but that will come later. I'll post recipes soon!