Blog - Page 27 of 28 - The OK MommaThe OK Momma

UPDATE: I’m digging up this oldie but a goodie to link with Andrea for Show and Tell Tuesday. Welcome to my daughter’s first birthday party – by FAR the most fun event I’ve hosted! Oh, and now that I have some hindsight and experience on this, I’d skip the favors I made and just order a bunch of pie pops from Viva La Pies. You can read about how I discovered them and how much I love them here.

Just over a month ago, G turned one! We had a winter ONEderland for our January babe and just had the BEST time!

And since I am very prompt, here are the pictures:

(Huge thanks to G’s godmother, Shannon. Without her I would have exactly zero pictures of the party. I handed her my camera at the beginning of the day and told her to snap away – nothing says hostess with the mostest like giving your guests a job. Love you, Shanny!)

I had the MOST fun putting this together. All of the wintry decorations came from Hobby Lobby’s after Christmas sale. I was able to re-sell most of the decorations to a local momma having a ONEderland party as well, making the decor super cheap. Momma loves a good deal! Also, I just threw tulle on everything and called it a day. Throwing a party for a little girl? Buy stock in tulle.

I kept things pretty simple food-wise. The party was in the afternoon so I just served little bites & some sweet treats. A local grocery did her beautiful cake, my mother-in law made cookies, and the fruit platter was from Jason’s Deli.

Really, all I made was the Dill Nibbles (my family’s version of chex mix). Not having to cook the day of the party was the best decision ever.

The rest of the food was just candy that matched the very pink Onederland theme! Nana (my mom) helped a TON with pulling this together. She’d pick up things here & there as she saw them and really helped me make everything just lovely.

A bone to pick with the guests: You left behind too much candy. I’m eating some of it as I type this. Not cool, guests. Next time, eat more!

We had drinks and favors in the kitchen. In keeping with the ONEderland theme, the party favor bin has hot chocolate bags that I put together as well as cotton candy “snow”.

I harnessed all of my crafting ability to make that high chair skirt – her next party may be tutu themed as a result.

Easily, the best thing I did was have a guest book for family & friends to sign. I loved looking through it after the party was over and it is such a precious keep-sake. I used Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss – but any favorite children’s book would be great.

Remnants of the smash cake. Like mother, like daughter: we eat our chocolate with enthusiasm, man. I’ve never been more proud.

I cannot put into words how much I treasure this Favorite Things Poster from Moulage Collection on etsy. The picture doesn’t really do justice to just how pretty this is – I plan to get it framed and hang it in her room. I love that we have something that perfectly captures our little girl at one!

We ended the party with opening presents. To say our family and friends were generous to G is an understatement. She caught on to the present-opening pretty quickly and LOVED grabbing tissue paper out of the bags!

I still marvel that I have a one year old, it really seems like just yesterday that I was a sleep deprived new momma. I miss those days, but I wouldn’t trade the fun we’re having now for anything.

Happy birthday, G! We love you to the moon & back!

Posted by Kelly & filed under Motherhood, Play, The Girl. This post has 11 comments.

One of my favorite easy meals to make are these southwestern sweet potatoes. It is the perfect quick meal to throw together on a busy week night. Especially if you do some of the veggie chopping in advance!

Also. It has come to my attention that there are people who only eat sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving with sweet toppings. Listen. Sweet potatoes can be savory. There is no need to limit their toppings to just marshmallows. Nobody puts ~~baby~~ sweet potatoes in a corner. Let them be more!

Southwestern Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

3-4 Sweet potatoes (1 per person eating)
1 can black beans
1 Red pepper, diced
1/2 Red onion, diced
Cilantro
2 tsp Cumin, divided
2 tsp Chili Powder, divided
2 tsp Paprika, divided
1/3 cup Greek Yogurt
Mexican cheese blend
Salt
Olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions:

Dice a red pepper, 2 cloves of garlic, and half a red onion. Set aside. Or in little glass bowls if you like to pretend you are on a cooking show like I do.

It’s the little things. Don’t judge me.

Pause to take note that your cooking show audience is doing this to your kitchen. Bless it. This is why we have a tupperware only cabinet. No harm, no foul.

Pour can of black beans into a small pot. Add 1 clove minced garlic, 3-4 sprigs of cilantro and a pinch of salt. Don’t bother chopping it. It’ll be okay – just toss it in. Get this going so you can get to the rest.

Simmer on low heat for around 15 minutes, or until no longer watery, stirring occasionally.

Wash potatoes and score well with a fork.

Wrap in a damp paper towel and cook in the microwave, one at a time. About 7-8 minutes each.

While black beans are simmering, and potatoes are nuking in the microwave, Combine greek yogurt with cumin, paprika, and chili powder to taste (about a tsp of each). Set aside.

Note: If you aren’t using greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream yet, now is your chance. I pinky promise you won’t notice and it will be delicious.

Put olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add peppers, onion, and the other clove of minced garlic. Season with cumin, chili powder, and paprika. A dash or two of each spice. Don’t get fussy about measuring – a little sprinkle of each will be perfect.

Cook until onions are carmelized.

Add black beans being careful to not add any extra liquid and stir to combine.

Fresh jalapenos would be delicious to add to this if you like the extra spice. I don’t because I’m cooking for a toddler but they would give this dish a great, fresh kick!

Slice potatoes down the middle and top with cheese, black bean/pepper combo, & greek yogurt. Garnish with cilantro.

Enjoy!

Posted by Kelly & filed under Recipes. This post has 4 comments.

No one has ever accused me of being a crafty person. Let it be known that I am SO THANKFUL that G gets to do arts & crafts while she is at daycare. Because, lo, that is not my gift.

However. I just realized that Valentines Day is, um, tomorrow. A Saturday. So I should probably go ahead and make a memory of it.

Enter: Pinterest. Because while I am artistically challenged, I can follow directions thankyouverymuch.

So if you’re like me, and it has just now, on February 13th, occurred to you that tomorrow is Valentines day and perhaps you should do something with your kids for it – here is my Pinterest round up of easy crafts & activities to do with your cherubs. Best part? You only really need 5 things to do all 5 activities – now if this isn’t an easy after work errand, I don’t know what is:

Supply list:

Washable paint
Paint brush
Construction paper (various colors)
Scissors
Pen

1. Heart Tube Stamping

(source)

I mean. Hi. This is so easy. Paper towel/toilet paper roll + paint = heart stamp. Stamp, stamp, stamparoo little ones!

2. Love Notes Jar

(source)

Okay. So this is technically not a craft. But this is so my jam. No mess? Check. Words of affirmation? Check. Something the whole family can do? Check. In future years I can see us filling this up starting on February 1st and reading on the 14th. Since I’m a last minute momma here maybe tomorrow we’ll just fill ‘er up throughout the day and read before bedtime.

3. “Handmade” hearts

(source)

I’m 100% doing this one for the simple fact that I own construction paper. Winning. Also how cute is that? Let’s all pause and pray that G will hold still long enough for me to trace her hand so my Valentine dreams can come true.

4. Love Art

(source)

I actually saw this last year and wanted to do it. But, well, I had a 4 week old and realized I probably shouldn’t put paint on her hands & feet. This year? I think yes. I’ll probably put her in the bathtub to do this and use washable paint – then she’ll get a bath immediately when we’re done.

5. Compliment Hearts

(Source)

G is too little to do this now but I love this game! Assign different “compliments” to each color heart. Ex: “I love ___ because” or “my favorite thing about (name) is” Have the person stand on a heart and then draw a name – they then have to compliment the person whose name they drew based on the heart color.

Happy Valentines Day!

Posted by Kelly & filed under Play. This post has 2 comments.

The Winter ONEderland

Meatless Monday: Southwestern Sweet Potatoes

5 Last Minute Valentine’s Day Activities

Categories

Search

Lately

As Seen On