Strawberry-Banana Oatmeal Pops

I am always trying new things to entice Marina into eating healthy. One of the easiest ways for me to do that is to make popcicles. She thinks she is getting a treat but she is actually getting healthy food!

My latest recipe incorporates the goodness of Kabrita Goat’s Milk, Healthy oats and fruit.

 

Strawberry- Banana Oatmeal Pops

• 1 cup Kabrita Goat’s Milk – 2 tbs powder to 1 cup water – (You can use your choice of milk)
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped strawberries (frozen can be used)
• 1 banana cut in pieces
• 2 tbs prune puree
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (if desired)
• 1 1/2 tsp honey (or other sweetener if desired)

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into popcicle molds and freeze for at least 6 hours. This recipe can also be used as a breakfast smoothie. Just pour into glasses and serve.

When Life Takes Over…

Sometimes even the best laid plans can go down the tubes. Unfortunately, we had to cancel Marina’s birthday party. It seemed like everyone in the house had some sort of flu bug that just wouldn’t go away the week before. The last thing we wanted to do was pass it on to the kiddos that would be attending. So far it looks like it is passing Marina up. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

She still had a great celebration with family and Elsa did indeed make her visit (Auntie’s rule!!). She loved her birthday cake even though it looked like a snowstorm gone wrong and just seeing the joy on her face when she got her Frozen Jeep was worth all of the preparing and planning that we had into the party. Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Party Planning On A Budget

One of the easiest ways I have found to save money on the cost of a birthday party are the decorations. There are so many amazing printables and how-tos available on the net for free, that you can minimize your costs to the materials needed to complete the projects. Parties are no different. A simple search will bring you so many ideas and in most cases a focused search will bring up freebies you can use for your party.

Marina’s theme this year is Frozen and I went on a massive search for anything I could find Frozen related. I found some beautiful printables available on Disney’s website. The first thing that caught my eye was the gorgeous Elsa Wall hanger which will go perfectly with our theme. The also have cute Olaf and Anna wall hangers.

I also found some great 3D paper dolls of both Elsa and Anna That we will be using as part of our center pieces.

Here is a list of some party printable packs that I have found for free:

• Homeketeer’s Frozen Party Printables
• Catch My Party Frozen Party Printables

For the paper plates and utensils, we’ll be going the the color scheme of the party. Our local dollar store carries a great selection of party supplies in different colors at an average of $1.00 per package, which is a significant savings compared to what it would cost to purchase character driven supplies.

The Dessert Bar Dilemma

I have been searching the net for weeks trying to plan the perfect Frozen themed party for Marina and the one thing that I come across constantly are these gorgeous displays of sweets and goodies that would entice both children and adult alike. They also come at a very hefty price tag.

The centerpiece is usually a cake that is either an elegant confection of swirling buttercream in themed colors or a towering work of art. The price tag on these cakes can range from $60 for a simple grocery store bakery cake to $100s of dollars for a cake from a specialty bakery. I am planning a party meant for toddlers who aren’t going to really care about how everything looks so I am redirecting the money I would spend on the cake into non food surprises for the kids.

To cut the costs of purchasing a cake we are going to bake Marina’s cake from scratch. My mom has baked cakes for each of us throughout the years and I am looking forward to one of her homemade cakes this year for Marina. I will be sharing her recipe in another post later this month.

No desert bar would be complete without a couple of other treats like cake pops and chocolate dipped oreos. My sister and I are going to tackle those with her. These will be a first for us and I am looking forward to channeling my inner “Cake Boss”.

With all of the inspiration and how-tos on the net, I am sure we can create some delectable treats the kids will love.

Kid’s Birthday Club Round-up

Marina loves getting stuff in the mail and with her birthday coming up I’d like to share the children’s birthday clubs she is signed up for that actually have sent something for her,  even if it is just a card. Marina loves her birthday cards!

1). Toys-R-Us – Geoffrey’s Birthday Club is pretty awesome. Each year she has received a card and gift from Geoffrey. When you make your in store visit, your child gets a balloon, birthday crown, and a special announcement over the intercom. You can even register for your child to receive a birthday phone call from Geoffrey. This year they now include a coupon for a free 12″ Plush Geoffrey and storybook for your little one.

2). Barnes and Noble Kids Club – Register you child for Barnes and Noble’s Kids club and get 30% off on any one kids’ book or toy for your children. Get $5.00 in rewards for every $100 spent on kids’ stuff and your child receives a free cupcake in their cafe on their birthday.

3). Peacable Kingdom – Join Peacable Kingdom’s Birthday Club and your little one will get a card and an extra surprise in the mail. Marina has received cards with stickers inside.

4). Nick Jr. – Your child will get a phone call from their favorite character as part of Nick Jr’s Birthday club. You will also get access to free printables, party planning tips and other Nick Jr. fan exclusives.

5). Journeys Kidz – Journeys Kidz Birthday Club will send your child a card with an invitation to redeem and in store birthday offer.

6). The Children’s Place – Join The Children’s Place rewards and register for the birthday club. They will send a 20% off coupon for your child’s birthday.

7). Captain D’s – Join the Kid’s Birthday Club and your child receive a free kid’s meal for their birthday.