Party Food Boys Love

When it comes to party food, most boys aren't hard to please. They
are usually more than eager to eat whatever is presented to them.
(Keep in mind, though, if your party guests will be younger boys
they may be a bit pickier.) They will also eat more than you think
as boys often turn eating into a competition.

As a rule, boys love messy party foods. Pizza is always a good
choice, for party goers of any age. You can make it yourself,
purchase it ready-made or have it delivered for the event. The boys
will, no doubt, appreciate the addition of double cheese... it will
make things gooier.

Sloppy Joes are a good choice, when it comes to feeding hungry
boys. They are fairly inexpensive to make and can be kept warm in a
crock pot, until it's time to eat. A very simple recipe is to
brown one pound of ground hamburger with one pound of ground
turkey. Add a cup of chopped onions. If you want the "Joes" to be
extra healthy add a cup of finely chopped carrots and a cup of
finely chopped celery. Saute on medium heat until the veggies are
soft. Add a cup of ketchup and two cups of tomatoe sauce with 1/2
cup of brown sugar. Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes.
Serve them with chili cheese fries, for a meal they will rave about.

Hotdogs will please almost any youthful appetite, especially if
they are stuffed with cheese and baked in crescent roll dough.
Provide a variety of dipping sauces such as cheese, barbecue sauce
and honey mustard. Use squirt bottle for easy serving but beware
the boys will be tempted to squirt each other as well as their
hotdogs.

Grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets are an option. Jazz
up the sandwiches with different kinds of cheeses and serve three
or four choices of sauce, for the chicken.

One word of caution, many children have food allergies and must
stay away from things like nuts, dairy products, strawberries and
eggs. Before planning your party menu, it is recommended that you
contact the parents, of all potential guests, to make sure there
will not be problems. Older kids know what they shouldn't eat but
younger kids don't

Yeah School IN!! - A personal story.

Today was the first full day of school for my kids and what a day it has been.

Bubba started middle school, Ura is in the 5th grade, and Frog is now in K4. As Frog walked into her class for the first time it made me think of how much my children have grown. My baby is now in K4 and getting all grown up. It seems like yesterday that we were bringing Bubba home from the hospital and she is now in 7th grade. WOW how the time has flown by almost like the blink of an eye.

While my kids are growing up I have always made it a goal to remember special days, weather it be vacations, first days of school, and birthday's. I'm not one of those Mom's that follow their kids with a camera every where they go but I do find something to remember the day. So each of my kids have a tote that these little treasures go into and we tag the item with a little note about what happened this day or week. So my goal today was to find something for each of them.

As I looked at each of them when they returned home from school my brain was still thinking of things to remember the day. I asked them how it went today and of couse the answer was like usual "FINE". Bubba stated that she was bored because all the teachers did was "talk". "We didn't learn a thing.", in other words they learned the ins and outs of middle school. Ura came out with "I'm the teachers special assistant again this year", she has the tendency to be the class Mom and tries to help keep the kids in line. And Frog "Mom, you know K4 is just like K3 and guess what I'm not the biggest kid.", by almost 5yr old is quite tall for her age. It was then that I figured out what each of them was to get. Bubba, a combination lock. This is the first year that she has to use one. Not only for her books but a gym locker too. Now she has a hard time opening one more or less two. Frog is going to get a tape measure with her height measured on it, to mark the fact that she wasn't the "biggest kid". Now for Ura I'm still at a loss, I want to find her something that will go with being a kid because this is something she forgets sometimes to be.

In closing I would like to remind you all that our children are special and all the days ahead are once in a lifetime days. There will never be another First day of middle school. Another first day of K4. Another first day of 5th grade for those children. And the time you spend today with your kids are the memories that will be there in the future.

What to do if a Guest has special needs?

As school is starting it has made me think about what my kids can and can't take to school for snacks. In today's world with so many kids being allergic to just about everything I try to be careful on what I send to school for my kids to share.

Peanut Butter, Wheat products, eggs, dairy, and list goes on and on. To tell you the truth there is no way to avoid everything but some careful thinking will help you out. The same holds true for any events that you hold at your home or even away from home. Thinking about these guests will make their experiences at your party even more enjoyable because they will be able to take part in everything.

10 Quick Tips to dealing with Allergies

1) Communicate with parents and guests directly in advance. Being prepared
as best you can, will eliminate a stressful situation during the party.

2) Maintain an appropriate sense of confidentiality. Show respect for
an individual's privacy as best you can in this very social situation.

3) Work together so everyone feels safe and included. Understand what
foods must be avoided, and which are safe so there are no surprises.

4) Being prepared by speaking directly with your guest or parent will make
you a better host. Ask for assistance if necessary, but do all you can to
make your guest feel "welcome, expected and included".

5) Many times, people with food allergies are served last because their meals
must be prepared separately. You will really touch someone's heart if you
go the extra mile to make sure this does not happen!

6) While planning your party, ask your guest's parents for delicious,
safe menu ideas.

7) Welcome your guests with food allergies to bring along their own food,
and encourage them to bring enough to be shared. This way your other
guests will learn than allergy-free foods can be delicious, too.

8) Designate an allergy-free area at the table. This will comfort your guest
with food allergies.

9) Make sure your guests do not trade food. When guests leave and return
to their seats, ask that they do just that -- return to their own seats!

10) If a child is food allergic, make sure a responsible adult is watching out
for that guests' safety during the party.

By following these few tips will make your guest Included in all that you do.

Now what do you do if a guest has another type of special need? No matter if it is a physical or emotional disability these simple tips will help and by doing a little work in the for front will make a much happier day for all.

Guest with Disabilities Tips

1) The Location

Look for a location that is easily accessible both inside and out for not only the child but any equipment they might need - wheelchairs.

Make sure they have at least 1 bathroom that is large enough for a wheelchair. We get so use to seeing these that it is surprising that they might not have one so don't take it for granted that they do.

On the inside is it easy to move around? Are the hallways wide? Are there stairs to get to where you need to go? Do they have elevators? These are all little things that you need to consider.

Now if you are doing the party in your home I understand that some of this is out of your control but try to make your home as accessible as possible for your guests.


2) Activities

Start by taking into account any disabilities you will be dealing with.
**For children with Eye issues, then playing games that are more vocal is a great idea.
**For the wheel chair bound, then plan activities like crafts and board games they can easily do no mater where they are.

Music and art is always a great idea for birthday party activities for any children with handicaps or disabilities!

3) Food

And finally, just like children with food allergies work with the parents to find out if there are any dietary needs of these children. Make food that everyone can enjoy.

Harley Davidson - Biker Childrens Parties

With the rumbling of Motorcycles upon us here in the Milwaukee area for Harley Davidson's(HD)105th Anniversary and Harley Owner Groups(HOG)40th Anniversary, it has made me think of fun ways for the kids to celebrate also. So much as focused on the Mom's and Dad's here that they have forgotten about their future riders and the kids of those riders today.

So Johnny has said "Mom I want a HD biker party for my Birthday" now what is a Mom to do.

Invites: Be creative...use places like www.vistaprint.com and you can design personal invites. Or send a biker bandanna (check your local HD dealership or bike shop or visit places on the web like eBay) with a note with all your party information attached. A few quotes comes to mind as I write this...We're going HOG wild for (Child Name) Birthday Party. Please come join us for a WILD RIDE!...or...Get your Motor running..Head out on the Highway..Lookin for you to join us for (Child Name) Birthday Party. You get the hint! LOL.


Cake: Most of your local bakery's will offer you some type of Motorcycle or HD cakes. If you are making your own cake a great idea is to use Hotwheels or Matchbox bikes to decorate the top of the cake with...Easily pipe yourself a road and attach the bikes to the road. Don't forget about cupcakes. Children love to have their own little cake. Decorate the top with a small motorcycle or use an Oreo with a small round candy on top (hold with frosting) to make a tire for the top of your cupcakes.

Decorations: Decorate your room in all Black and Orange. Visit your local party supply house for motorcycle cut outs, HD logos, tools to work on your bike with, and clothing (use t-shirts that you can pin to the wall for decorations..good place to get these cheap is a resale shop.) or you can visit the links to the left places like Oriental Trading or Makes Parties.
Ask your quests to dress the part. HD t-shirts and jeans, or biker leathers if they have them. And don't forget the shades.

Games/Activities:

Build a HD:
Split guest into 2 or 3 teams. With a Large piece of Poster board or card board cut out the basic shape of a motorcycle one for each team. Now have other poster board, markers, scissors, tape or glue dots, and various other craft supplies, don't forget aluminum foil for the chrome work, to have the teams create their very own "Dream Cycle". Give the teams a time limit to design and create their bikes. Have another adult guest pick the winner but make sure you have prizes for all.

HD Relay Race
Before the party, use old tires, cones, chairs and boxes to prepare the obstacle course. Divide the kids into two teams. Provide each team with motorcycle goggles a leather jacket and boots, or other cycle gear.
The first player on each team, will put on the jacket and goggles and run the race. Then, return to his team to pass off the items to the next runner. Continue until all of the kids have run the course. First team to finish, wins! You can vary this by doing it with bikes outside if the weather is nice.

Stuff Your Own Activity
Of course there are stuff your own animal parties that can offer you Biker animals as another great activity for the kids. Complete with Biker Leathers and bandanna this is a great way for your guests to remember the awesome party they had. (And Mom its educational too!!)

Pin the Bike to the Road
Just like pin the tail on the donkey game that we have all played, except create a road on a piece of poster board and cut a motorcycle out of a magazine. Blind fold each guest and see who can get the closest to the road. Simple but Fun!

Pinata
Then there is the always tried and true Pinata stuffed with all kinds of Motorcycle stuff, stickers, toys, and candy. Don't forget the TATOO's

Food and Snacks:
Well the guests have arrived and everyone is starving. What are you going to serve them to snack on. Try a few of these ideas.

Cycle PB&J
Making simple PB&J sandwiches use a cycle cookie cutter to cut out cool snacks. (Be careful with Peanut butter some guests might be allergic so double check with parents first)or use your favorite lunch meat and cheese.

Backyard BBQ
Bikers love BBQ make it simple with just burger or hot dogs, beans, and chips.

HOG Wild Highway Mix
Just like your favorite trail mix..but add things like motorcycle gummies or bbq crackers.


So as you can see it can be done. If you have any other suggestions please share with us all.

Slideshow

*Huggin and Stuffin with Noah's Ark

I've been asked by many what is Noah's Ark?

Noah's Ark Animal Workshops is a Direct Sales Company that I joined back in April 06, when I was looking for something to replace a promise I had made to my Girl Scout Troop. I originally promised to take my girls to Build A Bear if they made their sales quota, that they each set, during our annual cookie sale. The thought of taking 28 girls to the mall sent shivers down my spine, as it would any normal MOM. I kept thinking what if....someone walked away and got lost...all the girls bugged me for more than what the troop could afford...i didn't get enough parent volunteers to get the girls to the mall.

So as I was searching the WWW I found several companies out there that offered "Stuff your own Animals" and thought to myself...hey this might work. So I click on many sites, all in different tabs in my browser and waited for them all the load and to compare what they had to offer.

As I clicked on each tab, I saw tons of adorable animals. The concept was easy, hand stuff your animal, make a wish on a heart or star, name it with a birth certificate, and zip it closed. Yeah NO SEWING. They all had lots of fun clothing options for the girls to pick from and sound chips too. Perfect. This will work. They all would either ship me what ever the girls wanted or would come to our meeting and do it with us. It didn't matter what company I picked because all the animals were basically the same and so were the prices.

That's when I clicked on the Noah's Ark tab and to my surprise the animals were ALL different, the clothing options were unique also, and the prices were comparable to the other companies. Hey, this is really COOL! So I kept reading and placed a request for contact from a local Party Leader. After hearing from my local leader I knew this was the job for me and my Girl Scout Troop was my 1st Party, and Boy I've had the most fun since then.

COMPANY HISTORY
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop was formed when our founder, Dina Amico-Kriescher, recognized the need for convenient, unique and affordable home birthday parties. Once she began her personal business, she quickly saw the demand for a traveling "Make-Your-Own-Stuffed-Animal" Workshop where children actually make their own stuffed animal! In addition to Birthday Parties, she was asked to conduct workshops for Preschools, Day Care Centers, Play Groups, Library "Teddy Bear" Story Hours, Summer Camps, Girl Scout Troops, Children's Hospitals, Baby Showers, Kids Fairs and 'just for fun home workshops' where the host invites neighbors, family and friends over to make their own stuffed animal, then dress them in an adorable outfit. This one-of-a kind experience, where children and parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles, experience the fun and joy of creating their very own stuffed animal together, from start to finish, can't be matched! Everyone had a great time and Dina had oodles of fun conducting the Workshops. In addition to the fun, she was excited with the extra income she was earning, and was able to not only help out with the necessities, but was also able to buy the 'extras' for her family!

As Dina's local Noah's Ark business and the demand for Stuffing Workshops grew, her sisters, Lisa, Nikki and Tracie jumped aboard and became part of the core Noah's Ark Crew Member Team. Aware of the high interest from others in the opportunity, Dina consulted with her Father, John Sr. and brother John Jr., business and direct selling experts, and together they began developing the Noah's Ark Crew Member business opportunity.

In 2004 Noah's Ark Animal Workshop, Inc. was launched, giving others the opportunity to MAKE THEIR DREAMS happen! In 2006, Noah's Ark launched Bella Bee Workshop, a traveling Glamour Girls Workshop that teaches the importance of beauty on the inside. And in 2007, the Collectors Club, feautring Noah Baby collectibles was introduced joining the hands-on fun and excitement of a Noah's Ark Workshop, with collect-ability prestige, creating a unique blend of memory making fun and collectible appeal with limited supply, Noah Baby Collectibles.

Well we're off to the Blogging World

Well my first Blog post..what do you know...I'm slowly getting into the world of cyberspace and all the fun that it has.

I've slowly joined some great groups like www.themompack.com, and www.cafemom.com and enjoyed a great deal talking to other at home Moms and learning about the business that they do or the activities that they are in. It's hard to believe that a little over 3 yrs ago I thought the computer was a GIANT Calculator...LOL..now I'm reworking my web sites with html codes and making a blog.

A little about me. (Well maybe a lot..)

I'm a WAHM (Work at Home Mom) to 3 girls, Bubba, Ura (of course their nick names), and Toad or Frog (depends on the day if she is being an ugly TOAD or my cute little froggie!) We live in a small house in the burbs of Milwaukee, along with my DH and 2 dogs...Mutt and Jeff (nick names again).

Beside my Job as MOM and the "Stuffed Animal Lady", I'm a Girl Scout Leader, Very Active in my kids schools both in the PTA and just helping where I can, and love to bowl (this is my Adult time).

I've always loved planning parties. When I was 23 I planned my first real party, and a huge party of 200 people at that, for my parents 25th Anniversary/Mortage Burning Party. I did everything myself except making the cake. I think catering it was the most work and the most fun, I love when people get to taste something you put a lot of heart and soul into.

Just from doing this party I was asked to help with maybe about 5 or 6 more over the next few years. A lot of my friends were starting to have kids and thus starting having birthday parties for them which got me to start thinking of doing this for a living..hmm.

Life continued and I had gotten a "real" job but my heart was always looking for a reason to plan a party for something or another...finally after getting married and having kids of my own I found my reason..My kids.

Birthday parties at my house is always a big deal. The Birthday's in our house start in Late Fall and run until Mid Winter, so having an outdoor party is out of the question..unless we are going sledding or wanting to freeze our tookies off. So I always have to come up with affordable ideas to do inside especially in these days of having to be better than the "JONES". The same holds true for scouting. Trying to come up with different ideas for the same group of girls for 5 years gets to be difficult for some but by thinking outside the box you can figure out a way to do it.

Thus is the reason for my blog..helping Mom's find affordable party ideas for Birthday's, Scouts, School events, or any where children's entertainment is needed.

I hope you all come back and check out what I can come up with to help you. If you have any questions or would like for me to cover a certain theme or type of party please let me know. Just email me at blog.hugginandstuffin@gmail.com.