Pancakes and Pajamas!

October is truly my favorite month of the year. It has been jam packed with events starting with the girls 2nd birthday. The theme for their birthday party this year was "pancakes and pajamas" and all the kiddos came dressed in their favorite PJ's and we had all out breakfast themed party. So cute.

The best part about the party was the pancake bar and the Funfetti pancake "cake" I made. (Its actual pancakes with icing on top!) I am going to make it a tradition every year to make the girls these pancakes for their birthday breakfast.

I also copied this cute idea from Pinterest to use brown wrapping paper as a table cloth. Then you can write on the paper, label the food, decorate etc. And we also put confetti everywhere! (Which I am still finding almost 3 weeks later!) I am thinking I should use this for every party now. So easy.

I wrote fun, silly quotes from the girls on the table and then "morning" related and "cake" related sayings on the food tables.  I also tried to keep everything in single serving sizes to make it easy for everyone to serve themselves.

Menu:
Mini Egg Omelets
Fruit
Donut Skewers
Sausage / Bacon
Pancake Bar (Toppings included blueberries, chocolate chips, whipped cream, sprinkles, bananas, peanut butter and Nutella!)
- I made the pancakes ahead of time and then froze them individually. After you make the pancakse let them cool. Lay them flat on a cookie sheet with wax paper as your base. Freeze them for 6 hours on a cooking sheet with wax paper separating the layers. Once fully frozen you can put them in a large freezer bag. To reheat simply bake 350 degrees in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
Cupcakes (Giant Eagle will give you a free smash cakes for the kids!)
Granola Parfait (Start with a base of yogurt and layer berries and granola in small plastic cups)
Funfetti Cake!

I think the girls had fun! And I learned that having a breakfast themed party is pretty fun too!
XO -
Holly

The Friday 5! (Fall Fun Edition!)

Hi friends. I am back with the Friday 5. Which I actually started writing on Friday but never made it around to publishing. So here it is, a few days late! This a snapshot of all of our favorite things of the week, this week focused on fall fun!

#1 Giant Salted Pumpkin Cookies
I have been dreaming of these all week. Don't they look amazing? I think I have to eat something pumpkin at least 2-3 times a day!

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#2 Five Ways to be a Pro Mom. 
I have reference Ivanka Trump several times on this blog and while I am confident our lives are nothing the same (I am pretty sure she didn't scrub the kitchen floor while her kids napped today, but you never know!), she is is oddly relatable. I love her positivity and it makes me feel like I can go out and accomplish anything!

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#3 What to Wear this Fall and Winter

This season just makes me obsessed with outfits. More than normal :) I LOVE boots, infinity scarves, rich colors etc. I could spend HOURS on Pinterest just looking at outfits. I have been trying really hard to focus on some key pieces. This guide is awesome. 

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#4 French Bread Mummies
This time of year, candy is everywhere. I thought these were a fun and kid friendly alternative to the typical Halloween treat!

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#5 Fall Family Fun

And last but certainly not least, we have had quite a few adventures lately in our household from Homecoming to the twins 2nd birthday to pumpkin picking to hay rides and finally our family picture sessions which we did as OSU's Mirror Lake this year. It was the anniversary of my husband and I's first date which was an OSU football game. It was pretty cool to go back 13 years later with the family. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

I'm working on a full October recap! Coming soon :) (If you can't tell its my FAVORITE month of the year!)

Have a great week!

XO,

Holly

The Friday Five! (Pumpkin Edition!)

Hello friends. Its another recap of all my favorite moments and things in the week (unfortunately a few days late...because well, that is just how it goes sometime).  My inbox has been filling up with all things pumpkin lately. I am OBSESSED. I can't stop. Here are my top favorites.

1) Pumpkin Cupcakes. I know, these are not really the healthiest treat, but they LOOK so good. Maybe I will just stare at them all week so they stay calorie free!

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2) Pumpkin Sage Stuffed Shells. Pasta and pumpkin in one serving. OMG. 

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3) Pumpkin Nut Muffins. These are breakfast staples in our house in the fall. I hope the girls like them as much as I do!! (I'm making them for their birthday party next week which has a breakfast theme, so they REALLY better like them!)

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4) Continuing on the breakfast theme, how about some pumpkin pecan pancakes? YUMM!!!!

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5) And last but not least are these double chocolate pumpkin cookies. These definitely are going to have to go in the freezer or I am going to eat them ALL! Everything in moderation right? 

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The great thing about pumpkin is it counts as a veggie. I have been adding it to my smoothie in the morning and getting 2 full servings of veggies and a fruit (banana) in one meal! 

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Saturday was so rainy and gloomy but Sunday was amazing. We have been taking full advantage of the fall weather with lots of walks (and cute fall outfits of course!) I just can't resist! The girls love to name all the colors of the leaves. Which basically means our walks take HOURS. :)

Have a great week!
XO,

Holly