Author: Jessi Rose

Christmas Day Kids Foods

We do all of our Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve each year. So for Christmas day I decided to put out finger foods for the kids as they were coming and going throughout the day. This way I don’t have to be in the kitchen cooking, so I can enjoy Christmas day too.

Hot Chocolate Bar

My kids are crazy about hot chocolate. We got some different flavors, but I also just made some in the crock pot to have out all day. Then we added marshmallows, mints, chocolate chips, chocolate wafers and chocolate stirring spoons. I added a scoop of peppermint bark ice cream to mine… YUM!

Cheeseball Platter

My husband loves cheeseballs so we have one almost every holiday. I placed salami, crackers, and cheeses along with the cheeseball.

Fruit Pizza

Ingredients :

  • Crescent Roll Dough
  • Cream Cheese 8 oz.
  • Marshmallow Cream 1 can
  • Fruit Diced Tiny

Directions:

  1. I spread the Crescent Roll dough on a pizza pan.
  2. Then I baked it according to the directions on the can.
  3. Mix together the Cream Cheese and the Marshmallow Cream to spread on the Crescent Roll.
  4. I cut the fruit into tiny pieces.
  5. I placed the left over fruit and dip in a platter for the kids.

Vegi Pizza

Ingredients :

  • Crescent Roll Dough
  • Sour Cream 1 tub
  • Ranch packet
  • Vegetables Diced Tiny

Directions:

  1. I spread the Crescent Roll dough on a pizza pan.
  2. Then I baked it according to the directions on the can.
  3. Mix together the Sour Cream and the Ranch packet to spread on the Crescent Roll.
  4. I cut up the vegetables into tiny pieces.
  5. I placed the left over vegetables and dip in a platter.

Cheesecake

My simple little pleasure, cheesecake!

Christmas Potpourri

I got the idea for Christmas Simmer Pot gifts from https://mommymadethat.com/stovetop-potpourri-gift/. We made these for teachers, baby sitters, coaches, and neighbors. Just add orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and pine tree sprigs to some simmering water. Smelled delightful all weekend.

Family Christmas

The kids all got X-men Storm shirts from Baby Storm this year!

I love, LOVE, love, love, LOVE these kids!!!

16 Month Old Belle Toddler Photos

Disney’s  Beauty and the Beast  was one of my favorites as a child, and I absolutely loved the live action that just came out. Belle’s dream is to never stop learning, but she has to sacrifice her freedom to save her father. Of course every Disney princess has an animal sidekick, and Lumiere is such a charismatic one.

Belle is an intelligent, generous, and passionate girl.

One of the songs that I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a smart girl
Smart girl, smart girl
Storm is a smart girl
She’s my so smart girl”

I hung a gold curtain for the backdrop and used my homemade cardboard stone wall that we used in our X-Men Trunk-or-Treat. The props came from the local thrift store a few years ago. 

Her Disney Belle dress was a hand-me-down from a friend. She also wore white tights with her white sandals and Belle bow from her princess bow set. Her red  earrings are from a multi color pack that I found on Amazon.

Toddler Belle with her stacks of Little Golden Books.

2 Corinthians 9:11 “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Belle photoshoots:

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

15 Month Old Pocahontas Toddler Photos

Disney’s Pocahontas is a great movie to introduce this real life princess (daughter of the chief). Pocahontas’s dream is to have the courage to walk in another’s footsteps, and she has a cry for peace to stop a war. Of course every Disney princess has a sidekick, and Meeko is such a goofy one.

Princess Pocahontas is such a respectful, daring and bold girl.

I like to sing positive song to her, I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a bold girl
Bold girl, bold girl
Storm is a bold girl
She’s my big bold girl”

We went to a local university park on this beautifully warm November day. I brought this fabric sunflower for her to hold.

She wore a super cute fringe romper that I found on Amazon. I added her tan bow for her belt, I just put the bow in the back. Then I found this turquoise necklace that a thrift store and got these tiny turquoise earrings on Amazon. I just parted her hair and put is little braid hanging down.

1 Peter 2:17 “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor..”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Pocahontas photoshoots:

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

Chocolate Freezer Pies -16

My brilliant boy is now 16! He loves music, science, computers, games, outside, Lord of the Rings, family and friends!

Chocolate Freezer Pie

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. Hershey’s bar
  • 8 oz. Cream Cheese
  • 16 oz. Cool Whip
  • 2 Prepared 8 inch Graham Crust
  • 1/4 cup milk

Directions:

  1. Heat the chocolate and 2 tablespoons of the milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted.
  2. Beat the cream cheese and add the remaining milk. Add chocolate mix and beat until smooth.
  3. In a bowl, fold the chocolate mix into the cool whip and blend until smooth.
  4. Spoon the mix into the crusts. I decorated the pies with some extra cool whip and shaved chocolate bar for my son’s birthday.
  5. Freeze for 4 hours.

Sweetwater Music Store

I took him to the largest music store in the U.S. Sweetwater in Fort Wayne, IN. He was like a kid in a candy store. He played all of the instruments and then choose his birthday gift.

I got him an effects pedal for his electric guitar for his 16th birthday! He picked it out at Sweetwater.

His little brother got him a Lord of the Rings map.

My 16 year old is so handsome!

X-Men Trunk-or-Treat

This year it was unanimous that we wanted to dress as the X-men for Storm! I found most of the costumes at used clothing stores and made most of the other props.

X-Men Sign

Materials:

  • Cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Brown Spray Paint
  • Gold Sharpie
  • Cricut to cut letters

Directions:

  1. Cut a large oval and small circle from the cardboard.
  2. Paint both brown.
  3. Cut out letters with the Cricut and attach to the sign.
  4. Use the Sharpie to make a gold ring around the oval and circle. Make a gold X in the circle.

Mutant Pumpkins

I took the kids to the pumpkin patch to find pumpkins. They choose “mutant pumpkins” which were perfect for our Trunk-or-Treat theme of X-Men.

X-Men Trunk

I decorated the trunk to look like the gate/wall outside of Professor X’s school. Stone wall, vines, sign with address for the school, and some “mutant pumpkins”. We dressed as the characters in the 80’s Animated X-Men Series.

X-Men Costumes

Storm

I made Storm’s costume from an old white onesie and some yellow ribbon. I also made the red circular “X” badges out of some buttons. She is the reason that we chose to dress as the X-men this year!

Professor X

My 15 year old son dressed as Professor Xavier. We barrowed my mother-in-law’s wheel chair and I found a green suit and blue tie at Goodwill. It was a perfect find!

Jubilee

My son’s girlfriend dressed as Jubilee. We found all of her pieces to her outfit at Goodwill as well. The gloves are just yellow, rubber dish gloves. I made her glasses with paint pens and an old pair of sunglasses that I found. I made the earring from the red buttons that I used from Storm’s costume. People who watched the cartoon as kids knew exactly who she was!

Gambit

My younger son wanted to be Gambit, so I found a Gambit T-Shirt on Amazon. Then he used a large brown and a ski mask. The wig was from Goodwill sold brand new!

Phoenix

My step daughter wanted to be Phoenix, so I found a Phoenix T-Shirt on Amazon. Then she used a green tights and boots with yellow dish gloves. The wig was from Goodwill sold brand new!

Rogue

I dressed as Rogue and found Rogue T Shirt on Amazon. I wore green tights, an olive colored jacket, black headband, gold boots, and yellow dish gloves. I made the X’Men coms with red foam and a black sharpie, then we pinned the to our outfits!

Wolverine

My husband dressed as Wolverine. I found his Wolverine shirt on Amazon too. The boys also had some claws in their play stuff, but we lost one, so he just had 1 claw in this photo!

14 Month Old Cinderella Toddler Photos

Disney’s Cinderella  is a typical “happily ever after” movie to introduce to the toddler. Cinderella’s dream is to build a better life, and she ends up standing up for herself to fight for a better future. Of course every Disney princess has a sidekick, and Jaq is such a loyal one.

Cinderella is a kind, attentive and graceful girl.

One of the songs that I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a kind girl
Kind girl, kind girl
Storm is a kind girl
She’s my kind, kind girl”

We found this old church ruins to take her Cinderella picture this year. I also made a pumpkin carriage by carving a white pumpkin and adding blue jewels and a crown. The tiny silver clock that she is holding is from a thrift store. I also got her these silver  star magic wand to play with. Bippity Boppity Boo!

She wore a toddler Cinderella dress that someone gave to her. She wore this silver headband crown that we got for her baby pictures. She just started walking so she is wearing her soft sliver baby shoes with some white tights. She also wore her white pearl earrings.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Cinderella photoshoots:

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

Princess Carriage Pumpkin Carving

I got a white pumpkin with 2 little pumpkins to make a Cinderella Pumpkin Carriage for Storm. I also used the gem stickers to decorate it.

First we cut of the top and pulled out the pumpkin insides.

She tasted the lid before replacing it.

Then I carved a coach door and windows.

Next I added some blue gem stickers to the carriage and some sliver gem stickers to the smaller pumpkins for the wheels.

Last I added a Cinderella crown to the top of the pumpkin.

f

The Lion King Dinner Night

We love Family Movie Night and we love Disney as well. Tonight for our Lion King movie night, we made a Lion King themed dinner to eat first. The kids voted to watch the live action version this time. This was so much fun; with much of the family helping to plan, prepare, and enjoy the meal. I hope you have as much family fun as we did.

Appetizer:  Lion King Snack Mix

Ingredients:

  • Cheetos Paws
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Dipped Pretzels
  • Crunch N Munch with Peanuts
  • Reese’s Pieces

Entrée:  Hakuna Frittata

Ingredients:

  • 8 eggs
  • 1 tub Chive & Onion cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup onion  finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup fresh spinach finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green peppers finely chopped
  • 1 cup diced ham
  • Shredded Cheddar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a muffin pan (non stick or silicone).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.
  3. Stir in peppers, spinach and onion and fill muffins cups (about ¾ full). 
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until centers are completely set.
  5. Sprinkle with cheddar and melt in the oven for a couple of minutes.
  6. Serve immediately or cool to room temperature to store. 

Vegi:  Simba Vegi Tray

Ingredients:

  • Carrots
  • Red and Yellow Peppers
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Leafy Greens
  • Olives
  • Ranch Packet
  • Sour Cream
  • Large Round Wheat Crackers

Ranch Dip Instructions:

  1. Mix a tub of Sour Cream with a packet of Ranch.
  2. Place it in a small round bowl.
  3. Save the bottom of a pepper with 3 humps for the lions snout.
  4. Cut olives to place on the snout and eyes.
  5. Use the end of a red pepper stick for the nose.
  6. Add round wheat crackers for the ears.

Platter Instructions:

  1. Cut the vegies into long strips.
  2. Place the green vegie around the outside of a round tray.
  3. Place the round dip in the middle of the tray.
  4. Place the colored vegies around the dip for the lions mane.

Fruit:  Rafiki’s Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups 1/2 inch cubed fresh pineapple or 4 cups canned pineapple
  • 2 oranges, peeled and divided into sections
  • 2 mangos, peeled and diced
  • 1 bananas cut in 1/2 inch slices
  • 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
  • 2 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

Directions:

  • Combine fruits in a bowl.
  • Combine lime juice and brown sugar and add to fruits; toss to coat.
  • Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
  • Sprinkle with coconut.

Drink:  Circle of Life Sunset Drink

Ingredients:

  • Sprite
  • Pineapple Juice
  • Grenadine Syrup
  • Ice for glasses

Directions:

  1. Fill glasses with ice.
  2. Take glass and fill 1/2 full with Sprite.
  3. Top the remaining half off with Pineapple Juice.
  4. Add a splash of Grenadine Syrup.
  5. Serve to friends and family with a straw.

Dessert:  Timon & Pumbaa Bug Grub Brownies

Ingredients:

  • Brownie Mix
  • Chocolate Frosting
  • Crushed Oreos
  • Gummy Worms

Directions:

  1. Bake brownies according to the directions on the box.
  2. Cool and cut 9 wholes the size of nickels.
  3. Cover with chocolate frosting.
  4. Stick the gummy worms into the wholes.
  5. Crush the Oreos and sprinkle them on the top.

This meal was “Oh So Yummy!!! Thanks to my kids for having so much fun with me!

13 Month Old Snow White Toddler Photos

Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs  is still a bit too scary for her, but she likes the dwarfs songs. Snow White’s dream is to fill the world with sunshine, and she has to push past her fears to build a new life for herself. Of course every Disney princess has a sidekick, and The Seven Dwarfs are such protective helpers.

Snow White is so sweet, compassionate and comforting.

I like to sing an uplifting song to her, I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a sweet girl
Sweet girl, sweet girl
Storm is a sweet girl
She’s my so sweet girl”

We took these picture in our back yard again this year. This white rocking chair, oval gold mirror and brown basket I also found at a resale store.

She wore a Snow White dress that a friend had given to her. Her shoes are the red sparkle flats and her red earrings are from a multi color pack. The red bow in her hair came from a colorful pack of bow that I had bought when she was a baby as well.

Psalm 103:8 “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Snow White photoshoots:

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

12 Month Old Sleeping Beauty Toddler Photos

Disney’s Sleeping Beauty  is a bit scary with the evil mistress, but the fairies make it fun. Sleeping Beauty’s dream is to be free to explore life, and she keeps believing that dreams do come true. Of course every Disney princess has an sidekick; and Flora, Fauna and Merryweather is such protective caretakers.

Sleeping Beauty is so loving, beautiful and graceful.

I often sing an encouraging song to her, I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a pretty girl
Pretty girl, pretty girl
Storm is a pretty girl
She’s my pretty, pretty girl”

We went to our local Rose Garden to take her pictures. I brought this newborn photo bed prop for her to sit on, and wrapped some pink flowers and vines around it. Then she just held the single red rose too.

She wore her toddler Sleeping Beauty dress and her gold headband crown . She wore her white dress shoes with the bow. Lastly we put in the gold and pink earrings that I had bought a few years ago for these photoshoots.

Hebrews 13:1 “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Sleeping Beauty photoshoots:

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

→←