Creative Lunch ideas for school

School is in session and for most kids they usually either bring lunch to school or purchase food at the cafeteria. I personally do a combo of both. I wanted to focus on making 
creative lunch ideas for your little one.

Lord of the rings book cake by mommybakesnj

My brother wanted to surprise his girlfriend with a great 21st bday cake. It so happens to be that she's a huge "Lord of the rings" fan. So of course the cake had to follow that theme.

Harvest Festival at The New Overpeck Park

I just got back from the Harvest Festival at the New Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park, NJ. The event was great with live music playing in the background.

Rainbow iced cupcakes by mommybakesnj

Super easy to make your own rainbow iced cupcakes. First mix the icing with the colors you'd like to see. I choose more subtle colors but you have several colors to choose from or create your with food coloring.

Once you've selected your buttercream colors place each color in piping bag (as shown below).

Kylie's passion for fashion RUUM/Osh Kosh B'gosh

We purchased this cute outfit at Osh Kosh B'gosh (skinny jeans) and RUMM kids wear (lace top).  When I saw the skinny jeans I immediately knew I wanted a military meets chic look. 

FREE Trial class ages 4 months to 2.5 years old

Just found out DDA Dance Academy in Paramus, NJ is having a FREE trial class this Tuesday, September 30, 2014. The class is New Music and Movement Mommy & Me. Perfect for mommy groups! The schedule is as follows:

9:30 am ages 10 months-19 months 
10:30 am ages 19 months-2.5 years old
12 pm ages 4 months-10 months

*Each class is 40 minute sessions.

Although this free trial is based on the babies they do offer classes for toddlers, teens and adults. It's conveniently located at 40 Eisenhower Drive Paramus, NJ 07652 right by Bounce U. For class schedule and pricing please visit: http://ddadance.com/

Apple Picking Places and Recipes

We recently went apple picking to Alstede Farms(http://alstedefarms.com/) in Chester, NJ. We had a great time the farm was filled with animals, corn maze, pick your own berries/apple/Asian pears/veggies/flowers and you can also shop at their local store. They have tons of things to entertain the kids with. We defintely had a great time.

I had also recently read an article on CBS.com and they had a list of the top 5 place to go apple picking on the tristate area. I listed it below for you to get an idea of where to go.

DIY Wreath for under $10.00 by mommybakesnj

What you will need:

Wreath ($2 on sale)

Elmer glue ($1)

Glitter ($1)

Fake leaves ($1)

Paint ($1)

Glue gun with glue sticks ($3.50)

I purchased most of my supplies at AC Moore. (you can print coupons online)

Disney Princess party and cake by mommybakesnj

Brunch Eggo Empanada by mommybakesnj

Proud to announce I just entered the Eggo Recipe Contest!

https://www.facebook.com/Eggo/app_543851122380398

I have included a tutorial of how I did my Brunch Eggo Empanada.

Ingredients:

1 lb Ground Beef

Eggo Homestyle Waffles (defrosted)

1/2 Onion Diced

2 hard boiled eggs

1 1/2 cup of shredded cheese

Taco Mix (I used Ortega)

Directions:

DIY Acorn Frame

I saw this idea on Pinterest and just had to try it out. My little girl usually collects acorns so I knew this was a great activity to do.

What you'll need:

Acorn (amount depends on size of frame)

Glue gun

Glue gun sticks

Photo Frame

First we started with the acorn hunt. 

Kylie's passion for fashion

Mini Chicken Pot Pies/free Queso

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

At a glance

Prep

20 min.

Total

40 min.

Serves

5

35 minutes is all you need to have these delicious mini pot pies on the table. Refrigerated biscuits form the crust for a flavorful chicken mixture and are baked to golden perfection.  They’re so good you’ll want to make them again and again!
What You'll Need

1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup or Campbell’s® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup

8 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (carrot, green beans, corn, peas), 

thawed (about 1 1/2 cups)

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 package (12 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough (10 biscuits)

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

How to Make It

1 Heat the oven to 350°F.  Spray 10 (2 1/2-inch) muffin-pan cups with vegetable cooking spray.  Stir the chicken, soup and vegetables in a medium bowl.

2 Sprinkle the flour on the work surface.  Roll or pat the biscuits to flatten slightly.  Press the biscuits into the bottoms and up the sides of the muffin-pan cups.  Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each biscuit cup.  Lightly press the chicken mixture down so it's level.  Top each with about 2 teaspoons cheese.

3 Bake for 15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown and the cheese is melted.  Let the pot pies cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. 

*All Info as seen on: http://www.campbellskitchen.com/recipes/mini-chicken-pot-pies-61701

This recipe is quick, easy and kid friendly. The best part is that its almost like the shape of a cupcake :). With Fall approaching us this is a great meal to make to warm you up. My toddler loves to cook and the fact that the recipe allows her to pretty much do it all on her own she just enjoys it! I'll be sure to post more pics once we complete it later today. Another quick way to cook is to purchase the chicken pre-made such as the rotisserie chicken at the supermarket. It cuts your time of cooking in half and its inexpensive. 

Ok here's photos of the finish product: 

Free Queso at MOE'S

NJ Happenings

Mark your Calendar for these upcoming Events:

Circus in Bogota,NJ

You can purchase tickets in advance at the Bogota Rec Center. For children it's $10 at the door ($8 if purchased in advance) and adults are $12 at the the door ($10 if purchased in advance). Please feel free to the bogota rec for more details 201-487-4368.

Fall Fashion Show

9/20/2014

Time: 2:00pm

Location: Avenue, The, Lower Level

Contact: (201) 261-2661

Join us for The Avenue Fall Fashion Show

2:00pm Saturday, September 20, 2014

Paramus Park, Paramus NJ

Info as seen on : http://www.paramuspark.com/events/fall-fashion-show

Kid's Harvest Fest

Join us for crafting activities for kids & more! All proceeds to benefit the Whole Kids Foundation. 

Date: 

Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 11:00 to 14:00 at Whole Foods in Ridgewood, NJ

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

Celebrate silly, spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place, September 20th through October 26th.

Come in costume and play in our not-too-spooky Halloween haven featuring two new Halloween shows, themed mazes and a Sesame Street character hayride. Don’t miss exciting rides, the Neighborhood Street Party Halloween Parade, the all-new Cookie’s Monster Land, and everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed up in costume!

Pinkalicious the Musical

"In Pinkalicious The Musical, Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. " All info as seen on: http://www.northjersey.com/events/#/event/3219214-pinkalicious?location=07652-paramus&sections=all&date=today

Price $19-$39 

Date: Nov 16^th

Showtimes:  1pm or 4pm

Brides Rock the Runaway

Garden State Plaza Mall to host "Brides Rock the Runaway". This event will be taking place September 25, 2014 by Macys (near the carousel) at 6:30pm to 9pm. Please view flyer below or visit: http://tastefullydoneevents.com/brides-rock-runway-macys-bridal-salon-demetrios/

SWAROVSKI - MIX & MINGLE EVENT

"Get ready to Mix it up at Swarovski’s Fall Fashion Event, “Mix & Mingle”! Stop by the Swarovski boutique Thursday, September 18th from 6-8pm and learn how to accessorize any look by mixing metals, textures and styles! Receive an exclusive discount plus fab swag.*" All info as seen on: http://www.westfield.com/gardenstateplaza/entertainment/events/8049

LEGAL SEA FOODS - OYSTER FESTIVAL

Four weeks of oyster happy hour and menu features that are guaranteed to give you mollusk mania. Menu features will include favorites such as:

■ Oyster Stew■ Oysters Legal■ Fried Oysters■ Bacon Wrapped Oysters■ Oysters Jambalaya■ Bacon Crusted Oyster Lettuce Cups■ Oyster Po' Boy

LOCATION

LEGAL SEA FOODS - LEVEL 2

All info as seen on: http://www.westfield.com/gardenstateplaza/entertainment/events/7130

Kylie's passion 4 fashion featuring lil brother Colton

Kylie loves dresses and can't get enough of it. I purchased this dress at Target and believe it or not it was on clearance. I found it by accident because I had intended to shop for my son.

I was so glad to find the dress and shocked it was in her size ;)

My son Colton is just one of the greatest bundles of joy a mommy could ask for. His smile is so infectious. Love, love, love my babies ;). The varsity sweater suits him great. He's a little trouble maker. I found this sweater at Babies R Us it's part of Heidi Klum's line "Truly Scrumptious". Her line is not only affordable but very trendy. I'm officially a huge fan ;).

Cupcake onesies by mommybakesnj

I had the pleasure of attending my good friends baby shower this weekend and I thought how can incorporate my love of baking into one of the gifts. I had seen onesie bouquets at other baby showers I've been too so I figured I can still do the rose like onsie but make it look like a cupcake.

Supply list:

4 onesie's

2 pairs of socks

Tape

Cupcake box for 4 

4 cupcake liners/skirts

Peppa Pig Birthday by mommybakesnj

NJ Weekend Happenings 9/12-9/14

The Annual Feast of San Gennaro is back in Little Italy. I’ve been going to this festival for years and I have no complaints. The food, games and entertainment is just great. I look forward to it every year. The event is an 11 Day celebration focusing on “keeping alive the spirit and faith of the early Italian immigrants”. For more information please visit: http://www.sangennaro.org/

The Blauvelt Sons of Italy will be hosting the 5^th Annual Italian Feast and Carnival all weekend long. Event started as of yesterday and will be going on until this Sunday, September 14, 2014. The hours of the Festival are as follows: Friday 5pm-midnight; Saturday 11am-midnight; Sunday Noon-9pm. Admission is $2 per person with children under 10 FREE. It will be taking place at Masonic Park located at 89 Western Highway in Tappan. Visit: http://www.blauveltsonsofitaly.org/events.html

“The New Jersey Pirates & Privateers Weekend celebrates the Golden Age of Piracy with History! Action! Music! And Family-Friendly Fun!” It’s a great event to for the entire family to enjoy. They also announced that they will be partnering up with “The Atlantic City Seafood Festival” and “Atlantic City International Triathlon” it’s expected to be a great event. Please visit: http://www.njpirateweekend.com/ tickets and details.

-PRO Martial Arts, a martial arts program aimed at building character development skills for children, has teamed up with local businesses to host “Back 2 School SMASH” on September 13th from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the PRO Martial Arts facility located at 140 Franklin Turnpike in Waldwick, New Jersey.

"Back 2 School SMASH" is an event focused on giving back to the community during what can be an expensive time for families when children go back to school.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a new school supply item to be donated to the cause. All items collected will be contributed to Children's Aid & Family Services, a local northern New Jersey nonprofit that provides therapeutic foster care, adoption and community services.

The first 50 people to register will receive a special SWAG BAG filled with incentivized offerings from local businesses and three entries into the raffle, where the grand prize is valued at $1000.00

There will be a special guest appearance by Don Somerville, local boxing & self-defense legend, former golden gloves champion & 2013 Master’s National Champion.  Somerville has helped countless youth in the local communities and runs Bergen PAL Boxing in Hackensack, NJ.  He will put on a free interactive self-defense & boxing clinic for anyone wanting to participate.  Additional activities for the event include:
• Face Painting
• Airbrush Tattoos
• Kara’s Kakes 
• Shopping (books, toys, etc)
• Brain Games sponsored by Reebel Wellness
• Balloon Art
• Meet and Greet with Rocky the Rhino
• Sensei Says (Karate Games)
• Ninja Ninja Rhino(Karate Games)
• Race to the Belt (Karate Games)
• Board Breaking Ceremony
• Arts & Crafts
• Food Sampling from Kitchen Catering

Participating local businesses include Huntington Learning Center of Ridgewood, Kara’s Kakes, Playground Talk, Kitchen Catering, Coyote Kids, Reebel Wellness, Ivonne’s Tattoos & Balloon Artistry, Pizza Roma Restaurant, and Couture Craft Studio.

*All info received from: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/back-2-school-smash-tickets-12574888831

"On the bank of the Hudson river where the towers of New York etch the horizon, enjoy two days of hundreds of NJ wines, great food and music in New Jersey’s newest festival location!

Participating Wineries:
Auburn Road Vineyards ~ Bellview Winery ~ Cava Winery ~ DiMatteo Vineyards Hopewell Valley Vineyards ~Monroeville Winery ~ Plagido’s Winery ~ Sharrott Winery Tomasello Winery ~ Valenzano Winery ~ Ventimiglia Vineyard ~ Wagonhouse Winery

Bands:
Saturday- Abraham & The Groove, playing R&B and Reggae
Sunday- Total Soul, playing MoTown, R&B, and today’s Pop

Gourmet Food Trucks & Vendors:
Oink n Moo BBQ ~  JB Wood Fired Pizza ~ Let’s Get Baked ~ Surf and Turf Food Truck The Soup Man ~ Empanada Guy

Tickets are $25.00 per person. Order online for a $5 discount: Buy Tickets Here

Directions:
From the North:
Take River Street south. Turn slight left onto Bergen Turnpike. Turn slight right onto US 46/Winant Ave. Continue to follow US-46 E. Take the Teaneck Rd ramp toward Challenger Blvd. Turn right onto Teaneck Rd. Turn right onto E.Winant Ave. Turn slight left to take the ramp toward Challenger Blvd/New Jersey Turnpike. Turn slight right onto Emerson St. Turn left onto Challenger Rd. Park is straight ahead. 

From the South:
Take the I-95 N/NJ Turnpike North. Keep left to take the I-95N/NJ Turnpike N toward I-280/Rt 3/Meadowlands Sports Complex/Exits 15W-18W/Geo. Washington Bridge. Keep 
right to take the I-95N/NJ Turnpike N toward US-46/Fort Lee/Geo. Washington Bridge. Take the Challenger Rd exit, exit 68. Turn left onto Challenger Rd. Parks is straight ahead. 

Mass Transit:
Take the NJ Transit Bus Routes 157 or 167 from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC to the “Overpeck Corporation Building” stop. Alert the driver before reaching the stop to dispatch you at the Challenger Road entrance of the park."

*All info above exactly as seen on : http://www.newjerseywines.com/event/jersey-skyline-wine-festival/2014-09-13/

Saint Joseph School Fall Carnival located in New Milford, NJ

Dates

September 12 - September 14, 2014

Information

Saint Joseph 75th Anniversay Carnival. Celebrate 75 years of excellence with us. Enjoy Carnival rides, Games, Food, and Live Entertainment

Friday, September 12 – pay one price ride wristbands

Saturday, September 13 – Live Entertainment: “The Cleopatra Club” 2-4 PM; “The Vandells” 6:30-9:30 PM Classic Rock from the 60’s to today

Sunday, September 14 – Children’ Tricky Tray (Drawing at 5PM); Gratitude to our Alumni’s (Complimentary dessert 1-2 PM); SJS 75th Anniversary 50/50 Raffle (Drawing at 6PM) WINNER NEED NOT BE PRESENT

 *All info as seen exactly on: http://www.nj-carnivals.com/saint-joseph-school-fall-carnival-new-milford-nj/

This Friday, September 12, 2014, take a guided tour to meet the creatures of the night. Bring a flashlight for the full effect! Pre-registration & pre-payment is required! Please call (973) 731-5800 x221 to register.
$7 per person. Please visit: http://turtlebackzoo.com/events-calendar/ for a listing of upcoming events.

Attention Dumont residents this Saturday. September 13, 2014 join the Calvary United Methodist Church for the Bike Rodeo. The event is for K to 8th grade  and  will be filled obstacles courses. Please bring your bike, helmet and parent with you. All details listed in flyer above.