Veggie Mac and Cheese

KID APPROVED!!!!!

This recipe is so simple, yet very tasty. It is our go to recipe when we can't think of what to cook. And come on be honest who doesn't like Mac and Cheese, or cheesy veggies. You can't go wrong with this meal!

Ingredients:

2 boxes of Mac and Cheese

1 bag of frozen veggies

(butter and milk according to macaroni package)

Directions:

Boil macaroni and veggies in same pot as long as package directs (7mins). Drain, then add the butter, milk and cheese packets.

See I told you simple! For the veggies I usually use carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. Also, this last time I made it I used a new kind of Kraft Mac and Cheese.... it was a cheese explosion kind that toted it had more cheese. I believe that was true, because normally I feel that the cheese is being stretched to cover all the noodles and veggies. But with this variety there was plenty of cheese to go around!

Frozen White Chocolate Hot Chocolate

I know it is an oxymoron of sorts... but trust me this summer time treat is delish and will have you thinking of the colder days of winter! I found this recipe from dineanddish.net while I browsed the resent pins on my Pinterest account.

Recipe: Frozen White Chocolate Hot Chocolate (Adapted from Epicurious)

• 6 half-ounce pieces of high quality white chocolate
• 2 Tbs half and half
• 1 envelope store bought hot chocolate mix
• 1  tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 cups ice
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

Place the white chocolate pieces and the half and half into a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minutes, stopping to stir half way through. Continue to heat until melted and smooth.  Add the cocoa and sugar, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

In a blender place the remaining cup of milk, the room temperature chocolate mixture, and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a cup and top with homemade whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

*I was lazy and didn't want to search for a white chocolate bar, so I just used some white chocolate chips I had in the cupboard!

*Also, this recipe was enough for all 5 of us to have some, not a lot but probably about 1/2 - 1 cup.

They were obviously tasty... we had a few moments of complete silence! Except for Gabrielle begging me to take her pic, because I "NEVER" use pics of her on the blog.

BBQ Baked Potato

After taking a few bites of this meal... Mike looked at me and said, "You have to blog about this one!" So I grabbed my camera to quick take a pic of the disappearing food. I would have never thought to combine bbq chicken and potatoes, but it is a great combination! Also, on accident we found out that ranch dressing is rather tasty on this as well. The accident being Jayden dumping half a bottle of dressing on his plate. Along with the potato we had a side salad.

 3 lb oven roaster chicken, washed 

18 oz bottle BBQ sauce 

4-6 large baking potatoes, washed  

(Aluminum foil) 

2 c shredded cheddar cheese 

8 oz sour cream 

     Place chicken in Crock-Pot; cook on low 6-8 hrs. One hour prior to dinner, bake potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil @ 400 degrees until soft. Debone & chop or shred chicken.  Mix chicken & ½ bottle of BBQ sauce in large bowl. Serve over hot potatoes with cheese 

To make this meal even easier, cook the potatoes in a crock pot on high 2 1/2- 4hrs or Low 8-10 hrs. I believe you would have to use 2 crock pots though, I am not sure if you can cook everything in one.

Belated- July 4th weekend wrap up

It was a crazy busy weekend. Not only did we have fireworks, a parade, and a street dance... but we also had a big birthday bash. This year we tried a new concept of celebrating all 3 kids' birthdays at once.

After this trial of the big bash, I can't say it will happen again. I may still combine Jayden and Gabby due to their summer bdays, but Dexter will remain by himself I believe. I can't say I regret it. It was nice to try something different.

Gabby's electronic drum set... a fav gift of all kids!

Lighting McQueen @ the Clear Lake parade (kids weren't impressed)

On the way home from the weekend, we saw this neat scene in the sky

With Money from GG & Krampa and Great Grandma & Grandpa D Jayden bought new rainboots and a space station.

Just like we do every year, we enjoyed the fireworks from my parents backyard. As we waited for night fall, the kids enjoyed doing sparklers, making smores, and watching the neighbors and Papa shoot off fireworks. Dexter was completely amazed by the fireworks. His response was alway "boom" after one was fired. 

DIY- Sidewalk Paint

Even-though it was over 90 degrees last week, I decided we the kids needed to get out and have some fun. So I remembered seeing this on Starr Circus blog. I figured what better way to keep the kids busy than with a fun new "toy"!

Enter Sidewalk Paint...

2 Tbs Cornstarch 

2-4 Tbs Water

about 4 drops of food coloring

Mix in a muffin tin or individual containers and paint away!

I think I did the most painting by writing their names.

It quickly turned into body painting

... and rock painting