Do you remember Penelope's 6th Disney Side birthday party last year? I was invited again this year to host a Disney Side Home Celebration, so yet again I decided to celebrate Penelope's birthday Disney style. Penelope turned seven on February 16th and she is still very much into Disney princesses so we were sent a fabulous Disney princess party package to help plan a wonderful party. Unfortunatly I might have deleted the photo I took of all the goodies, oops. Let me just say it was packed with princess party favors, games, fun prizes, baking supplies and more! I was thoroughly impressed with this years packages that were mailed out. Since most of the items that were sent were Sophia the First themed I decided to throw a Sophia the First party for Penelope. There is a local bakery called Sweet Spots Bakery that I had heard about while looking for party venues and I thought this would make the perfect place to wish Penelope a happy 7th birthday.. It turned out to be great! The princesses got to eat pizza, have their faces painted, decorate aprons, cupcake boxes and cupcakes, and enjoy cookies and cake. They each were able to take home six cupcake creations to share with the rest of their family. It was a blast and the girls all had fun celebrating Disney princess style! Here are some photos of the big day...


I used the favor boxes I was sent and filled them each with a an amethyst. Not only is it Penelope's birthstone but she is an avid collector of rocks and gems and I thought it was the perfect way to incorporate Sophia's purple amulet. They also each got wands and goodie bags filled with all sorts of Disney treats.

Disney princess AquaBall's were the perfect party drink!


The Birthday girl!

Eating pizza like little princesses. The owners of the bakery even commented that these were the most polite well mannered girls, but of course, that is what you learn at Royal Prep Academy!


They got a bunch of yummy treats to decorate some tasty cupcakes.



Penelope with her creations, of course we had to add tiara cupcake toppers!



Happy Birthday big girl!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and welcome to 2015! We ended the year doing something not seen very often in southern California, playing in the snow! At 3:30 am on December 31, 2014 Chris woke Penelope and I up to tell us it was snowing. Yeah right! Was my first thought, but after realizing that there is no other explanation for him waking Penelope up at 3:30 in the morning other then to witness something extremely exciting, I knew it was true. Penelope was so excited she got bundled up and her and dad went out and built a snowman and played in the snow.

Tonight I made Nom Nom Paleo's delicious Slow Cooker Kalua Pig. It smelled amazing all day cooking in my crockpot, but it tasted even better. The bacon really gives the meat a smoky taste that is delicious. Here is my super juicy and tender pork out of the slow cooker.


Here it is after I shredded it and set the fat aside for Timber. Lucky dog!

I was cleaning out my pantry when I found this oatmeal cookie mix, and right next to it was this Monster trail mix from Target. Light bulb. Monster Oatmeal Cookies! Penelope loved the idea and made the cookies all by herself. All we did was follow the directions on the back of the cookie mix adding the trail mix to the cookie batter. This trail mix contains peanuts, raisins, M&M's, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.


I enjoyed one of these cookies that tasted to me like a granola bar, we sent some over to our neighbors and Penelope gobbled up the rest.

Have a safe and happy Halloween tomorrow. Penelope is dressing up as a scary witch, green face and all. I will post some pics later.

Here is Penelope's fall bento.

Top tier: Turkey and cheese pumpkin sandwich, Cheetos

Bottom tier: Oatmeal and raisin cookie, 2 Halloween chocolates and olives.


Yesterday we carved pumpkins and roasted pumpkin seeds with the grandparents.

Happy Fall! Now if only the weather would start acting like it!