Comments on: Kid’s B-day parties: It’s not all pizza and cake http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/ Blogs from Rachael Ray and her friends Mon, 21 May 2012 07:41:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Sarah http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12717 Sarah Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:42:37 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12717 My daughter's birthday is in the summer and I am always looking for ideas to change things up a bit. The spaghetti idea is great! I also did a build your own sandwich thing just this past summer with a tray of veggies and another tray of meats and cheeses...you could even pick what kinda of bread if any! Everyone loved it! Just throw a side of chips on there and it was great! Then of course finish it off with ice cream cake and Popsicles! My daughter’s birthday is in the summer and I am always looking for ideas to change things up a bit. The spaghetti idea is great! I also did a build your own sandwich thing just this past summer with a tray of veggies and another tray of meats and cheeses…you could even pick what kinda of bread if any! Everyone loved it! Just throw a side of chips on there and it was great! Then of course finish it off with ice cream cake and Popsicles!

]]> By: Kim http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12325 Kim Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:46:20 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12325 I have one picky eater (a ten year old daughter with ADHD and extreme anxiety disorder) and one adventurous daughter (age 8) who will eat just about anything, and whose favorite food happens to be spaghetti. The power struggle alone when it comes to food just isn't worth it, especially in my house with a "special" child who will just refuse to eat the dinner altogether and then get up in the middle of the night and gorge on pretty much anything because her meds suppress her appetite during the day and she is starving by 10pm. I love the idea of providing a good meal for the adults and the kids, but for those kids who don't like the traditional "spaghetti" like my 10 year old and Aimee's 6 year old I call it "pasta" in my house. The kids choose red sauce or butter and meat or no meat and I use different fun shape pastas. My picky eater always has seconds if it's past but won't touch the "spaghetti"....LOL! The things we do to help our children stay healthy... :) I have one picky eater (a ten year old daughter with ADHD and extreme anxiety disorder) and one adventurous daughter (age 8) who will eat just about anything, and whose favorite food happens to be spaghetti. The power struggle alone when it comes to food just isn’t worth it, especially in my house with a “special” child who will just refuse to eat the dinner altogether and then get up in the middle of the night and gorge on pretty much anything because her meds suppress her appetite during the day and she is starving by 10pm. I love the idea of providing a good meal for the adults and the kids, but for those kids who don’t like the traditional “spaghetti” like my 10 year old and Aimee’s 6 year old I call it “pasta” in my house. The kids choose red sauce or butter and meat or no meat and I use different fun shape pastas. My picky eater always has seconds if it’s past but won’t touch the “spaghetti”….LOL! The things we do to help our children stay healthy… :)

]]> By: Becky http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12105 Becky Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:15:39 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12105 Sounds . . . adventurous! I love the idea, but not the clean-up. But hey, who loves the clean-up at a five year old's b-day party??? Definitely worthy of a gold star@ Find your gold star at goldstarmoms.blogspot.com Sounds . . . adventurous! I love the idea, but not the clean-up. But hey, who loves the clean-up at a five year old’s b-day party???
Definitely worthy of a gold star@

Find your gold star at goldstarmoms.blogspot.com

]]> By: Grandma B http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12059 Grandma B Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:16:53 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-12059 Since my Grandkids all have birthdays between August and February, I have what I call Grandma's Grandkids Birthday Party, usually on Labor Day weekend so all can come. This year was my 8th Grandkids Birthday Party. This way their parents can have a party for them on the child's birthday and enjoy their own personal friends Every year I choose a theme and go from there. This year I chose to build my theme around geo-caching. One of my sons is involved in this hobby and helped set up a treasure hunt at the park. I had always served grilled hamburger/hotdog meals but this year I served a Walking Taco bar. I had chips (Frito, Doritos etc.) in small bags (I also had a bowl of chips and paper plates for adults). I set up a bar of taco meat, diced tomatoes, peppers, celery, olives, cheese, onions etc. in small bowls all prepared ahead of time. Each one chose what they liked for their salad and put it in their bag with sauce and ate right from the bag. There was some fruit and of course the cake. It was successful. True we did have a couple of dropped bags, but that is part of the party! I gave each child a homemade GPS that I had made and they went on a treasure hunt. My son also took them on a real geo-caching hunt using his GPS to find the hidden treasure. Hope this idea helps give an idea to some other Grandma's. It is work but I enjoyed watching their excitement. Since my Grandkids all have birthdays between August and February, I have what I call Grandma’s Grandkids Birthday Party, usually on Labor Day weekend so all can come. This year was my 8th Grandkids Birthday Party. This way their parents can have a party for them on the child’s birthday and enjoy their own personal friends Every year I choose a theme and go from there. This year I chose to build my theme around geo-caching. One of my sons is involved in this hobby and helped set up a treasure hunt at the park. I had always served grilled hamburger/hotdog meals but this year I served a Walking Taco bar. I had chips (Frito, Doritos etc.) in small bags (I also had a bowl of chips and paper plates for adults). I set up a bar of taco meat, diced tomatoes, peppers, celery, olives, cheese, onions etc. in small bowls all prepared ahead of time. Each one chose what they liked for their salad and put it in their bag with sauce and ate right from the bag. There was some fruit and of course the cake. It was successful. True we did have a couple of dropped bags, but that is part of the party! I gave each child a homemade GPS that I had made and they went on a treasure hunt. My son also took them on a real geo-caching hunt using his GPS to find the hidden treasure. Hope this idea helps give an idea to some other Grandma’s. It is work but I enjoyed watching their excitement.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11951 Lisa Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:39:56 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11951 My kids birthdays are in the summer so we do cookouts - brats, baked beans, and fruit salad. I even added corn on the cob this year. Everyone loves it, it's easy and not too expensive. I agree, pizza and cake gets very old. And I also have started doing goody bags that do not include any candy. It's amazing how much junk food my kids get at birthday parties - and it's no surprise that most of the parents (and kids, too) are overweight. My kids birthdays are in the summer so we do cookouts - brats, baked beans, and fruit salad. I even added corn on the cob this year. Everyone loves it, it’s easy and not too expensive. I agree, pizza and cake gets very old. And I also have started doing goody bags that do not include any candy. It’s amazing how much junk food my kids get at birthday parties - and it’s no surprise that most of the parents (and kids, too) are overweight.

]]> By: addie http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11905 addie Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:16:32 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11905 I love that many other feel that parties shouldn't be just about pizzas and chips. This year I served dinner rolls with a slice of turkey meat and a leave of lettuce along with a fresh cup of fruit(pineapple, melon, papaya,watermelon, grapes and strawberries) I served it kolaid for my daughters birthday , when kids go to someone's party they rather be playing along and having a good time. I love that many other feel that parties shouldn’t be just about pizzas and chips. This year I served dinner rolls with a slice of turkey meat and a leave of lettuce along with a fresh cup of fruit(pineapple, melon, papaya,watermelon, grapes and strawberries) I served it kolaid for my daughters birthday , when kids go to someone’s party they rather be playing along and having a good time.

]]> By: mom2diego http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11903 mom2diego Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:53:52 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11903 I love this idea!! I have been blessed with 2 boys. (3 and 6 years old. My 6 year old is a very picky eater but we have an understanding that while at someone else's home, whether it be a party, holiday or just getting together on weekends, we eat whatever is offered. There is usually at least one or two things he will eat. He understands that if he chooses not to eat at that time, then he just does not eat. Alternate meals are not a choice. They are contagious and before you know it you could be fixing 5 or 6 different meals to accomodate picky eaters. Your menu choice was excellent! I am sure the adults enjoyed their special bowls and the children had a very nice choice. They were all offered the same meal but were able to customize it their own way. Nice choice, thanks for the idea! I love this idea!! I have been blessed with 2 boys. (3 and 6 years old. My 6 year old is a very picky eater but we have an understanding that while at someone else’s home, whether it be a party, holiday or just getting together on weekends, we eat whatever is offered. There is usually at least one or two things he will eat. He understands that if he chooses not to eat at that time, then he just does not eat. Alternate meals are not a choice. They are contagious and before you know it you could be fixing 5 or 6 different meals to accomodate picky eaters.

Your menu choice was excellent! I am sure the adults enjoyed their special bowls and the children had a very nice choice. They were all offered the same meal but were able to customize it their own way.

Nice choice, thanks for the idea!

]]> By: Karen http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11902 Karen Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:44:17 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11902 I was so happy to read this!! I was struggling with whether or not to even have a party for my soon-to-be 2 year old because you have to feed all of the adults too...the budget is tight and feeding all those people is expensive. I was thinking of going with baked ziti and meatballs for the adults, but I might have to steal your idea of mini meatballs for the kids. THANK YOU!!! I was so happy to read this!! I was struggling with whether or not to even have a party for my soon-to-be 2 year old because you have to feed all of the adults too…the budget is tight and feeding all those people is expensive. I was thinking of going with baked ziti and meatballs for the adults, but I might have to steal your idea of mini meatballs for the kids. THANK YOU!!!

]]> By: Kathy http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11793 Kathy Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:34:21 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11793 Wow! My 'kids' are in their 20's and middle teens and picky eaters were not an issue when I was hosting bday parties. There was always the child who didn't care for the taste or texture of something but no fuss was made, no special meal provided, and the child ate more of whatever else was offered. No one starved. Now I host 'team meals' for 20-40 hungry student athletes. I make a meatless version of whatever is on the menu and provide fruit, veggies and an awesome dessert. So many kids will try whatever is offered and rave about the new, great food they tried at so and so's house. The kids love to hang out in the kitchen during and after they have eaten, pick at the remains and talk to me and my husband. How can a 4 yr old be a 'picky' eater? Sounds like mom or dad is picky in choosing what the child eats. Good luck with school lunches, sleep overs, dinners at friend's homes and team snacks. Wow! My ‘kids’ are in their 20’s and middle teens and picky eaters were not an issue when I was hosting bday parties. There was always the child who didn’t care for the taste or texture of something but no fuss was made, no special meal provided, and the child ate more of whatever else was offered. No one starved. Now I host ‘team meals’ for 20-40 hungry student athletes. I make a meatless version of whatever is on the menu and provide fruit, veggies and an awesome dessert. So many kids will try whatever is offered and rave about the new, great food they tried at so and so’s house. The kids love to hang out in the kitchen during and after they have eaten, pick at the remains and talk to me and my husband. How can a 4 yr old be a ‘picky’ eater? Sounds like mom or dad is picky in choosing what the child eats. Good luck with school lunches, sleep overs, dinners at friend’s homes and team snacks.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.rachaelray.com/blogs/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11695 Tammy Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:22:28 +0000 http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2008/09/15/kids-b-day-parties-its-not-all-pizza-and-cake/#comment-11695 My son is a picky eater too, and I love that you tried different things to be appealing to the masses but step outside of the pizza box! Aimee - I have the same kind of child! I am glad that I came to conclusion a long time ago that my son will eat when he is hungry, and as long as when he is at home with me I continue to provide the best nutrition for him. Birthday parties are an exception to the norm and what happens will happen. One day out of the month that he has a cupcake and pretzels for supper isn't going to kill him (or me!) I also love the campfire party-great ideas! My son is a picky eater too, and I love that you tried different things to be appealing to the masses but step outside of the pizza box!

Aimee - I have the same kind of child! I am glad that I came to conclusion a long time ago that my son will eat when he is hungry, and as long as when he is at home with me I continue to provide the best nutrition for him. Birthday parties are an exception to the norm and what happens will happen. One day out of the month that he has a cupcake and pretzels for supper isn’t going to kill him (or me!)

I also love the campfire party-great ideas!

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