Abbey enjoying cake on her 1st birthday
The countdown continues (I started it here last week). Only three weeks until my baby turns TWO!
Many people will know that I'm a big fan of 'real' food for kids (I wrote about that here). I don't believe in giving children lots of sugary or processed foods and I don't see the need to introduce lollies and soft drinks and lots of foods with zero nutritional value at Abbey's age.
When it comes to feeding a toddler, who will on some days want to eat the entire contents of the fridge and then refuse anything the next day, it's especially important to make the food she eats is worthwhile.
So, planning the food to be served at Abbey's birthday party is a big deal for me. I refuse to have it like 'traditional' parties, with lollies and soft drinks and sugar everywhere. I really, really dislike the idea of a bunch of kids running around my house dosed up on sugar, or a two-year-old coming down from a sugar high that evening. Shudder.
Here's the menu of party food I'm planning:
Homemade sausage rolls
Homemade mini pizzas
Fruit sticks
Yoghurts
Fairy bread
Cheese, meat and biscuit platters
And dessert:
Birthday cake!
And drinks:
Water bottles with each child's name
Milkshakes
I don't think I'm being a complete party-pooper with that menu. There are some healthy choices, some fun party foods and a few sweet things too, so hopefully all the kids will be happy with something that's on offer.
Do you have any other suggestions? Anything I've missed?
Megan
I'm convinced that you are the best mum EVER. Every time I read one of your posts, without fail, I think, "Abbey is so lucky. I wish Megan was my mum"
ReplyDeleteThat menu sounds perfect. Not too tricky to prepare, not too unhealthy, and definitely not boring. I love the idea of milkshakes too - much better than cordials and soft drinks. You've got all the bases covered too. Savoury, sweet, adult-friendly, kid-friendly, mandatory birthday cake. Sounds like it's gonna be a great party xx
Everything she (Jane) said. Looks great! xx
ReplyDeleteI so agree with Jane - the menu sounds great and the party will be brilliant!
ReplyDeletex
I'm so with you on this Megan! We also like mini quiches, homemade wedges, bacon and cheese toasties. And fruit kebabs for dessert always go down well!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about making the lolly bags for Esme's party at the moment, There's going to be no lollies at all in them this time (not that I ever used to put many in ;)) and I've had lots of fun coming up with other ideas :)
Hey, I'm planning an eight year olds' Reptile Party' with NO junk... all the kids attending are overweight as it is (except my boys). We're having a sausage sizzle with fruit kebabs, fairy bread, a cheese platter and named water bottles with groovy stickers on them..... oh and the birthday cake.... all food requested by my youngest! Take home bags.. little toys and stickers. You are doing the right thing pet! A-M xx (Dietitian.... in a previous life!)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely Megan! My little girl is only 8 months and I'll be doing the same at her parties. Besides, I think your menu sounds FANTASTIC! I'm positive the kids will love it. Plus making it yourself adds that bit of extra love than bought stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm 100% with you on the healthy eating. It's so important. I know someone who gave their child McDonalds at 10months... Hmmm....
Well done you. You're doing a WONDERFUL job :)
Yum!! And I get to sample it too!! Sounds great.
ReplyDeleteWe love avocado sangas - then use the ginger bread man or star cookie cutter to cut out some cool shapes.
ReplyDeleteSangas with no crust and cut into soldiers also disappear at parties really quickly.
We went to a 2 year old party and left with a sticker book instead of a bag of sugar - everyone was happy!
Also, a plate of strawberries and watermelon goes pretty quick whenever we have kids over for a play. Another friend has a great recipe for banana and weetbix muffins (i love them myself)...I could go on.... rambling again!
I think it is the adults that normally eat the junk food thinking it is a party therefore an excuse! The only food eaten at the last kids party here was the fruit platter, crackers and dip and cake. It was a reptile party so there were snakes on the table but they were all left!
ReplyDeletei love reading your blogs :):)
ReplyDeleteI couldnt agree with you more, My son is 18 months and i try and restrict the food he eats, We go to playgroup 2 times a week, and the other children are always eating junk! hotchips, packet chips, lollies, cordial in their bottles! I was discusted in seeing that.
I always take a yogurt and a banana to group and why the other children there are eating their junk my son sits down and eats his banana and yogurt ! lol
I wished my mum was tighter with what i ate when i was little ! I am overweight and pretty much always have been, i know i cant blame my mum and dad, but it would have been nice for them to limit the bad food.
For my sons first birthday, we had sausages and home made hamburgers. Fruit platters and fruit kebabs, bottles of water, I also had diluated fruit juice ( well 40 mls of juice to 2 ls of water..) for those who wanted something sweet. rice paper rolls ( i think that what there called.. you put chicken/and vegetables and rice even. and then wrap it up in rice paper) the kids loved them.
i think you are doing a wonderful job , and abbey will thankyou when shes older and healthy because of the choices you made for her :)
Jackiie
How awesome are you?!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great menu to me. I'm sure you and Abbey will have a fantastic day ;-)
It all sounds great. One thing that I usually do and the kids seem to love is a fruit platter with yoghurt and sprinkles to dip the fruit into. Popcorn is always a good alternative to the usual chips too.
ReplyDeleteMegan, not unusually I agree with you and your menu is similar to the one I have planned for the Bebito's party. I don't give him any sugar at all that's not naturally occurring and get quizzed sideways about this decision. I don't understand why it is seen as such a "radical" thing. I'm not keen at all on anything at all not made from scratch for the Bebito and it's made me more aware of everything that goes into our mouths. Great post my lovely! xxx
ReplyDeleteHa! Watch out for this scenario!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/the-war-against-fairy-bread/2009/02/05/1233423403739.html