The 3 Birthday Race Car Party {That Didn’t Happen}

Sometimes you have the best intentions and then life happens.  I had all the party supplies, cupcakes, and everything else needed for the perfect race car birthday ready to go…..then Friday night happened.  Connor was up all night with a croupy cough.  My sister, Vinny, and Jarrett were in town already and my Mom and Dad got in late Friday.
 
Everyone was here!  Terence, Connor, and I got about 3 hours of sleep Friday night.  Needless to say Saturday wasn’t going much better and you could just tell Connor boy wasn’t feeling good.  I made the decision to cancel the party.  I know a party is not what’s important, it’s being surrounded by the people you love and having fun!  And we had just that.
 
Later in the weekend Jarrett got sick and my Mom started feeling bad :-/  What is going on with the allergies already TX???  “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”
 
Here is my big 3 year old….
 solid chocolate suckers from Hot Chocolates

 Here are the race car cupcakes I made.  They were really easy.  I just dipped them in melted chocolate chips and then rolled them in crushed mint oreos.  I wanted it to look like a race track 🙂

 Opening presents from Nana & Poppy

 Poppy let Connor have all his loose change to fill his piggy!
 Jarrett & Connor eating Cheerios

 They love each other so much.  Connor keeps asking where everyone went….waaaah!

 My sister found these shirts at Old Navy.  Aren’t they so cute???

Later that day we headed out to the park with my family and T’s family came over too, along with cousins Alicia & Ellie.  I got some confetti eggs for the kids to play with.  They sell them in grocery stores now.

 Our boys
 Vinny & Bonnie
 Mom is used to having two kiddos to entertain 😉
 Me & Bon

Ugh….it was sooooo windy.  Just so you know I didn’t get the Miley Cyrus haircut….that would be the wind. Thank.You.

 Big boy and his 3rd cupcake….the candle wouldn’t light!
 Me and Bonnie
 My sweet niece Alicia
 Flying kites

 Poppy!!!

We had a great time!  I miss my family already, and although everything didn’t go according to plan we got to visit and make memories we’ll never forget.

I Need Your Help!

Hey Ya’ll!
 
I need your help!  I entered a contest for our local mall to be a Style Setter Blogger and I made it to the top 3 finalists!!!  Yay! 
 
Can you help a sista out by voting for me? 
 
It just takes a second and I would REALLY appreciate it 🙂
 

 

Voting ends March 29th.

 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

In other news:  I had a great time with my fam this weekend…..catch up posts to come later.  I miss my Mommy and Daddy already!  Waaaaahhhh!!!!  If you live close to your family don’t ever take it for granted. 

Blogger Biggest Loser Winner!!!

I had the hardest time choosing a winner for this challenge.  You all did great and far exceeded my own progress.  I look forward to watching your continued success too!  Maybe we’ll do a 6 month progress report???
 
In the mean time anyone is more than welcome to use the Blogger Biggest Loser button and continue to carry the torch.  Obviously I’ve had a lot going on and (honestly) am not the best person to be heading this up! 
 
Congratulations to….
 
 
I chose Heather because not only has she lost over 12 pounds but she’s been super inspiring to myself and all the other people in the challenge.  She’s a wife and mom to 2 beautiful girls.  She’s motivated and I can tell she’s going to be one FOXY mama!!!! (No pun intended).
 
Heather you did great and I think you truly deserve this win!  Good luck to you and all who participated and stuck with it thus far…we had a lot of people drop out, but so happy for those who stuck with it!
 
Check out my friend Ashley.  She has a very inspiring weight loss story too!  So proud of her!
 
Thanks again to all our sponsors and I wish you well and many blessings as we all continue this journey to get fit and feel good! 


Cilantro Lime Rice {A Minute Rice Recipe}

Last night’s dinner was quesadillas and cilantro lime rice.  Here in Texas we sure do eat a lot of Mexican food!  I love cilantro on everything. 

Here is the recipe I used to make my cilantro lime rice:

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Minute® Rice long grain white rice
1/2 lime, juice of
2 cups water
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro (or you can buy those tubes of prepared cilantro already mixed in the vegetable isle)
3 tsp vegetable oil

(I add green onions, but you don’t have to…I just love green onions & they add a sharpness)

DIRECTIONS

Add rice, water, 1 tsp oil + salt. boil on high until for about 4-5 minutes. Then, in a medium bowl, combine chopped cilantro, lime juice, rice, 2 tsp oil, & toss until mixed.

This rice is so easy and QUICK to make.  I love taking it to potlucks too because you can make a whole lot of it and it has a ton of flavor.  You can serve with quesadillas like I did, burritos, or enchiladas.  It’s a great side dish for any Mexican meal.

You know I’m always looking for quick and easy meals.  Terence and I both work over 40 hours a week and we have a growing boy on our hands. Minute® Rice makes it super easy for me to prepare a wholesome and filling meal for my family.  The best part is it doesn’t take up my entire evening and I can do the things I really enjoy!

Minute® Rice is so quick and easy to prepare and is great pantry staple. When meal time seems like a hassle, Minute® Rice is a go-to ingredient your whole family will love and allows you to have more quality time doing what your want with your loved ones.

Leftover rotisserie chicken or veggies from a meal earlier in the week? Minute® Rice can easily be paired with some of your leftover ingredients to make a quick, easy and wholesome meal your whole family will love in just a matter of minutes.

Visit Minute Rice to create a great main meal or side dish for your next family get-together or potluck.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Rice

Tip:  I also love homemade salsa & I mix it with sour cream for a sauce….it’s great to poor over the rice too 🙂