Chocolate, Chocolate Everywhere!

Hosanna's Birthday Party is tonight.

Two months ago, I signed up for (and paid for)

an out-of-town with a friend

Scrapbooking Retreat for this weekend.

Because of a myriad of scheduling conflicts,

tonight is the best night for Hosanna to have

an overnight party with a group of friends.

So . . . Mama has to miss it. 

Seriously . . . makes Mama soooo. . . sad.

I love serving my kids and their friends.

I love welcoming them into our home.

I love taking pictures at fun events.

(and she has some CRAZY "games" planned)

I love cooking and baking for my kids parties.

But . . . this time . . . Mama is going to be gone.

Therefore . . . 

I spent 5 hours in the kitchen last night . . .

trying out 3 brand new recipes.



(and I only took one little bite of pie crust . . . but no chocolate,
though it was mighty tempting to lick every bowl and rubber spatula)

Oh. Yes. I. Did.

First off, we have the . . .

Mini Oreo Pies

Each little pie is formed and baked in a muffin cup.

1/2 of the pies are filled with Peanut Butter Oreos topped with Peanut Butter.

1/2 of the pies are filled with Mint Oreos topped with Marshmallow Creme.

Almost Like Candy Bars

I found these YUMMY bars on my friend Marty's Blog.

The kids all had some after dinner tonight

and the unanimous response was, "Delicious!"

These bars are made up of . . . 

Devils Food Cake Mix,

Dark Chocolate Chips,

White Chocolate Chips,

Butterscotch Chips,

Heath Bar Toffee Chips

Can you say, "Rich and Delicious"?

Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake

While Hosanna assured me she could just make a cake from a mix,

I really had to try a new Pioneer Woman recipe.

It looks mighty yummy.

Before I leave for my Scrapbooking Retreat,

I will be putting together a couple of Lasagnas.

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

(Mama's Own Recipe)

and

Beef Marinara Lasagna

Hosanna will be making Dinner Rolls,

and putting together a Caesar Salad.

Ben will come over and take pictures of the 

Crazy Birthday Games,

and I'm sure he will help eat some chocolate, too.

Papa will be here to help out with 

Saturday's Breakfast:

Papa's Whole Wheat Pancakes

topped with Strawberries & Whipped Cream.

Hosanna will make the 

Strawberry/Banana Smoothies.

While I will certainly miss being a part of the festivities,

I had to allow Hosanna to choose which night

she wanted to have her party.

I can't wait to see the pictures from her Crazy Birthday Games.

(she might be addicted to Pinterest, which is where she found the games)

What are YOUR plans for the weekend?