If y’all follow me on Instagram, you have probably already figured out how much I love Halloween. And if you have been reading my posts for a while now, then you would also remember this post about a Halloween shindig from last year.
Well, my friend Sabrina, loves Halloween just as much as I do, and together we were able to invite some mommas who were game to come and party with us in the Viking Range Showroom with one of their littles, to learn something new, and celebrate one of our favorite holidays.
We had a wonderful menu planned for our mommas and kiddos.
Photo Credit: Jay Santos
For this event, we asked the children to introduce their moms and share something that that they did with their momma which was fun and memorable.
Some of the kiddos were a little shy, but that didn’t stop them from getting to know one another later and having some good old fashioned fun together.
Photo Credit: Jay Santos
While the children were learning how to make their own ice cream from scratch with the help of Teachers Josh and Babu from Engineering for Kids, the moms were sewing DIY Halloween Trick or Treat Bags with the help of Ann from Ant’s Pocket.
Photo Credit: Jay Santos
I LOVE both of these activities and think they are equally fabulous. Years ago, when I was still a Brownie Troop Leader, we taught the girls how to make ice cream in much of the same way that Engineering for Kids taught our Halloween party guests this past weekend. If you are planning a kiddie birthday party, both of these suppliers can come in and provide services that are not the “run of the mill” magic shows or juggling acts. Hands on activities, with learning that is based in STEM education for the kids, will always be top on my list when comparing fun things to DO over fun things to WATCH.
Photo Credit: Jay Santos
If you have been following our Mothers Who Brunch series, you’ll also know how much fun Sabrina and I have with the details… Check out some of the details from our last gathering:
I love using any excuse to bring a pop of color into our buffet. Totally digging on my Rachel Ray casseroles that were a steal in Dapitan. Photo Credit: Jay Santos
Ann from Ant’s Pocket had everything set up for each momma to choose which Sew Your Own Loot Bag they wanted to work on.
This was the most popular spot for the kids, once their ice cream activity was completed. Pottly N Tubby can customize any tent for your lil according to your colors and your theme.
Styling by Boqueria Lifestyle Market makes it easy for Sabrina and I to focus on the food. It’s really so much easier to plan the menu when you aren’t worried about the decorating! Aren’t these painted calabasas so much fun?
We had some cute plushie visitors too! #Handmade Ghost from Ant’s Pocket.
This little pumpkin patch corner is one I would visit again!
All this Halloween fun has to come with some good eats. And when Sab and I put our mind to the menu, we are sure to have fun!
Coffin sandwiches (aka Creamy Chicken Pesto Salad Sandwiches) were enjoyed by the mommas.
The kids LOVED the Shrunken Head Punch. Sab carved these apples first thing Saturday morning and they came out awesome!
I shared with the moms, just how easy it is to make Organic Kale Chips with some good olive oil and finishing salt.
Witches Brew Spinach and Gruyere Soup to start us off.
Ready eat Ribs from JAM Foods just needed to be warmed in the oven and served with a little extra BBQ sauce! HOW EASY IS THAT?
Mini Mummy Pizzas were thrown in the oven early, so that meant that the kids could nosh on these as soon as they arrived. We made some bacon options for the mommas as well, just in case 😉 (You can pick up the mini pizzas at Pastry Armoire for a very reasonable price.-I stock them in my house.) Photo Credit: Jay Santos
Spooky Graveyard Taco Dip by @motherswhobrunch for #motherswhobrunchspookyedition #motherswhobrunch #vikingrangeph A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on
Because we don’t eat as soon as our guests arrive, Sabrina and I always try to have a few appetizers like the Graveyard Dip, the mini mummy pizzas, and two different types of popcorn.
Marshmallow Popcorn balls for the kids. Photo Credit: Jay Santos
And Coco Cayenne Popcorn made for the mommas. This healthy version is made with coco sugar from Coco Natura. Photo Credit: Jay Santos
We also served Truffle Mac & Cheese which was wiped out and enjoyed not just by the mommas but also by the kiddos! Easy to bake Bat wings (aka chicken wings) are finished with Zin salt. An easy salad to throw together for the mommas was done with WHISK Raspberry Vinagrette.
Salad, Sandwiches, Chicken Wings…all easy to make dishes for a brunch that catered to both adults and kids with a discerning palate. Photo Credit: Patty Cuyugan
But Halloween is not Halloween without some SWEETS!
Cupcakes by Sonja, is not just about Cupcakes. Check out this beautifully detailed cake that they can custom make for any occasion.
And these cupcakes!!! HOW CUTE are these??
While Sabrina and I enjoy cooking and gathering mommas in the Viking Range Showroom to learn something new and give them some recipes for the kitchen arsenal, we really cannot do it without the help of our sponsors. Some of the Mommas who visited with us on this particular day, were asking just how we are able to do it all…how we are able to put together these menus with the details, and then cook and serve the dishes while still looking pretty.
I’ll tell you how…using the superior equipment that we have in the Viking Showroom makes it SO easy. In fact, this was the first time that we used every rack in every oven!!!
Special THANKS to all of our Sponsors:
Thank you GLAD for all of the products that make being in the kitchen and preparing for 15 moms and kiddos a breeze. The Cook & Bake parchment paper made it easy to bake everything that filled all the racks in each oven!
Clorox Wipes makes cleaning up spills and messes with kids easier in my home. We keep on container in the kitchen and one container in all the bathrooms.
Thank you so much to the SMILE Group and Engineering for Kids for sponsoring such a fun and educational activity for the kiddos to learn more about science. I think we might even have some molecular gastronomists after that activity! Look out for their Challenge Island Launch which is specifically for bigger gatherings, parties, corporate team building, and family reunions. If you’re curious about what a Challenge Island Party is all about, check out this post from Diego’s birthday this year.
Ann from Ant’s Pocket is easy to work with and can make any gathering even more personalized and fun. All we did was send Ann some pegs of what we envisioned our tablescapes and decor to be, and she came up with the Halloween ornaments AND plushies to gift the kiddos with. She can do small and big parties, create giveaways, centerpieces, and even provide the activity for the kids to create something to take home. Crafty and patient, she knows how to work with children.
Pottly N Tubby has a variety of home items that will make any child’s room the perfect retreat. I’ve been eyeing their tents for some time now, and I SUPER love that this tent they created just for our event had OWLS!!!!
When I first moved here, Cupcakes by Sonja was my answer to the cravings that I would have from a certain cupakery back home in New York. Since then Sonja has become a friend. From Gia’s 8th birthday in her shop in Serendra, to her sponsorship of cookie kits for Gia’s 13th birthday that she held in an orphanage, and to the consistent quality of sweets and sweet treats in her opening up three more branches all over the metro. We are thankful that Sonja created our Halloween themed desserts.
Drinking lemon water every day is easy with the help of Chuckie from Lemons & Greens. Easy order placement and delivery to your door step with only the freshest of ingredients enables all of us to make healthy choices.
Jam Foods is the answer to every busy mommas desire to have fun in the kitchen. With distributors all over the metro, you can order USDA PRIME meats, marinated and ready to be cooked or even warmed up to serve your family only the best tapa ever. (and no need to marinate and make yourself!) The ribs were so easy to defrost and just warm up in the oven! THEY WERE FALL OFF THE BONE DELICIOUS.
As we all try to make healthier choices, we know eliminating processed sugars from our diet can be made by substituting Coco Natura Coco Sugar in our recipes. Our Coco Cayenne Popcorn was a big hit with the Mommas thanks to the nutty caramel flavor of our favorite coco sugar!
Zin Manila has the perfect finishing salts and peppers for all your dishes. There is more of a move towards these artisanal sea, rock, and flavored salts that can make your dishes pop with that little something extra. I am taking advantage of that little extra flavor and working them into many of my dishes.
Whisk dips and dressings are perfect for me to use in the kitchen as an added bonus to saving time. Without any preservatives and all natural goodness and flavors, I can throw together a salad and a meal that is good for the fam bam and tasty too. I SUPER loved their garlic jam. I suggest you pick up a bottle of that right away! Plus-you can order gift packs for your momma friends as well.
Love this theme! Bookmarking these ideas for future Halloween parties! 🙂
Hey Joey! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays…I’m so glad Sabrina shares the same sentiment! We get to have even more fun for MWB 🙂 Looking forward to seeing you soon!