Hadley's snack shack

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, HADLEY GIRL!!!!!

We celebrated Hadley's 3rd birthday this year. The theme was "Hadley's Snack Shack." We invited everyone to join us for Hadley's "3 favorite P's: Pretzels, Popcorn, and Pie." 

Hadley had been making requests for her birthday for months. She requested these pretzels I make for parties. They are spicy  ranch pretzels. They are spicy, but the girl likes spice!! She also requested cinnamon sugar popcorn. Instead of cake, it was a no-brainer, we served pie. THIS GIRL loves pie. Her favorite is pecan pie. So I made the pretzels, Nammy made the popcorn (she had the whirlly popper), and Grandma made the pies. 

Welcome to Hadley's snack shack!! 

Spicy Ranch Pretzels: 

1 bag of a 1 lb bag of pretzels 

1/4 cup of vegetable oil 

1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix 

1/2 tsp Lemon Pepper 

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1/4 tsp seasoning salt 

Red pepper flakes to taste 

Mix well and pour over pretzels. I empty the entire 1 lb bag of pretzels into a brown paper sack. Then pour the seasoning mixture over the pretzels. Shake the bag to mix and coat the pretzels. Let them set over night. 

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn: 

1/4 cup of peanut oil 

1/4 cup of sugar 

1/4 cup of popcorn kernels 

Cinnamon sugar mix: 

1/4 cup of sugar 

1 tbsp of cinnamon 

It's best to use a whirlly popper. But you can just use a regular pan. 

Pour the oil, sugar, and popcorn into the whirlly popper. Keep it spinning until all popcorn is popped. Pour popped popcorn into a bowl or on a tray. IMMEDIATELY, while still hot and sticky (from the sugar), sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of hot popcorn. Mix it or toss it for the cinnamon sugar to cover the popcorn completely. 

Let it rest and come to room temperature. Or I prefer to let it rest over night. Popping the popcorn in sugar and letting it rest over night let's the popcorn become super crunchy! 

Birthday treat

{I wrote this a long time ago. I published it and I guess it never went through. I'll go ahead and post it for memories sake.}

***

There are a few movie theater's around here that show movies to kids for free. The movies are older movies. By older I mean older Disney movies or movies that have been released within the last few years. 

The week of Hadley's birthday, one of the theaters was showing The Little Mermaid. I decided I was going to take her to see the movie. Hadley has never been to the movies before this time. 

We also invited Aunt Cindy and cousin Brylie. 

Hadley and Brylie getting their seats for the show.

She was so excited!!! (so excited she wouldn't stop moving, hence the blurry picture.)

Cousin cuddles during the movie.

Happy birthday, sweet girl!

Hadley's first birthday party

June is a busy month around here. Hadley's birthday was on a Wednesday. We had her first birthday party on the previous Saturday. {I'm sure I could have worded that all better} Her party was on June 9. That day is also Lee's birthday.

The theme of Hadley's party was Ocean "One"derland. She loves the water. After getting our pool and deck set up it only seemed fitting that Hadley have a pool party. I know, most one year olds don't have pool parties {as my Grandma informed me}, but the kid loves water. I can't deny her that.

It was a lot of fun planning her party. My husband's cousin, Katie, really helped me a lot. I think I would have lost my sanity if she wasn't there to help!

{All photo credit goes to Kelly and J.Hall Photography}

the Birthday Girl station

Party Cake: Hadley's Ocean "One"derland

Hadley's smash cake: decorated to look like a fish.

Snack table: "ocean water" punch, cake(s), pineapple filled with pineapple and bananas, {underneath the foil} banana, orange, and green apple "palm tree," bowl of fish and whale crackers. 

Some of the decorations: Tracey grabbed these at a local high school prom she was working.
Their theme was under the sea. Great catch!! {pun intended}

Birthday girl

Hadley putting on her bib and checking out her cake for the first time.

"Are you sure I can eat this, guys?"

"I love this cake!!" 

Opening gifts

checking out her new cell phone and keys

big girl

people swimming

cousin Tatum swimming

Birthday girl swimming

I think Hadley enjoyed her party. She was so funny while she was eating her cake she would look up, at someone, and wave her hand. Then she would look up, at someone else, and wave again. It was almost like she was thinking "Hey, I know you. Oh wait!! I know you too!" She is so funny. She was interested in her first two presents, but after that she just wanted to swim with everyone else. 

With all the chaos of planning, buy party supplies, and etc. I think I need to get off here and start planning her second birthday...NOW!