Happy 2nd Birthday Creed

Seriously? Creed is 2? Oh, the past two years have flown by. Creed is the happy thought of this house. We all love him.

We had a small party with grandmas and grandpas and the aunts/uncles and cousins who live local. He loved the attention, opening the gifts and blowing out the candle. He was a bit sleepy since he hadn't had a nap that day and was asleep before his guests even left but it was certainly a celebrated day for a fabulous little boy.

A few things about Creed at age 2.

Had 6 teeth at Christmas. Has 20 now. {That's 14 teeth in 3 months folks}

Likes: Apple Juice and his Blankie {tee-tee he calls it which I think is after Gibson calling his blankie "fi-fi"}, Brds {angry birds}, Playing the iPad, Swings, his trike.

Favorite Toy: Trains and Cars

Favorite Color: Blue {it's the only color he knows}

Favorite Food: Really anything, not picky but loves Dino Nuggets with Ranch and Ketchup, Rice, Olives. Really, anything he can "dip" he will eat. Fruit fanatic. Loves Raspberries, Strawberries and Kiwi

Favorite Show: Super Why, Elmo and Word World {1st kid to actually watch Sesame Street}

Wishes: He was big. Acts like he is and is heartbroken when brothers leave for friends house and he is forced to stay home.

Hates: Getting his diaper changed. Unless you call him "puppy" and then he'll crawl over and let you change it. Nursery. Milk. {weaned himself off a bottle and milk at 14 months}

Working on: Sleeping in his own bed, for the entire night....work in progress.

He is: a DADDY's boy! Prefers Jared over me anytime. Comes to Jared's side of the bed in the night and crys for dad when he's hurt.

Learned how: To crawl out of his crib at 12 months. Pedal a trike at 26 months and say "East" and Nin-non {Gibson}. The Joys of talking to himself {he'll cry out East for at least 10 times and when not answered he'll say "what" and then proceed with the conversation.

For Creed's birthday dinner, I made it simple and made Ham and Cheese Sliders served with chips, pasta salad, watermelon and drinks. For dessert we had this yummy "fried" ice cream that always gets rave reviews so I thought I'd share the recipes for the Ham and Cheese Sliders and the "fried" ice cream.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Ingredients:
For the sandwiches:
24 slider rolls {I use ones from Costco that come in a 3dz bag for @$3)
24 slices honey ham
24 small slices Swiss cheese
Mayonnaise

For the sauce:
1½ tbsp. yellow mustard
8 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tbsp. finely minced onion (or 2 tsp. dried minced onion)
½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Poppy seeds, for sprinkling

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Split the slider rolls and spread the insides lightly with mayonnaise. Fold a slice of ham to fit on each slider bun, and top with a slice of Swiss cheese. Replace the top bun to assemble the sandwiches. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet.

To make the sauce, combine all ingredients except the poppy seeds in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Drizzle the sauce over the tops of the slider buns. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Remove the foil and bake 2 minutes longer. Serve warm.

I've found that you can change up the meat and cheese combo for more deliciousness. We've tried Turkey and Cheddar and it was yummy as well.


"Fried" Ice Cream

1 cube butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups rice krispies
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans

DOUBLE THAT.....yeah, I know that means 2 cubes butter:)

Melt butter, stir in brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour over the rest of ingredients and stir until everything has the butter/brown sugar goodness on it.

Pat half down in 9x13 pan, Cover with 1/2 gallon of ice cream that has been softened a bit {I put on gloves and just use my hands for this part} and finish off with the remainder of the topping. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until you are ready to serve.

Delicious with a strawberry syrup drizzled over it {strawberries and sugar blended} or I imagine it would be divine with caramel or hot fudge as well.