Hello 35.

The big 3 5 .... I'm not feeling old, most days, so it must be true this is the new 25! I have been sick for a week, today's "party" was low key and not at all up to Lily's standards LOL. She, and Hayden, had big plans, I am positive they were much more excited about my birthday than I was. They put on dresses and were very upset when I declined to follow suit. They wanted to decorate the house, and were a bit bummed that all we had was 8 balloons.

These will provide fun for them for days LOL.

They wanted to give me lots of gifts...more than the flowers and cards they made me. SO they went about "wrapping" about 10 of their own toys and books in blankets and clothes. It is the thought that counts right ;)

I loved all the cards!

What do you do when your husband walks up to you hiding something. He says, "to defend yourself" gives you something then yells "Get her kids!" and the silly string starts flying? You fire back! LOL

I was out numbered....and Xander had really good aim Hahaha.

Lily and Hayden said the silly string saved the party....I'm so glad :)

Xander would advance right on me....while Jericho, who was not a fan at all of the silly string being shot at him, hid out of range.

Trigger happy Xan was out of string first...then took mine. 4 cans were empty in a matter of minutes...and silly string was everywhere. Thank goodness it cleaned up easy. Now they want string at every party we have LOL.

Next it was dinner time! Another great one from Skinny Taste. Loaded turkey chili baked potato.

The chili is a crock pot "kid" friendly version...which made it a little plain and boring for us, I prefer the chicken taco chili we have made like 3 times in the last 6 weeks. But if you want to try this one here you go.

1.3 lbs 99% lean ground turkey
1 teaspoon oil
1 medium onion, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced fine
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
10 oz can Rotel Mild Tomatoes 
8 oz small can plain tomato sauce
1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the turkey, season with salt and cook, breaking up with a spoon until turkey browns and is no longer pink; place into the slow cooker. Add the oil to the skillet and sauté the onion, garlic and bell pepper over medium heat for about 4 to 5 minutes. Spoon over turkey into the slow cooker and stir in corn and tomatoes, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, paprika and salt, mix until well blended. Pour chicken broth into the crock pot and add the bay leaf. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours or LOW 6 hours. This part alone is 226 calories and 3 grams of fat for 1 cup.

Now for the whole shebang...
Ingredients:

• 4 (5 1/2 oz) russet potatoes
• 1/4 cup kid-friendly turkey chili
• 1/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives or scallions  

Directions:

Poke holes in the potato with a fork, then cook in the microwave using the baked potato setting until potatoes are soft and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes on high for 4 potatoes). If you don't want to microwave them, bake wrapped in foil about 45 minutes at 400°F.

Either split the potato in half lengthwise down the middle or as I did in the photo, use a fork to pierce the top in an oval shape, then remove the top of each potato. Top with 1/4 cup shredded cheese, 1/4 cup of turkey chili, and 1 teaspoon of chives. 282 calories and 7 grams of fat. I also added a dollup of fat free sour cream....extra cals.

After dinner we had some birthday pie...and candles per the trio's request.

Jason tried to place them to make a 35...thanks babe :)

Happy Birthday was sung by all.

Then I made a wish, and blew out the candles.

And then the candles lit back up and the laughter started. Tricky kids told Jason to get the ones that relight, they loved them at Cousin Hailee's party I guess.

The pie was also "skinny" and yummy! Jason and I both like it better than the regular version actually, and it was only 218 calories and 7 1/2 grams of fat per slice. Banana Cream Pie!

You need:
9 inch reduced fat Graham Cracker Crust
4 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 oz Cool Whip Free
2 medium bananas sliced
(We also added a package of instant banana pudding to this, made with low fat milk...for a few additional calories)

In a large bowl, whip cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla and sugar for a few minutes until mixed well. Add Cool Whip (and pudding if you use it,) whip until smooth.
Put banana slices on the crust, top with filling and chill 3-5 hours, until firm. We made it the night before and it was perfect.

Little did I know my computer would crash, burn and die later tonight. Good news I got a new computer, eventually...I'm calling it a late Bday present. Bad news I have a lot of posts to catch up on.