Tuesday, March 18, 2014

FROZEN: Family Dinner & A Movie Night


 

In our house, today was the next best thing to Christmas.  The DVD release of Frozen!  Have you seen it??  Don't you love it?!  The soundtrack plays nonstop in my car, and Caroline dresses up as Elsa any chance she gets (she wore her Elsa outfit for 2 straight days when we were snowed in.  No judgement!).  So today was the long-awaited day, and I wanted to plan a fun night around watching Caroline's "most favorite movie in the entire world."  I didn't actually plan to blog about this, but I just loved how it all came together, and Joey pretty much insisted that I share it with you asap!


So here's the deal.  I wanted to plan something fun and festive, but I wasn't looking to throw a party, create cutesy printables, or decorate my whole house around the movie.  I wanted a dinner that tied into the movie, but I didn't want anything over the top - still just a healthy, weeknight dinner.  Here's what I came up with:


  • Troll Stuffed Mushrooms - spinach-artichoke stuffed mushrooms that resembled the "love expert" trolls.  I adapted this recipe to smaller mushrooms, and they were awesome.
  • Olaf's Pilaf - quinoa pilaf with dried cranberries, feta, and toasted almonds
  • Sven's Snacks - apple slices and roasted carrots 
  • Snowman in the Summer, to drink - water, ha

For dessert: homemade Blizzards, in honor of the eternal blizzard that Elsa set off as she fled Arandale (Oreo and vanilla, by request).  

I have way too many napkins and table linens, so I was able to put together placemats and napkins that used the colors from the movie.  I also have way too many paper straws and mason jars, so I worked the colors in there as well.

And while I cooked dinner, Caroline cut out some snowflakes.  She loves any and all art projects, so she was super excited to do this.  It got her involved and gave her a sense of responsibility in our big family night.  The twins also enjoyed the celebration.


After dinner, we all cuddled up on the couch for the movie, and it became an instant classic.  Caroline of course loved it, and sang along the whole time; but Smith actually sat still through most of the movie as well - quite a feat!  He only took one short break to put together a puzzle!  He loved the reindeer, Olaf, and all the special effects with the snow and ice.  

After I put together the menu, I thought of several other ideas for a Frozen Family Dinner & a Movie Night, so I'll share them with you in case you want to do something similar:

Elsa's "White Out" White Pizza
"Troll Stone" Meatballs
"Do You Wanna Build a Snowman" Snack Mix (marshmallows, raisins, orange jelly beans or m&m's, pretzel sticks)
Chocolate Fondue (a reference to the coronation ball)
Snow Cones (or snow ice cream, if you have enough snow on the ground!)
Blue Jello
Chili Bar to warm you up during an eternal winter

I had so much fun planning and executing this family movie night, that I think I'm going to make this a monthly tradition.  Since it is logistically pretty difficult for us to go out to eat as a family (Hi, can we have 3 high chairs, please?), I love coming up with new ideas for a dinner that's out of the ordinary and fun.

Last thing - go watch the movie, ASAP!  Even if you don't have kids.  It's really really great!  



12 comments:

Josie said...

Oh yes, I definitely cried during "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" and "Let it Go," and then at the every end of course. And I agree, Olaf was really funny, and really well-done. It's just such a fun movie!

Josie said...

This is such a cute idea!! I absolutely loved the movie and have the soundtrack on my phone. I don't have little ones but a good movie is a good movie!

Josie said...

Oh yes, I bought the soundtrack "for the kids." And unsurprisingly, i find myself listening to it when I'm by myself, haha!

Josie said...

Aww this is so fun!! It makes me want to go back and watch it again, this time with a themed menu!

Josie said...

You are the greatest mom! I still haven't seen the movie... I really need to. This makes me want to do a movie-themed dinner soon!

Josie said...

I bet these kids love the movie. I watched it with my son and he liked it! He's always singing with the song "Let it go" lol Best Lumber Wholesale website

Josie said...

Do it!

Josie said...

It was so much fun to put together! I'm already planning our next family movie night :)

Josie said...

I admit that I'm so out of the loop on this movie. We still haven't seen it, and I don't even really know what it's about other than a sister that can control the weather, or blizzards, or something like that!

Josie said...

What a cute idea! I love all your recipe ideas! I absolutely love the movie and the songs are just way too catchy!

Josie said...

Angie, you HAVE to watch it! It's so so good - the best Disney movie in quite some time in my opinion!

Josie said...

Yes, I catch myself listening to the soundtrack in the car even when I'm by myself. Great great songs!

Post a Comment

 
BLOG DESIGN BY: SHERBET BLOSSOM DESIGNS