Cinco de Mustache-or Mayo

Cinco de Mayo has become a tradition in our family. I think we celebrate it more to learn about Mexico than to actually celebrate the event of Cinco de Mayo. It is a tradition that I love and a great excuse to cook Mexican food (love it).

I gave the boys pictures of chile peppers and sombreros and they colored them. We used them in some of the decorations. 

We started a craft that was making maracas found here. We used the colors of the Mexican flag. It was fun for them to learn about Mexico a little bit. We actually didn't finish it because I couldn't find our rubber bands, which you need to complete the maracas. Oh well, that can be a bordem buster for another day. Thanks to last year I actually knew a little bit about Cinco de Mayo and could teach the boys. I like to teach the boys things when ever possible. You know in case they are on Jepordy :) Do you know that only one state in Mexico actually celebrates Cinco de Mayo, but people in every state in the U.S. celebrate it. Are we a great nation or what, always looking for a reason to celebrate. I was born in the right place :)

This is what I did with their pictures after they colored them. They were at soccer practice while I did the decorating and when they came home they were so excited that each of them had colored part of this little Mexican mobile.

We had the yummiest food, most of it found in the "Essential Mormon Cookbook" they have volume one and two and I ADORE these cookbooks. They have a lot of good ideas for party food and a lot of just yummy recipes. It is where I got that fantastic hot dog recipe. The boys weren't too into the Mexican food, but I will try and try to get them to try new things. Hopefully some day they decide they like something other than peanut butter. We ate Chicken Tostadas with guacamole salsa and fiesta rice. I was in love with both recipes.

I have loved the mustache craze that has taken over the world in the last year. I think mustaches are so funny, especially huge handlebar ones. I decided to bring some to our little fiesta. I made them out of black craft foam hot glued to dowels. They were a hit.

We couldn't stop laughing about the mustaches all night. Even when we did the Mexican hat dance, nobody wanted to be without. They gave the party some serious flava.

Those are some seriously good lookin' mustaches.

my mustache is a little crooked.

Cute McKay. I wonder if he ever sits there and thinks "what kind of family was I sent to!?"

The plan was to do the Mexican Hat Dance. We have a Sombrero from something long ago, but we couldn't find it. So we danced around a football helmet. It was so much fun crazy enough and my parents were the best sports about it! We had a great time.

For the final event of the night we made Mexican fried ice cream. Now doesn't that look good? You put honey, whipping cream and maraschino cherries on it.

I was so worried about the fried ice cream. Luckily my Mom was there who is an amazing cook. It ended up not being as scary as I thought and was so yummy! This is the recipe that I used. I substituted the corn flakes for Nilla Wafers and it was heavenly!