Hello everyone and welcome back to our Weekly Wrap Up. I’m always on the lookout for recipes for large families since we have so many of our own children and love to organize big dinners with friends and their kids. My go-to dishes are lasagna and rotisserie chicken. When certain friends have come and had each of these more than twice, you know it’s time for a change.

Having spent quite a few years living in France, I’m a huge fan of French culture and French food. Earlier this fall I decided it would be great to try and introduce the kids to some French culture by hosting a family dinner with a French theme. I invited three French couples I adore and their kids.

First up, my French little sister Helene and her husband Thiago who came with their two boys, Heitor (2) and Hadrian (8 months). Hedley loved holding Hadrian. As with many things in our life, I usually try to have a plan. For big family dinners with friends, we try to feed the kids first and then put them in front of a movie. This gives the adults the quiet and calm they need to sit and talk. Once everyone has eaten, we all share dessert together. Here is the first group for dinner, enjoying their order-in-pizza! Gotta cut corners where you can. Hélène and me… Helene arrived nearly one year ago and it’s so great to have her in the U.S. She’s been working as a lawyer while mothering her two babies, so has a lot on her plate. I’m so proud of her! Once the kids finished their pizza and were planted in front of an old French comedy with Louis de Funès, we reset the table. Lucky for me, another guest Yves decided to bring all the fixings to make French Raclette. He brought ham, salami, and Raclette cheese along with his own plug-in Raclette Grill. This made for the easiest, most fun dinner ever with virtually no preparation. (Don’t miss little 9 month old Hadrian in the corner having his bottle). Here’s the group ready to dig in for a delicious French meal. We all felt like we were in a chalet, so that was pretty cool. Since the holidays are coming, we’re giving away this amazing Raclette Grill today on CloudMom to one lucky winner!!! Crossing my fingers for each of you.

Thanks so much for reading, Happy early Thanksgiving, and see you all soon!

Melissa XX

Weekly Giveaway

Prize: One (1) Raclette Party Grill (ARV $100)

Rules:

Enter using the Gleam widget below.

Open to U.S readers.

You must be 18 or older to enter.

You have multiple ways you can enter to increase your chances of winning.

ways you can enter to increase your chances of winning. The giveaway ends on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time).

Winner will be announced on the widget below within 48 hours after the giveaway has ended.

Raclette Party Grill Giveaway

