I made this meal for the 4th of July, but it would be great for Memorial Day or Labor Day as well. I have so much fun with family dinners. Some are easy, others I try my hand at gourmet, but they are always festive and the look on the kids’ faces when it’s time to eat is worth every minute. 
The Menu:
Hamburgers with all the fixings
(My husband made and grilled the burgers this year and they were delicious!)
Flag Layered Bean Dip with Tortilla Chips
Layered Jello
Tri-Berry Salad with Whipped cream
Red, White, and Blue Drinks
Make Your Own Banana Split
The bean dip was my own creation. You can find the recipe here.
Red, White and Blue Layered Jello
I went by this recipe for the white layer. Otherwise I just did a blue jello on the bottom and a strawberry on the top. We thought the white layer was too overpowering. The next time I make this I am going to double the blue and red layers or half the white layer. It was good though.
Red, White and Blue Drinks
I thought this was the most fun ever! I got the idea for this here. The trick is to pour the drinks slowly over the ice so they don’t mix. Also layer in order of the drink with the most sugar. The most sugar goes at the bottom, next layer less sugar, top layer least sugar. I used Cranberry juice, Blue Gatorade, and diet Ginger Ale.
Banana Splits
This took no prep time and was a blast. I used vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice-cream. Each person got a scoop of each. For the toppings I bought pineapple, strawberry, fudge, caramel, nuts, cherries, and whipped cream.
This meal was a huge hit with everyone!
Your meal is so fun! I love that bean dip. I noticed your recipe below and may have to try it. We were traveling this year and didn’t do anything fun with food. It’s OK to have a 4th of July dinner in August, right?
Ha ha ha … I love these family special dinners – the family with the same expressions every time (or am I just imagining things? Looks quite amazing – I don’t know where you get the energy to do it all…
I love seeing what you come up with for special dinners! You’re so fun and creative!
I really want you to adopt me! You make everything so much fun! It must really rock to be your kid!
What great ideas! I’m amazed at your ingenuity and creativeness! Thank you for sharing!
Did you notice how the girls all tipped their heads and smiled the same way? I don’t know if that is characteristic or if it just happened this time.
CUTE ideas!!!
I think I am going to visit you on the 4th lol 🙂 Just kidding! Looks delicious, love the dip decorated like the flag. Going to check that recipe out now!
What a fun meal – I especially like the bean dip! I would love for you to link this up to the Backyard Barbecue Bloghop -http://www.mudhutmama.com/welcome-to-the-first-annual-backyard-barbecue-bloghop/
I can’t wait to try this drink for the 4th of July!!! Love it!!