I would probably make an egg casserole or something like that... ust to have some protein available. And maybe some lox for the bagels.

I will be working the polls from 6:00 AM until we are done with the machines - probably around 10 PM. Sounds like your house will be much more fun!

Alexa

I think I'd do tuna salad....and/or maybe a bunch of hot dogs....they will freeze if not eaten and kids and adults alike love tham.
And I would make cookies....or better yeat my easy Blondies"...they go together really fast and make a ton.

Blond Brownies
sift together:
2 2/3 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt

melt and cool: 2/3 c. butter and 1 lb. brown sugar
add 3 beaten eggs, then the flour mixture and one 7oz. pkg choc. chips....and 1 c chopped pecans if desired. Spread in a greased 15 X 10 jelly roll pan, bake 25 min. at 350, cool slightly and cut in squares.

I do it all in the same pot...melt butter and sugar and allow to cool a bit, add the egtgs, stir...add thed ry ingredients and spread in the jellyroll pan.
Linda C

Great idea AM! sounds like fun..we have school..and most of my pals are working moms. So it's not an option here..

Now if it were me and my kids..
This is where I'd go with it.

Brownies or cookies, although the muffins would work too.
Veggie tray with ranch dip, heavy on the carrots.
Meat and cheese platter with crackers and or rolls.
Kamren's new fav lunch (8 yr old) salami and cheese on bread or crackers. The middle one likes cheese and turkey.
Definately some fruit, my kids love apples to dip in caramel or creamcheese/brown sugar dip and/or grapes.

AM,
I did friday coffees in Darien for 10 years with my friends. It began during the 3 year old class and continued until we moved when all those three year olds started middle school. Our drop off and have coffee group got longer and longer, eventually ending when someone would realize they had to rush home to meet (beat) the bus. So, I am an expert on the subject, and now a rather misty eyed one. I didn't realize how much I missed them until you posted.
Must haves:
coffee
tea
bagels,
cream cheese
small, munchie cookies
dunkin munchkins for the kids
sliced fruit

Optional and appreciated:
mini muffins (lemon poppy always a hit)
more cookies.
AnnT's scones

Much of the food can do double duty, ie, the kids will eat bagels later if they get hungry. You can always take the bagels and make pizza bagels for the kids later too.

Cakes and bigger sweets were never big hits, even if they were delicious. A coffee cake would be the exception. Little kids will all think they want the big ticket bakery items, but they won't eat them and you will find rather large remains (of the cakes, not the kids :) later.)
Figure out how much coffee you will need and double it. With my group, we loved hanging out with each other and supporting each other over the years. As long as you were pouring coffee, we would be staying. It was wonderful. I hope this is the start of a long tradition.

Jo

I'd have some extra bread, peanut butter & jelly, cheese sticks & fruit on hand. I also like to make pumpkin muffins -- one of the "processed" foods I buy is the Pillsbury pumpkin muffin mix in a smallish blue box. I add lowfat buttermilk, canola oil, and 2 eggs and it makes delicous muffins kids & adults love that you can whip up in less than a few minutes.

I think I saw a fabulous looking sour cream coffee cake recipe in this month Fine Cooking....yum!

Hot apple cider w/ cinnamon? Hot chocolate for kids?

Blintz casserole - freezable!

this bears underscoring. Please, please, please do not go over the top on this one. These coffees, with or without children, were such an important mainstay with my friends and myself. Once they caught on, they took on a life of their own. But if we had made them over the top, Martha-esque, people would have been too intimidated to host them. Keep it simple and simply enjoy each others company. I can almost guarantee that one of your guests will say, "this was such fun, let's meet at my house next time."
Jo

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Alexa, we'd love to have you! Something with eggs is a great idea, I'll go ahead with a carmelized onion and gruyere quiche. I'd love to have lox, but I'm tightening my budget these days, so lox is out. I'll have sliced tomatoes though for the bagels.

Linda, blondies are perfect. Easier and quicker than cookies. THank you for the recipe.

Terri - yes, I should definitely have some cheese and crackers there for the kids (no meat for us when dairy is involved). Great idea.

Rose, I'll have some bread and PB & J on hand, cause, you never know! And hot chocolate too.

Jessie - I have a mental block with the blintz casserole. It just reminds me of the calorie and fat laden brunches that my mom would host when I was a child. This is such a WASP-y group of Connecticut women (I mean that in a good way - I love them, and am fine being the token Jew!), I can only imagine the looks a blintz souffle would get.

Jo - that is exactly the kind of group I'm talking about. Most of these women and I have been friends since my oldest started Montessori at 3, and even though our kids are in different schools now, we are still very close. There are some others coming as well, but that's the core group. A friend offered to pick up a box of coffee (I can always make more as needed) and I'll ask her to grab some munchkins.

PS Jo - did you get the letter I emailed to you?

AM

AM,
I didn't get it but I'll check again. I am off to a mite game and then off to coach my u16 girls.
Have fun with your group, sounds a lot like mine.
Jo

I posted it on the "Conversations" side.

AM

Yes, AM, I thought about that afterwords..LOL But I knew you'd know where I was going..:o)

That sounds like so much fun! Just some random ideas ... maybe setting up the fruit display in the shape of a flag or patriotic cupcakes. Have the kids vote on something. Favorite bagel or favorite animal or something! Favorite Jonas Brother?

I am blank now but make up fun names for the things you are serving. Like "Cut the Pork" Quiche (since there is no bacon or ham)...or is that too lame? lol

...Barack The Vote (instead of Rock) ... for McCain I am trying to think of something - Johnny hits the spot...Or Cup of Joe the Plummer....

I know, I am lame. Anyway, have fun!!!