Menu Planning Monday - XX

photo courtesy of cafesiam

I can't believe that by the end of this week my second born will be half way to double digits! That's right, Ethan turns 5 on Saturday. My how the years fly by! I am so blessed that I am able to spend so much time with my children since their childhood years seem to be passing so quickly. Wasn't it just yesterday that Ethan was born - wait a minute, on that note - wasn't it just yesterday that I turned 5?!?! I still remember many fond childhood memories from those early years. I don't want to miss out on these important and fun years with my own children! I hope Kevin and I are able to give the boys a fun, loving and encouraging atmosphere to remember when they are grown.

Well, our school year has officially begun . . . although it has been a very slow start. Many thanks go to my mom for taking the time last week to work on science and social studies with the boys so that I could complete a few work assignments. After studying with Mimi, the boys even got to go to the dinosaur exhibit at the zoo to reinforce what they learned about those "terrible lizards"! They had a great time and really enjoyed the fun subject. I hope the whole year can be this fun and inter-active for them.

Ok folks, it's Monday and that means it's meal planning time. Here is our menu for the week of August 31st - September 6th:

• MONDAY - Grab a bite after viewing a house in Milford
• TUESDAY - Tomato & Spinach Pesto Pizza (gotta use up the little bit of pesto sauce left over from last week's meal), Mini-pizza's for the boys, Raspberry-Pineapple Jello
• WEDNESDAY - Slow Cooked Roast Beef, Potatoes, Carrots, Homemade Honey Whole Wheat Bread
• THURSDAY - Garden Pasta Primavera, Parmesan Zucchini Strips, Crescent Rolls
• FRIDAY - Leftovers
• SATURDAY - Celebrate Ethan's 5th Birthday with a Picnic at the Park with Family! Hamburgers, Baked Beans, Watermelon, Fresh Veggies, Potato Chips and of course, Cake and Ice Cream!
• SUNDAY - Lunch Out With Family

Menu Planning Monday - XIX

Camping was a great success and I hope the boys had a great time building solid family memories! I love these together times of life. Now, we are back to the routine busyness of life as we face starting school, selling our house, business commitments and responsibilities, as well as enjoying much needed family time and the daily family responsibilities.

Feeding my family in an efficient, healthy, low-stress, cost-conscious way is a top priority. With that said, here is our menu for the week of August 24th - August 30th:

• MONDAY - Amish Potatoes and Green Beans, Crescent Rolls, Applesauce
• TUESDAY - Tomato Pesto Chicken, Whole Wheat Pasta, Green Beans, Homemade Honey Whole Wheat Bread
• WEDNESDAY - Basil Tortellini Soup, 90 Minute Dinner Rolls
• THURSDAY - Lemon Herbed Chicken, Savory Noodles, Sauteed Zucchini and Summer Squash
• FRIDAY - Loaded Baked Potatoes, Applesauce, Homemade Honey Whole Wheat Bread
• SATURDAY - Baked Ham and Cheese Omelet, Skillet Potatoes, Toast
• SUNDAY - Lunch Out with Family or Leftovers

P.S. I will post pics of our camping trip soon.

Menu Planning Monday - XVIII

Both two weeks ago and last week I wasn't able to make one of the dishes on the weekly menu (Baked Ham and BBQ Chicken Pizza) due to a last minute change of plans. Since I still have the ingredients on hand, I am putting them back on this week's menu. Hopefully this week will go more as planned, but spontenaity is always good too.

Here is our menu for the week of August 17th - 23rd:

• MONDAY - Baked Ham, AuGratin Potatoes, Garden Fresh Green Beans
• TUESDAY - Chicken and Rice Casserole, Parmesan Zucchini Stips, 90 Minute Rolls
• WEDNESDAY - Eat Out With Scudder's
• THURSDAY - BBQ Chicken Pizza, Cheesy Bread, Fresh Fruit
• FRIDAY - Camping
• SATURDAY - Camping
• SUNDAY - Camping

Delanie's First Swim!

The Gryzcan Family was kind enough to invite us over to swim again this last Sunday and Delanie had her first experience swimming with Daddy! It was 94 degrees and basically 100% humidity, so even she didn't mind getting int he pool. She is such an easy-going baby that the cool water hardly even seemed to phase her at all. Enjoy this short video of Daddy-Daughter time!

Menu Planning Monday - XVII

Here is our menu for the week of August 10th - August 16th:

• MONDAY - Eat on the run!
• TUESDAY - Italian Zucchini Casserole, Crescent Rolls
• WEDNESDAY - Chicken Pesto Pasta, Broccoli, Yeast Rolls
• THURSDAY - Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza, Fresh Fruit
• FRIDAY - Hamburgers on the Grill, Grilled Zucchini and Squash, French Fries
• SATURDAY - Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Corn, Cornbread Muffins
• SUNDAY - Dinner with the Wright's? or Leftovers

Celebrating!

August 2nd is always a fun and exciting day in our family because we get to celebrate multiple birthdays in one. Kevin's Mom is a twin and she and her sister were born on August 2. Kevin was the ultimate birthday present for Kevin's Mom 33 years ago when he decided to also show up on August 2nd.

This year, we celebrated by having the Autry's and the Wingerter's (Kevin's grandparents) over for dinner, cake, ice cream and conversation. Afterward we all went out to watch the boys play on the trampoline. Kevin and I even joined in the fun!

Enjoy these random pictures of our special time together!

Yummmmm - ice cream!

It's so fun to laugh and love with family.

Politics and news are frequently the name of the game when the Wingerter's are over.

The cake was delicious - homemade German Chocolate, Kevin's request.

Mom made Delanie two adorable tutu's with matching head bands. She was just so stinking cute!

A princess and her Daddy.

Physical family fun!

Airborne!

Wrestling with the bro's.

Good times, great memories!

Even Grammy was feeling adventurous!

It's just so nice to have a granddaughter to squeeze! Lanie loves her Grammy.

Generations

The tutu looked good on the boys too!

I just loved this shot so I had to include it! I love this man! Happy birthday, Babe.

Menu Planning Monday - XVI

This looks like it is going to be a fairly active week of editing, photo shoots, homeschool activities, schoolwork and family commitments - not to mention the fulfillment of my civil responsibility (yes, that's right, I got summoned to jury duty). I can't believe we only have 3 more weeks until we start homeschooling again! Boy, have I got to get busy planning the upcoming year as well as finish a few things to officially conclude last year's school work. I know I've got my work cut out for me!

Here is the menu for the week of August 3 -August 9:

• MONDAY - Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit, Chips
• TUESDAY - Hobo Dinners on the Grill, 90 Minute Dinner Rolls
• WEDNESDAY - Bistro Chicken Skillet, Green Beans, Honey Whole Wheat Bread
• THURSDAY - Chicken Stir-Fry, Jasmine Rice
• FRIDAY - Quick Beef Stroganoff, Glazed Carrots, Honey Whole Wheat Bread
• SATURDAY - Tacos, Cornbread Casserole, Fiesta Rice
• SUNDAY - Lunch with the Gryczan Family