Standing on the Table

October 12, 2009

What's on my table

I feel like I've been slacking on my domestic duties. While I do not mind ordering out or going to the grocery store, I like to do so as part of a planned routine and not a necessity because of the lack thereof. So last night I went back to one thing that makes life easier for me -- meal planning. Here are our next SEVERAL meals.

Creamy Chicken & Pasta Bake

The kids ate every bit of this dish I put on their plates. It was a little bland for my taste. I think next time I'll add some cracked pepper and sea salt to the chicken.

Tilapia, quinoa (finally giving it a try), & frozen steam in bag veggies

Slow cooker roast with carrots, baby red potatoes, & onions

Make your own (whole grain) pita pizza w/ red & green peppers, onions, tomatoes, & mushrooms

Green salad w/ sauteed shrimp (from frozen seasoned with Emeril's Bayou Blast)

BBQ Mini Meatloaves (prepared in muffin pan) w/ mashed potatoes & green beans

Hamburger steak in cream of mushroom w/ twiced baked sweet potatoes & peas

Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing

(this will be my first)

Chicken Quesadillas w/ spanish rice & corn

Pepper Steak by Christa with brown rice

Ok - that should do us for a while. I feel so much better having the fridge and freezer stocked for meals. Makes my life MUCH easier.

September 8, 2009

First day of school 2009

Today was the first day of school for Andrew and Lila. At their school, the 1s and 2s program is all about having fun and is called Mother's Day Out. This is Lila's first year of MDO. The 3s and 4s program is a little more focused and is called preschool. This is Andrew's third year of school, and it is his first year on the "big" hall.

I had to bribe them with bananas to get them to sit for a 1st day of school picture. Andrew picked out this shirt at the store. We tried several short sleeves, but he insisted on the red one with a fire truck.

First we dropped off Andrew in his Monkey room. He walked in, found his name on the table, put it on the wall under the "gangs all here" sign and went to playing. He gave me a kiss and did not look back. This year I have the (very great) option of picking him up in the car pool line. When I picked him up, he told said, "Mommy, I took turns." That was a relief! He just seems so grown up lately. I cannot imagine how I will feel when he is starting junior high!

Lila was a little tentative when we walked into her Cow classroom. She warmed up quickly. She sat at the table and began playing with a puzzle. I took the opportunity to sneak out to avoid any tears we might share if I stayed too long. When I picked her up, she was up from her nap and loving on Ms Penny. Her teachers said she layed right down on her nap mat and went to sleep. She is going to have such a fun time at school this year!

September 6, 2009

Andrew's new bike

Andrew saved up his money from his birthday in May to get a new big boy bike. I took him last month to look at bikes and he picked out this "motorcycle." Slow and steady, in his own time, he decided he wanted to pedal his tricycle. That was the condition he had to meet to go get his bike. He hadn't changed his mind...no Spider man or McQueen this time. He picked out the motorcycle again. He rode it all the way from the back of the store and out to the truck. Unfortunately it was raining when we got home so he rode it in circles in the garage. Today after church he could hardly wait to get back on! He is very focused on his feet. Drew has to keep reminding him to watch where he is going. It is so much fun to see the pride in his face at his great accomplishment!

September 2, 2009

A week in Whistler

Drew and I spent the week in Whistler before the fall semester began. We had an amazing time hiking, biking, zipping, reading, lounging, working out, climbing, eating, shopping and just being. The kids were with my parents, and we had freedom we have not experienced in over 3 years. We were in awe of the beauty of God's creation and took it all in. While we have many trips we want to take with our kids, I certainly hope we are blessed with another opportunity to get away and remind ourselves how much we have in common when life isn't pushing and pulling us in different directions.