Monday Menus and more

We had a great weekend full of birthdays, and family.  Lunch yesterday was for 15 with my mom and mother in law both in attendance.  Who knows how many more years we will have that.  We celebrated Amy's 16th and mothers.  Steaks on the grill (which broke, and I spent the day Saturday running all over looking for a part!) hamburgers and hotdogs too, Caesar salad, macaroni salad, fruit tray, veggie tray, grilled asparagus,rolls and angel food cake with strawberries and raspberries.  Yummy!  The kids gave me a scrapbook that Annie made with lists of why they love me from each of the kids.  It is pretty funny and I will cherish it forever! Joe got me a chai from Starbucks and then we all worked together to get the house ready for our guests!  It was actually a relaxing day, the weather was gorgeous and we spent it outside and on our back porch. 
I felt very blessed to be able to host, to have everyone there, to make the mothers happy, to have all my kids home.  I always dreamt of having a big family and days to spend together.  Yesterday was a dream like day, even if they still fought!  That is part of my life right now and it won't last forever.  This season of parenting we are in is hard.  We are so busy, running around and keeping up.  Work this year has been a hard adjustment, mostly for me.  I still want to do everything, but I have far less time to do it in. Remembering what is important and having the right perspective has helped me tremendously.  Prayer too.  I drove home from the grocery store on mothers day, feeling a bit sorry for myself.  Facebook showed all these other moms getting ipads, pampered, dinner out etc.  It is easy to fall into the comparison game.  I prayed for peace and perspective. God delivered and reminded me that we all have troubles and I don't want to be in another family.  He put me right where I  am for a reason.  I may not be the princess anymore in my family, but Jesus is always my King and I will always be His princess.

Onto a lighter note--Menus

Monday
Spaghetti and meatballs- a gift from a friend
Leftover turkey and bacon shish kabobs
strawberries and raspberries

Tuesday
Tacos

Wednesday
Taco salad

Thursday
Chicken Caesar salad
Chicken fettuccine Alfredo.

Friday
County meet, probably eat out.

Saturday
at the ballpark all day
Dinner at a friends

Sunday
who knows!

We have a big track week this week, so carb loading a bit.

Monday Menus

I know, it's Tuesday.  I told my husband last night that I feel like I am standing at the subway station and my life is rushing by, like the subways do.  Bottom line is, I am crazy busy.  Actually I think I am just Crazy!

Monday
Asian Chicken(bumped from last week)
rice
pineapple

Tuesday
pigs in a blanket(by popular request)
mac and cheese
apples

Wednesday
Orange chicken
rice
leftover pineapple

Thursday
Joe is gone, so it's leftover night!

Friday
Pizza

Sunday
Steaks on the grill for Amy's sweet 16!
(Oh yeah, it's mothers day too.  We will see if that gets acknowledged or not :))

Monday Menus

Monday
Italian chicken- I have had this on the menu for 3 weeks and it keeps getting bumped.  We are eating it tonight!
Potatoes
Mac and cheese
Strawberries

Tuesday
Tacos
rice

Wednesday
Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo
broccoli

Thursday
Asian honey chicken
rice
green beans
pineapple

Friday
Pizza

Less Stress Mornings

With all 6 of us leaving for school and work in the morning, life at our house can be quite hectic.  Here are some things we have done to create less stress.  You will notice I didn't say "no" stress, because some is inevitable!

1.  Clothes out the night before.  This way we are not looking for socks, or clean clothes in the morning when there is little time and I can't wash and dry them that fast!

2.  Pack lunches the night before.  Joe and I share this responsibility.  I try to have carrots, apples chips etc.  portioned out on the weekend so we just grab and pack at night.

3.  Kids pack their backpacks the night before.  They usually find a paper that needs signed or a forgotten assignment before its too late this way.

4. Prepare for the next day.  Swim practice bag packed, track bag packed etc.  I can't take forgotten things in as often now as I work full time, so it has taught them to be prepared.

5. Have quick breakfast foods available.  The kids make their own breakfast for the most part.  I make a big batch of Biscuits and gravy on Sundays and portion it out for the boys breakfasts every morning.  They just heat up a single serving container and they have a filling breakfast.  Bananas and breakfast bars, muffins, freezer pancakes are always available.

6. Our totes.  Each child has a tote for their backpack, coat, shoes etc.  If they put things where they belong, it works great!  It helps a lot when they get up late etc. to know where everything is quickly in one spot.

These tricks work for me!

Monday Menus

Monday
Philly cheessteak sloppy joes (pinterest recipe)
apples
green beans

Tuesday
Grilled chicken
salad

Wednesday
Spaghetti and meatballs
breadsticks

Thursday
Tacos

Friday
Pizza

Chore sticks-WFMW

We have started a new system for doing chores.  The kids each take 4 sticks and those are their chores for the weekend.  I give them the whole weekend to get them done.  I am tired of nagging, but I need the help!  I put some fun ones in there too, like make cookies etc.  The kids seem receptive to it and it is easier for me than assigning chores.  It is random, so no more "it's not fair!" arguments!

Monday Menu

Monday
Beef tips in the crock pot
rice
salad
strawberries

Tuesday
Pork loin in the crock pot
baked potatoes
salad
strawberries

Wednesday
bbq chicken
beans and rice
(we didn't have this last week)

Thursday
Italian chicken
boiled potatoes
green beans

Friday
pizza

weekend
soups

Last week's menus didn't come close to what we actually ate.  I was sick Tuesday through Thursday and the kids ate hot dogs, mac and cheese and ravioli.  And they lived!  Our plan is flexible!

I went to Kroger Saturday night (exciting, I know!) and they had ground beef and turkey on clearance! How could I get so lucky?!
I bought a bunch and it inspired me to make about 10 meals Sunday morning to stick in the freezer.  Ground beef/turkey mixture in 3 bags to throw in recipes, 2 bags of meatballs, 2 BBQ chicken, 2 lime marinated chicken for the grill, Asian honey chicken, and sausage gravy with biscuits for breakfast this week for my boys.  I feel so much better having these meals on hand!