Lunch at Esther's

Esther was sweet enough to invite us over for lunch today. We had a camper people (and Heather-in-a-tent) planning session where we planned out a trip a month for the rest of the summer. Not that we will make them all, but we can plan right? The kids played together SO well and we all ate and talked and laughed. I forget how much I need that until I am there again.

Here are the kids:

Silly picture!

Happy Birthday Karen! She is such a good sport. We made her blow germs on the cake since we didn't have any candles. LOL!

I call this one "Ode to Esther's Roses". I hope your rose bush survived a dozen kids hacking at it. Sigh.

(Late) Menu for the Week

First of all I would like to say a sad farewell to my menu list. ~Sniff~ If any of you run across something similar to this pleas let me know. My new menu for the week is scrawled across the back of the grocery list. Sigh.


Now for the late menu...

Monday - Sausages and Toast
Mac & Cheese
Baked Chicken thighs, Broccoli and Peaches

Tuesday - Cereal
Chicken fingers, grapes and carrot sticks
Cranberry roasted chicken, green beans, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie

Wednesday - Toast and Eggs
Arby's for the wildflower hike
Ham Beans and cornbread

Thursday - Oatmeal
Sandwich crackers (Ritz with turkey, cheese and mustard)
Szechuan Chicken and Noodles

Friday - French toast
Garlic Pasta
Southwest chili (to Laura's)

Saturday - Hobbit breakfast

Nothing! Mom had the boys until Sunday afternoon!!

This week's menu...

Monday - Cereal
Sandwiches, chips, grapes and apples
Bavarian Bratwurst supper

Tuesday - Bagels and cream cheese
Lunch out (G and I at Big Bob's and other two with Mr S)
Pizza (Taco Bell for me)

Wednesday - Cereal
Peanut butter (or almond butter) and jelly sandwiches, apple and chips
Corned Beef and cabbage

Thursday - Toast or cereal (we were all over the place)
Lunch at Esther's
Pasta with Merlot sauce

Friday - Eggs in a basket
Skate Day (Pizza of hot dog)
Burgers, french fries and chocolate covered strawberries

Saturday
~Off to camp work weekend~

Sunday
Steak, baked (sweet) potatoes and salad

Monday - Cream of Wheat
Roast beef sandwiches, kiwi and tomato slices
Chicken fingers, french fries and brownies

Tuesday - Cereal
Out for lunch
Rotisserie chicken, salad and green beans

Another Mommy-Griffin Day

Griffin loves his Tuesdays to have his mommy to himself. He gets all giggly and wiggly just thinking about it. Have to admit that I do too. There is something so sweet about spending time one on one with your kids. Today was the last story time at the library for the summer. They always end it up with a park day and we have never made it to one until today.

Here is the story with Ms Doris.


Snacking on some CapriSun and s'mores-in-a-bag while he listens.


Making a kite...


and flying it!


Relay races.


Bubbles!!


Play time on the playground.



After we were done there we headed to the library to pick up books and movies and then to meet Mom for lunch at Big Bob's. He even seemed to like getting groceries today because we went to "Stinkin' WalMart". We got a picture of the WalMart goose as well. Anyone else notice this guy? He's been there for at least two weeks now.

Hobbit Breakfast

I have a problem. I like a big breakfast and I like to sleep in. The two don't mix well unless you are into brunch... I have been trying to put together a list of breakfasts that are hardy, tasty, dairy-free and quick enough to get those extra few minutes in the morning. Our current favorites are BLET's (BLT's with Eggs) and Hobbit Breakfast.

Here is the Menu:
Giant Sausages
Eggs and Onions
Fried Mushrooms
Fresh fruit (or jelly)
Toast
Coffee (hot chocolate if you haven't hit puberty yet)


If you are a nerd like me you know that technically this is first and second breakfast together. First breakfast usually consisted of protein and heavy carbs and second of lighter fare, like toast and fruit.

Grocery list:
6-8 eggs
one onion (I prefer Vidalia)
Carapelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 pc of Bread per person
8 oz baby bella mushrooms
seasonal fruit
giant fresh sausages - Publix makes sausages in house, without preserving chemicals, that are WONDERFUL. I like the country breakfast version, but is you want to toss things up the Italian or chirozo, they are good too.

Start your coffee. Get the sausages cooking in shallow water in a frying pan on medium high heat. In two separate pans start 2 Tbs of EVOO each, on medium heat. Add one chopped onion to the first and the sliced mushrooms to the second. When the sausage is browned one side, flip them over. When the onions are almost translucent, add the eggs and mix until the eggs are fully cooked. Remove the eggs and onions as well as mushroom pan from the heat. Start toast. Slice fruit. Now your sausages should be fully cooked and you are ready to dig in!

Wildflower Hike

The Wildflower Hike that I had scheduled along with Roamschool for the last field trip of this month went really well. The weather was great, the kids got along great and had fun in the creek, and the wildflowers were in full bloom. Ah, spring...




















And look. I was there too! Thanks for picture Suzette!

Babysitting Evan and Jacob

We had two extra kids last week, because, you know, 3 boys are just NOT enough. LOL! My SIL and BIL were on a cruise for their anniversary to the Bahamas. We spent an afternoon at Esther's seeing all the animals and playing in the sunshine. We also played outside and got to see all kinds of critters; spittle bugs, pillbugs and even a salamander. Evan spent a lot of time coloring and playing Playdough. Jacob loved playing in my pots and pans.

Carson's Birthday

The writer denies all knowledge of the game "trampoline soccer" and has never had a large group of children over to poke sticks in a fire. Thank you.