Weekly Update

We got Aiden a bike for his birthday! This is his first time on it!

So, last week, I did not have Aiden and I kind of fell off the wagon in terms of making dinner.  We had our first volleyball game and multiple practices, I did not plan well for those things so I had no real meals prepared. This week, I have done MUCH better. I had a meal plan in place and I have not missed a single meal thus far! I know I usually post on Mondays, but it has been kind of crazy, so I figured better late than never!
We started something really fun this week, we joined a reading group at the library! The group is for kids 0-4, so both of my kids can enjoy it. Aiden had such a blast. This week was all about owls, we got to read three books about owls, sing songs, dance around the room and just have fun for about an hour. At the end of the hour, all the kids got to pick a book to check out for the week. Since we had to check out a book, I am excited to say that Aiden got his first library card! He was so excited and cannot wait to attend our reading group next week for Dr. Suess's birthday!

Meals this Current Week:

Monday: Zoodles (Zucchini noodles) & Homemade Meatballs

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken, Red Potatoes & Carrots

Wednesday: Pan Seared Steak Ceasar Salad with Homemade Croutons

Thursday: Homemade Hawaiian Pizza (forgot to take a picture)

Friday: Lemon Pepper Salmon, Garlic Parmesan Asparagus & Quinoa

Saturday: Dave is cooking up dinner. Not sure about the sides, but I know we are having steaks.

Sunday: We are having Turkey Dinner with the Rotters. Dinner is going to include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and apple pie.

Well, hope you all have an awesome weekend!!

Aiden is 4

Today my first born son turned four.  I can hardly believe that it has been 6 months, let alone 4 years since my sweet little boy entered this world. It has been a nonstop adventure and a wild ride being the mom of this sweet, rambunctious, wicked smart little boy. We celebrated his birthday this past Saturday, he insisted on an alien party and I think that his mommy delivered. He wanted an alien party because of a green light we saw in the sky several months ago at our friends house. Apparently, that stuck in his mind and he wanted some of that alien experience when he blew out his birthday candles.  Featured below are pictures from his party and a video of Aiden getting to see all his decorations for the first time.

Fully Loaded Cookies

I stumbled across a magical cookie once that transported me to another dimension. Each bite was like experiencing a brand new cookie, it was fantastic! There are so many different flavors, it satisfies any kind of cookie craving you could be having. Today, I am going to share that recipe with you!

Fully Loaded Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup peanut butter chips
1/3 cup butterscotch chips
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/3 cup milk chocolate M'n'M's
1/3 cup Reese's pieces

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat in the vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Stir in chips and candy.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets or silicone mats.
Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned around edges.
Remove to wire racks to cool.

Makes about 2 dozen large cookies.

These cookies are Aiden Approved!

Another Tuesday Post

Unfortunately, the boys are still sick and David has been claimed by the sickness as well. The boys are starting to feel better, coughs subsiding and noses running a little less but Dave was so sick that he missed school yesterday. Anyone who knows him, knows that is a big deal because he does not miss work for anything! Here's the thing about meal planning, you need to learn how to be flexible. If you run out of time on one day, you can switch it with a less time extensive meal or maybe just have leftovers from the previous dinner. Last week, I did not end up making the soup or the chorizo skillet because of time constraints and conflicting schedules. We did not eat out, so I still count it as a win, plus I am bumping the skillet to this week and it is one less day to plan for. Meal planning is supposed to make your life easier, not stress you out, so don't beat yourself up if you have to make changes to your plans!  We had a fun time for super bowl, I made a ton of food but did not take any pictures. :( This week is all about prepping for Aiden's birthday, I cannot believe that he is going to be 4 this month! My little boy is getting so darn big!

Some pics of last week:

Chicken Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken and Quinoa

Kalua Pig

Super Bowl Food 

(mine looked like these but I forgot to take pictures)

Smore's Dip

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Spinach Artichoke Garlic Bread

Dave made two kinds of salsa and I made "Fully Loaded Cookies." I will be posting about those later this week!

Meals for this week:

Monday: Apple Butter Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Tuesday: Pancakes & Bacon

Wednesday: Chorizo Rice Skillet Dinner

Thursday: Chili & Cornbread- The boys and I are leaving for California on Thursday but I plan on having dinner in the crockpot for Dave when he gets home. :)

Friday: Dinner at Grandma's!

Saturday: Aiden's Birthday Party!!! I will have a follow up post on the party and the food we have next week!

Sunday: We will be driving home, not sure if we will pick something up on the way or have something really simple when we get back. :)

Quote of the Week

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

Charles R. Swindoll

Sick Boys = Late Blog Post

Aiden fell asleep on Connor's floor...

The boys are sick. No sleep, coughing, fever, faucet-like noses and fussiness kind of sick, so my blog and meal plan had a slight change yesterday. I decided to take it easy, and make something that both boys were sure to like. It has been a long couple of days, and even longer nights. I cannot wait until basketball season is over and Dave gets to come home earlier. When you are alone with two sick boys who never sleep, you tend to go a little stir crazy and feel a little drained from that constant attention that needs to be given. I am glad that I can make them feel better, but it is hard when two little boys want all your attention and do not really feel like sharing since they both feel terrible. Send up some prayers that they both feel better soon, and that it does not hit me too hard!

Okay, here are some meals from last week:

Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatball Subs

Sunday Dinner with the Rotter's :)

With homemade raspberry turnovers for dessert! :)

I am happy to report that I have finally started my first sewing project! :) My good friend Andrea gave me a quick tutorial on my sewing machine and now I am on my way to becoming a sewing master! I am hoping to have it done by Aiden's birthday, for which I will be sending out invitations tomorrow!

Meals for this week:

Monday: Grilled Cheese & Applesauce (special order from my sick boys)

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken (new)

Thursday: Kahlua Pig

Friday: Chorizo Rice Skillet Dinner (new)

Saturday: Loaded Baked Potato Soup in Bread Bowls (new)

Sunday: Super Bowl! I plan on making a variety of things to bring over to the Rotter's house! I will let you know what I decide on next week.

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt