The Addington Weekly Menu: September 19-13

This marks the second week of meal planning at our house, and it worked so well last week!  We actually ended up with extra food, which I took as lunches to work.  It was nice to have more delicious food to look forward to after four beautiful middle school band rehearsals.

Breakfasts:
I have several whole wheat waffles and "PB&J "pop tarts" left from last week's batch cooking session.  They were both a hit for Mr. Cheeks (and me!).  This week we'll continue to enjoy those, and I'll make some pumpkin bread.

I would love to make it from scratch, but I have one of these that I need to use up, and I'm anxious to see how it tastes.

Dinners:


I don't plan my dinners for specific nights because our schedule is unpredictable.  I am trying to do one casserole per week that can be eaten as needed, and then several other light meals.  The air is just starting to get crisp, so I'm going to treat my family to some comfort food, and a few family favorites.

UPDATE: Took this photo tonight!  It was amazing!

1. Martha Stewart's Macaroni and Cheese










2.  Real Simple Magazine's Pulled Pork Tacos
 (see photo above from a time we made them at the beach!)  We usually add some beans (black or refried) and coleslaw (store-bought if we're in a hurry).

3.  Grilled Flank Steak with Red Potatoes and a Salad
We'll buy a larger flank steak and then reuse the steak in either a dinner salad, fajitas, or steak sandwiches.

These three meals should be plenty for our family, especially because Hubby is only home three nights this week.  Happy Monday!

Looking for more inspiration?  Head over to Organizing Junkie!

The Value of Routines

Up creeps the morning sun and the loud buzzer announces the start of the day.  It's 5:30 am.  

{Now What?!?}

Having a routine in your household can look very different for different families.  Regardless of how you plan your routine, creating and planning different kinds of activities that occur at the same time each day can be very helpful.

Intentionally planning the structure of your days to make them organized and predictable for you and your children can bring a sense of calm and order to life.  As a working mom, I am not responsible for planning activities for the bulk of the weekdays, but there are precious times with my son during the evening that are much better if I plan them.  There are also those busy mornings and full weekends that can be challenging without a plan.

When planning your routine, here are some things to consider:
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The Addington Weekly Menu

Here are some of the healthy delicious meals that we will have on Addington this week:

Breakfasts:

Photo courtesy of Weelicious 

Whole Wheat Waffles
(Monday and Friday)

Photo courtesy of Weelicious

Peanut Butter and Jelly "Pop Tarts"
(Tuesday)






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Back to School - Special Moments

A school is a special place.  Exploration, development, laughter, and growth all take place in a school.  Being a student when you are only 2 can be a daunting task, but Mr. Cheeks is up for it.

When I look at this picture, I marvel at not only the magic of watching an individual grow, but growing with them.  Learning things you never knew; I couldn't make the awesome tractor and racecar sounds I make now even a year ago!  And revisiting all of the simple things in the world that make it so magical.  When is the last time you shrieked at the sight of a school bus?
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Ten Lessons of Motherhood

This restful weekend gave me more time than usual with Hubby and Mr. Cheeks.  Now that Mr. Cheeks is two, I barely have my feet underneath me once again.  As my own Monday Morning Quarterback, I realize the changes that occured (for the most part unknowingly) over the last few years.

1.  It is not always about you.  I never would have considered myself selfish until Mr. Cheeks arrived.  I very quickly realized the true meaning of giving and expecting nothing in return.

2.  My husband is the reason I became a mother, and his role in this whole thing is not to be taken lightly.

3.  I have more patience than I ever thought possible, and even with such a large supply, it disappears quickly.

4.  Watching another person grow up brings out the childish joys in everyone around them.

5.  Children don't come with an instruction manual, but as long as you do your best, the sun will come up tomorrow.

6.  Time is now more precious than gold.  Decisions about how time will be spent are not taken lightly on Addington.

7.  Both the laughter and the tears of your own child will make you come running.

8.  Motherhood is a bond between those who have experienced it, and although it can seem like a competition, most moms have your back.

9.  Repetition is the rhythm of motherhood.

10.  No matter how hard the labor, we'd all sign up to do it again.  And no husband can believe it.

The journey has just begun to a finish line I never hope to reach.