1. Color coding
Once I had 2 boys I started color-code-brainwashing them…everything for my eldest was “red” and for my 2nd was “blue”. Then when number 3 came along he was “green”. Backpacks, lunch boxes, cups, bins, etc. It was especially helpful when they were little to quickly identify their stuff.
2. Root beer floats
Who doesn’t love vanilla ice cream with cool root beer poured on top? definitely a highlight of our day spent home with a sick 2 yr old (oh and note the color coded cups!).
3. Pinterest inspired salad with MIL baked chicken
Have I mentioned that I love pinterest? This week I search “food” on pinterest while I was making my grocery list. I found so many yummy recipes (individual egg quiches, roasted potatoes, delicious pork). This Autumn Chopped Salad topped the list. Here are the ingredients:
- chopped romaine lettuce
- diced pears (I used Bartlett)
- craisins
- chopped pecans
- bacon & feta (i didn’t use them…but in the original recipe)
- poppy seed & balsamic vinegar dressings…these were AWESOME together!
Monday night I made baked chicken (my mother-in-law’s recipe: chicken breasts sprinkled with Lawry’s seasoned salt in a dish in 350 degree oven for 1 hour). I made 6 chicken breasts…so I had leftovers. The next day I sliced some of the chicken breasts and put it on the salad…uh-maz-ing!!
4. Homemade Mac ‘n cheese (our “sabbath saturday” meal)
I’m planning on posting a “Sabbath update” but wanted to get one more weekend of research done first. This past weekend I did have a successful Friday sunset to Saturday sunset-24 hours of ceasing (not checking in to social media being the most noticeable change).
We ate lunch at home on Saturday…which for us is ceasing! I had my younger two boys (2 & 4 yr olds) help me put this meal together…that’s how easy it is. While it was cooking we had fun playing baseball out in the backyard in the beautiful weather…great memories. Here is the super easy recipe:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 3 Tbsp of butter in a 9×13 dish. Put dish in oven to melt butter. Then add 2 1/2 cups of uncooked macaroni to the melted butter. Stir until the macaroni is coated. Then add 8 oz of cubed Velveeta cheese & 3 1/2 cups of milk. Top with a little salt & pepper. Cook for 50-60 minutes (sometimes I like to go and stir up the noodles and cheese half-way through to spread the cheese evenly).
This is a recipe my sister gave me when I was first married. I’ve made it for potlucks a LOT (often making 2 pans). My little family of 5 almost ate the entire 9×13 pan it is so delicious.
5. Libraries
Dallas has this really cool thing. They have a brand new library just for kids… IN THE MALL! It’s been open for awhile but now that the kids are all old enough to enjoy it we have gone more often (particularly in the hot weather). At my eldest son’s school they gave us an awesome book list of great classical literature to enjoy (link is below). Often I will go online request those specific books and then go pick them up at the library.
This week we got some fun new books from the library…found 3 Max Lucado books we don’t own. We also met a friend there and exchanged books from each of our personal book collections…so fun! Go check out what your local library has to offer. Here is my son’s school’s reading list if you need some recommendations: Enrichment-Reading-List
What were some of your favorites this week?
I have to offer a counter-perspective. I somehow got “assigned” blue my whole life (my mom says she doesn’t remember doing this) and it really bothered me because my sister always got the pink. I think it’s because I was the one who had blue eyes. I’ve made a point to shuffle it around for my girls to avoid resentment, although Taylor has declared blue as her favorite color, so it’s really throwing me off. I guess moms just can’t win all the time!
ha! i think in your case that would be hard being a girl and assigned “blue”. My boys don’t seem to mind…but may be upset if i assigned them “purple”. I think they like it b/c they have to share everything else it allows them to feel some kind of ownership. I wouldn’t say that the color they have been assigned is their favorite color but they know that it works for them and it makes the day run more smoothly. (less battles over choosing cups, etc).
So, I copy/pasted your mac-n-cheese recipe for a friend who will loove receiving this dish when her baby comes very soon, and my printer is currently spitting out the book list – I love it! Thank you for sharing what works in your home. This gift of life was very timely today for my heart. Thank you, Heather.
awesome sauce! so glad that it was helpful to you today cheryl! isn’t that book list amazing…and long!
Oh, my… That mac ‘n cheese looks AMAZING!!! I also love the color coordinating. With one, no need :)))
Enjoyed your list, my friend!