Monday, April 18, 2011

The Perfect Storm

Like most families, our children participate in various activities.  There are some things that happen every week and the rest usually fall twice a month.  But one week a month, all of the kids’ activities converge and everybody has everything in one week.  This is that week.  I will be shuttling at least one child to one activity every night this week, plus a couple of before-school clubs, and Firstborn’s homeschool PE class and art class, which are during the day.  I know for some of you this sounds like your daily reality, but for me it’s a busy week, “the perfect storm”.

The main issue this creates is dinner time.  We normally eat about 6:30 or 7:00, because that’s when Craig gets home.  This week I will need to feed one of the kids before I drop him/her off, and then I'll get home right about the time Craig does and the rest of us will eat.  Meal planning is not my forté, but this week I decided to be very organized about this and plan mainly crockpot meals which will be ready for one person to eat early, without sitting around and getting cold or over-baked for the rest of us.  It will also avoid last-minute dashes to the drive-thru.

Here’s my menu:

Monhot ham sandwiches, celery and carrot sticks, tortilla chips

Tues:  crockpot chili, cornbread muffins (I like this Wendy’s copycat recipe, but this time I’ll omit the beef and use all beans)

Wedsweet and saucy chicken, brown rice, salad (new recipe for me; I’ll use boneless, skinless chicken breasts)

exps45756_SSCM1753684B10_08_5bTaste of Home

 

Thu:  swiss steak, egg noodles, salad (put round steak in crockpot w/ sliced onions and green bell pepper, mix a can of tomato sauce with minced garlic, thyme, and salt/pepper, and pour over steak)

Fri:  we always have pizza/movie night; no activities

 

How about your family?  Do you have any strategies for activity nights?

3 comments:

dixie said...

Pick up a copy of new newest Dierberg's Everyone Cooks because there is a recipe for pulled chicken tacos (crockpot). So so so so easy and very yummy. It makes a ton, but freezes well.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

My strategy is called "run around like a chicken with its head cut off." I much prefer your strategy!! ;)

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

We do pizza and movie night every Friday as well! Your week sounds busy, it doesn't matter if everyone does it - that just means everyone is busy! Good luck!