Menu Monday

I generally don't dread things.  It's not my style.  But if I'm being honest, I've dreaded this week for about 5 years, 9 months, 17 days, and 1 hour 23 minutes.  Basically since Little Man was born I've dreaded sending him away to school.  I thought I had a lot of time when I was holding that little stranger in my arms, but I blinked.  I blinked and he grew up.  Now it's time to let him experience Kindergarten.

Thank goodness for moms.  I've talked with my mom about this about a gazillion times.  She gave me the best advice that has allowed all my tears to stay in when I get emotional about letting my little guy go.  Instead of focusing on my feelings and what I'm losing on his first day of school, I need to look at what he's excited about.  Little Man is so pumped to meet new friends, eat lunch at school, play on a new playground, go to art, music, and P.E., and show his teacher how smart he is (his words).  Seeing how happy he is about beginning school gets me excited for him.  He's going to do so well.

Enough of my emotional drama.  There are some other exciting events this week.  Like Little Miss beginning dance class today!  She's going to be so adorable in her little pink leotard, little pink tutu, little pink tights, and little pink slippers.  AND, Little Man also starts his first practice for flag football.  Yes, it's an exciting and crazy week.  I tell you all this so you understand the craziness of my menu.  Forgive me now.

Monday-Chicken Pesto Pasta, The Bread, Salad
Tuesday-Hamburger, Fries, Fruit
Wednesday-Croque Monsieur, Fruit Salad, Raw Veggies
Thursday-Man Pleasing Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Peas
Friday-Potato Kielbasa Skillet, Honey Crescents
Saturday-Tortilla Soup and Salad
Sunday-Oven Baked Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn

Chubby Cheekers 6 Month Edition

Hey Ladies,

I'm speaking specifically to the ladies, because I am officially six months old today.  I thought I'd give myself a little advertising for all of you out there.  First off, I'm luscious.  I've got rolls that will have you biting your lower lip.  My smile now contains one pearly white.  No teeth whitening for me. I currently live in a spacious and neat studio crib, and like to dine on fine milk.  Lately, I've been branching out and trying new fruits and vegetables.  Apples, bananas, carrots, avocados.  I can keep them all down. I am a bit of an adventurer, so you must be an 'on the go' gal.  In my spare time I enjoy explorations of my surroundings and I don't sit too well in one spot.  You'll need to keep up.

Even though I've teased you with my awesomeness, I need to share that I am currently not seeking any relationship other than the one with Mommy.  She is my main squeeze, but I just wanted to fill you in on what you could have with me.  I'm quite the cutie, or at least Mommy tells me that multiple times a day.  Once you hear something so often you tend to believe it.  So I'm a cutie, and you can't have me.  And just to seal the deal on my cutie patootie-ness, I'll add a picture of me fresh out of my long, warm bubble bath.  Oh, I'm also flexible...

Love, 
Chubby Cheekers

Baby Bullet. Let the Truth Be Told.

I am not an infomercial person.  I don't have a problem with wanting to impulsively buy items from random commercials, but there is one exception.

It was a late night.  Steven was at a fight night, and I was all alone, pregnant with the remote.  A pregnant gal can feel powerful with a remote...and a bowl of popcorn sprinkled with peanut butter m&m's.  As I was shoveling (it is honestly the only way to describe it) popcorn into my mouth, I paused from my channel surfing.  That was my mistake.

The infomercial was for this...

I watched that infomercial, for no lie, a straight hour.  I listened to the testimonials and was convinced that I NEEDED this adorable baby food processor.  All those cute little smiley faces with their cute little containers and their cute little freezer tray.  Let's not even get started on the spatula and recipes.  I. Was. Sucked. In.

I had really planned to buy this before Chubby Cheekers was of solid food age so I'd be ready, but time goes by fast.  I never purchased the Baby Bullet at the store where I had the best coupon, and I had fresh veggies ready to go.  Instead, I pulled out my food processor, steamed the carrots, and tried to liquify them.  No bueno.  See!  I really do need the Baby Bullet and their cute little faces, but it wasn't going to help me in that moment.  I had to make do with what I had, and all I had left was my blender.  And, guess what?  It worked just like the Baby Bullet.  At least what I saw on the infomercial.  I just saved myself $60!

I may not have the containers with those little smiley faces, but I do have some small mason jars and they work.  Thankfully, my senses came to me before I got sucked in to the infomercial world.  Can you imagine what would have happened to me if I had given in?  I could have ended up with a set of Trendy Tops, or a Pedi Egg, or the electric claw sharpener.  I'd better stop there.  I don't want to share too much.

Menu Monday

Why is it that when you blink, you're weekend is already gone?  We had quite the whirlwind of a weekend over here.  Steven's uncle from Chicago came with his wife, new baby, and nephew (Steven's cousin who is 6). We were very fortunate to spend lots of time all weekend with them.  Little Man and Cousin were especially fun to watch. It was a the first time I've had the opportunity to watch Little Man with an friend/cousin his age play all day and all night long.  Those two were nonstop.  Go, go, go until the crashed.  It was awesome.  Awesome until it came time for goodbyes last night.  Little Man was in tears!  That part was no bueno.  I hate watching little hearts break.  He hates goodbyes.

Since we had such a great time with family, I didn't get the menu typed out ahead of time.  Sorry it's a little late this morning.  I'm still on track for no repeat main meals for the month of August.  A few things carried over last week because I didn't make them.

Monday-Lemon Basil Pasta with Grilled Chicken, Salad, and Crescents
Tuesday-Eggplant Parmesan, Green Beans, Garlic Bread
Wednesday-Broccoli Chicken Casserole, Honey Biscuits
Thursday-Mexican Casserole, Corn
Friday-Fajita Bake (this has been on the menu labout 3 times and I have YET to make it) and Corn Saute
Saturday-Dry Rubbed Pork Chops, Potatoes Au Gratin, Salad
Sunday-Marlboro Man's Second Favorite Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries

Classy Consignment

I really can't believe it's time for the Rhea Lana of South Tulsa sale.  I've got all my items ready to go.  Remember, we're done reproducing over here?  We've decided our duty to help populate the Earth is complete. This means one thing.  I'm unleashing ALL of Little Miss' clothing birth-3 years old.  Many items still have tags on them!  Now, I'd like for you to go and BUY my items.

Kidding, you can buy other people's stuff too.  That's precisely why I love Rhea Lana.  It's like shopping at a store, because it's a STORE FRONT sale.  Not a warehouse where you will spend hours and hours searching for the right items, and then standing in a line that wraps around that said warehouse for a few more hours.  Like I said, it's store shopping.  LOVE IT.

Now here's how you love it too...

STEP 1:  We can have lots of fun.
STEP 2:  There's so much we can do.
STEP 3:  It's just you for me.

Wait a MINUTE...

I was a having a New Kids on the Block moment...

Let's get back on track.

Here's how you LOVE RL...

• Get in your car.
• Drive to The Shoppes at Regal Plaza @ 106th and Memorial (facing Hampton Inn)
• Enter the sale.
• Buy my stuff until your bag is overflowing.
• Head home and feel good about your savings.

See?  Wasn't that simple?  Now here are the times for you to check out this sale...

Pre-Sale Day: 

Monday, August 13th (hint:  join the RL Facebook page for this pass)

Sale Days:

Tuesday, August 14th 9am-7pm

Wednesday, August 15th 9am-6pm

Thursday, August 16th 9am-5pm

Half Price Sale Days:

Friday, August 17th 9am-7pm

Saturday, August 18, 9am-2pm

Splitting Up the Duo

I got the word today that Little Man's Meet Your Teacher day is next Tuesday.  All the prayers and decisions where he will go to school is coming to an end.  Another thing that's coming to an end is seeing these two side by side all day long...

\

As difficult as it is going to be for me to let him go all day long, it will be a big transition for Little Miss.  He is her best friend.  He takes care of her like a man would take care of a wife.  She is spoiled by him.  It's amazing to watch the bond they have.  I think that first day of school we'll have LOTS of activities planned to keep us both busy!  He's a special boy who will be missed tremendously.  

Menu Monday

I have bags under my eyes.  BAGS.  Big ones.  I cannot get enough sleep at night. It's not from my precious baby boy.  It's solely from the Olympics.  Whether it's those big 'ol weightlifting women or those bikini wearing beach volleyballers, I watch it all.  This is causing me to not go to bed until after 11pm.  That's late for me.  I wish I could tell my babies that I stayed up late so just sleep in a little bit in the morning, but funny thing about that.  It doesn't work too well that way.

You know what else doesn't work?  Telling dinner to make itself.  So I made a menu.  I'm trying hard this month to not serve the same thing twice, not including the sides.  We'll see how this pans out.

Monday-Dinner on a Stick, Buttered Bread
Tuesday-Meatloaf Minis, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Wednesday-Broccoli Rice Chicken Casserole, Crescents
Thursday-Chicken Tortilla Bake and Spring Salad
Friday-Eggplant Parmesan and Garlic Bread
Saturday-Grilled Pork Chops, Broccoli Cheese, Honey Biscuits
Sunday-Dinner with Family