Meal Plan for Week of 01/01-1/07

I got a dehydrator for Christmas; it’s the only thing I wanted so I can make a healthy snack for my family.  This week oranges are on sale so that will be my first victim. 

Dinner

Saturday: Over my friend’s house, I need to bring broccoli and cheese and guinness cake

Big Family Dinner Sunday: Roast with gravy, potatoes, carrots, corn, and rolls $14 serves 7

Monday: Crunchy pork chops with noodles and green beans $4 serves 2

Tuesday: Chili with corn muffins $8 serves 4

Wednesday: Left Over/Cereal Night

Thursday: Salsa Chicken and Rice with Corn and black beans $7 serves 2 1/2

Friday: Take Out

Breakfast

Saturday Morning: Pancakes

WeekDay: English Muffins/Oatmeal/Cereal

Snacks-N-Sweet

Guinness Cake

Oatmeal & Raisin cookies

Orange Chips

Back to work I go

I had a nice 5 days off and I would like to say that I am getting back into the swing of things but I have another 5 days off this weekend so.... I am moving a little slow ;) Have no fear, I am back to blogging, meal planning, looking for a new book to read (I am open to all suggestions). 

The past month was very busy, I am looking forward to things getting back to normal.  The Advent Chain didn't work out that well, Monkey was just too young, maybe next year. Actual I think Monkey was still too young for most of the Christmas celebration between him not sitting through a Christmas carol show to opening up presents left under the tree.  He opening up one present at a time and wanted to play with that present right away, he really didn't care that there was more gifts for him.

Right now I have alot of work on my desk; wish my clients had 5 days off too. Enjoy your day!

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours. Enjoy
this beautiful day with your family!

Bad Morning

DH and I had a disagreement over Monkey's behavior (we are entering into the terrible twos) this morning and I still am upset.  Every time I think about it and I get upset, I pray for support and guidance but I'm such a sensitive passionate person that it's hard for me not to think about our little fight.  The worst part is now I am at work. I just hate how we left it, I like to duke it out till it's resolve not go to work or bed then deal with it 8-10 hours later. I like to finish whatever is on my mind when it's raw and fresh.  I know this is normal and we are going to have our disagreement over Monkey, in every chapter of your life there will be drama, that's the way God wrote the book.

What's in your Church Bag??

Help Mommas!! Monkey is getting tired and bored of his church bag,  I need some ideas or all my prayers will be "please give me strength" lol.  A small problem is Monkey isn't a really toy kid, he likes to color, explore, and move. I think his 2011 goal will be making it to the altar, he is just such a curious kid.

What I have now in my bag.....

2 Books

Small car 

Stuff animal

Easter egg (he loves putting things together and apart)

I also bring raisins and a water cup.

I'm thinking making some "lacing" animals and looking for a smaller wooden puzzle??

2011 Monkey Lesson

For the past few days I have been taking a break from preparing for Christmas and working on next year’s Monkey Lesson’s.  I like to plan ahead to I can find books, stickers, craft, and toys now at the fraction of the cost. The most important part right now is picking out the “theme” and what I want to teach a two year old. We will be doing the same activities for each theme (matching, coloring, finding, outings, reading). 

January’s theme will be Snowman (clothes, snow, and cold)

February’s- Bears (Big and Small, sleeping, trees)

March’s- All about Me (Body Parts, Emotions, God Loves me)

April’s- Jesus (easter animals, flowers, church)

May’s- Farm (Farm animals, animal noises)

June’s- Cowboys (Horses, Clothes)

July’s- Noah (Animals, Rainbows, Boats)

August- Beach (Ocean, Fish, Hot)

September- Police and Fireman (Fire Safety, being safe, strangers)

October- Zoo (zoo animal, animal noises)

November- Potty Time

December- Advent/ Jesus

Santa

What’s the set back about bring your little toddler not liking Santa Saturday night

thinking anybody with a beard is Santa and would not take communion on Sunday morning 

Lunch Break

It is amazing on how much stuff you can get done during your lunch break.  I think it’s one of the “pros” about working; you get 30-60 minutes to do whatever you want or need to do.  I can read, call a friend, paint my nails, take a prayer walk, library, run errands, go to the store without a baby (heaven), or have lunch with co-workers.   What do you or would you do on your lunch break?

I need to find a way to slow down time

I really dislike that fact that it's December 3rd and it feels like December 25 is tomorrow.  But besides that happy Friday!

Our 2010 Advent Chain

I know I am a few days late, it took some time to type this up.  I made an Advent Chain for Monkey, I don't know how successful this will be since he is only 21 months old but what harm can it do.  He enjoys ripping the links off, I'm having a hard time with Monkey ripping one at a time but that's what tape is for right. 

I cut strips of violet and rose paper and wrote something that I know Monkey can do on each of them.

11/28 Light the first candle on your Advent Wreath

11/29 Color the angels picture

11/30 Give a big smile to everybody you see

12/1 Help momma clean the house

12/2 Give everyone in your family a big hug

12/3 Make 4 Candles to hang on your wall

12/4 Have a special day with your parents

12/5 Light the second candle on your Advent Wreath

12/6 Listen to momma as she reads about Saint Nicholas

12/7 Read a Christmas book

12/8 Make angel

12/9 Give everyone in your family a big kiss

12/10 Color Baby Jesus picture for grandparents

12/11 Have a special day with your daddy

12/12 Light the third candle on your Advent Wreath

12/13 Make  Christmas cards for grandparents

12/14 Give everyone in your family a big hug

12/15 Singing Happy Birthday to Uncle Michael

12/16 Say a prayer for those who falling asleep unto the Lord

12/17 Read a Christmas book

12/18 Enjoy a special day with your cousins

12/19 Light the fourth candle on your Advent Wreath

12/20 Watch Christmas movies

12/21 Listen to momma while she reads about the Nativity

12/22 Make a Birthday Card for Jesus

12/23 Help make a birthday cake for Jesus

12/24 Create a Christmas tree

12/25 Light the White Candle! Merry Christmas Monkey

The Advent Chain will be a big part of Monkey Lesson this month.