Weekend Plans

Our weekend starts out on Friday with beautiful weather. They are calling for sun and a high of 70. That is great because Madison is cheering at her final home football game this year. I really want to attend. The good mother in me is planning on it. The wimpy, old mommy who is in her jammies most nights now by 6:00, is not looking forward to sitting in the cold! So far, things look good!

Saturday morning, I visit with my father in what has become a special time I look forward to each week. Sitting and visiting with him in that setting allows more time to really talk without everyday distractions. Before I go, I am planning on putting a beef roast in the crock pot with some onions and carrots. The weather promises to become chilly and damp... perfect weather for a comforting meal of beef roast and mashed potatoes. We have Mass in the late afternoon, so after that, it will be dinner and maybe some Halloween movies. I love Saturday nights with no plans!

Sunday is our pumpkin carving day! This is (yet another) one of our favorite fall traditions. In the early morning, I am planning on starting a big pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove...ahhh my favorite! I don't make spaghetti and meatballs as much as my own mother did, or as much as my family would like, but when I do it is a great day! The Steelers play in the early afternoon, so after that, we will carve our pumpkins! I always put on the same cd of not so spooky Halloween music and cover the kitchen floor with newspaper. Steve is our carver, while I am in charge of helping scoop out the yuck! The kids are older now, so with the exception of Flynn, they pretty much do it themselves. After we are all done, we turn out the lights and check them out before we set them outside for Halloween. Well, that is a peek at our weekend plans. Hope your weekend is happy and not too spooky, whatever your plans may be!

Madison brought home this beautiful watercolor she painted in art class this week.

Peyton made some yummy cupcakes for a special treat.

Flynn was excited to visit Grandma Flo last weekend.

Weekly And Monthly Planning

One of the things I like to do to keep my family organized is to make a weekly menu and activity schedule. Although it sounds complicated, it really just involves me, the school calendar, the sports calendar, Madison's work schedule (during the months she is working), my desk calendar, my recipe book, and some markers and stickers. Those last two are optional, by the way. Just the former teacher in me! : )

Every Thursday morning, I sit down with these items and make the schedule for the upcoming week. I simply write down the activities and appointments for each day and then, based on that, I plan the meal accordingly. If we are very busy on a certain night, I know to plan a simple supper. Once that is done, I make my grocery list for the week based on the meals we will be having. Then I am all set for my shopping trip on Friday morning.

Here is what this week's schedule/menu plan looks like. Fancy, I know.

            

Once I am all done with the activity list and menu, I put it in the basket on my desk until I hang it on the bulletin board in the kitchen Sunday night. The kids always enjoy seeing what is on the menu for the week! Every morning, I write the day's dinner menu on the chalk board in the kitchen. If I ever forget, they are sure to remind me!

Here is our bulletin board. It hangs behind the kitchen table.

And this is our chalkboard. It hangs behind the table too.

Here is the basket I keep on my desk in the kitchen.

                                             

I have a folder for each month, and I keep several things inside. I have a simple, handwritten list of things to do each month. For example, the October list has things like look for costumes, clean furnace filters, and wash Halloween clothing. I keep special recipes tucked inside as well. This is where I keep our candy corn pizza and pumpkin coffee cake recipes! These folders help me to remember all the fun food, activities, and plans that are specific to each month. They make my life much easier!  Well, that is a quick look at how I organize my weeks and months. Happy planning!



Weekend Plans

Ahhhh... late October weekends...things are winding down and the wonderful chaos that is Thanksgiving and Christmas is still a turn or two of the calendar page away.  This time of year is our time to regroup, relax, and rest up for the excitement and activity ahead. Soccer is over, and it was fun. Madison is done with work at Dairy Queen, and she is glad. She does miss it but is enjoying the slower pace of her days. Cheerleading is winding down with just a few games left. Unless we make the playoffs! Things slow down and we begin to come together and snuggle up in our country home. I love it. Our weekend reflects this new pace, and I am glad. Friday evening Madison has a" far away" game. Steve and Rhett are attending, and Madison is thankful. That way, she can ride home with them instead of on the bus! Peyton, Flynn and I will remain at home for a quiet evening in, which will probably involve a Max and Ruby marathon!

Saturday morning, Flynn and I will visit with my father at his nursing home. He and his roommate love when she comes. I think it is seeing a younger person that just makes their day. After that, we are free. Steve is debating about giving the lawn one last trim before winter. I am planning on putting some chicken in the crockpot for dinner before mass. We are attending late mass this week because Rhett is serving. That is something he just loves to do!

Sunday is our first soccer free Sunday in quite some time. We are planning on visiting Steve's mother. She lives in a beautiful assisted living home in a nearby town, and we don't get to see her as often as we would like. After our visit, the kids have requested a late lunch at Red Lobster. Sounds good to me! Then Sunday evening our Steelers are on. Peyton and I are thinking about making some monkey bread to enjoy while we watch the game. Well, friends...that is our weekend. I hope yours is restful and fun, whatever your plans may be!

Another favorite fall scent...Autumn Wreath : )

Guess who is getting a manicure just in time for Halloween? Hint: not me

Found this at the store, and thought it would be perfect for Halloween morning since it falls on a school day this year.

Fall Family Fun Day 2012

Last Monday the kids had off school, so we headed out for our annual Fall Family Fun Day at the park. This is another of our favorite traditions. We have been doing this since Madison was little and the kids always look forward to it. Most years we are blessed with beautiful weather. This year was no different, except it was quite chilly! Usually, we eat our pizza at the park, but because it was only 50 degrees, we opted to eat at camp. This actually worked out well, because our camp has been recently remodeled, and is really quite nice and cozy. My mom even brought my dad up for our pizza party! After that, we headed out over the mountain for a leaf ride. Steve takes me every year and tries to find the best spot for us to view the beautiful leaves! We ended up at the park and my sister and her husband met us there. The kids all had fun and played until their fingers were too cold! It was a beautiful day! Here are some pictures of our day!

                           

Flynn loved "driving" at the park.

Peyton proving you are never to old to climb up a silde backwards!

Madison and Ryan had fun too!

Rhett always looks out for his Flynn. : )

Flynn Grace...almost 3 years old.

Ryan helped Rhett with the monkey bars.

Fall Family Fun Day Photo 2012