summers end

With such a busy and warm August I'm so happy that fall is approaching and cooler weather is sneaking in. August was such an unusual time for our family, we had to deal with back to school for three out of three children this year, I admit right here right now a month in I'm still trying to get used to it. Every time I go somewhere it feels like I'm forgetting something, and I've noticed that I longinly stare at other moms with infants an toddlers, thinking to myself that time has passed way too fast. I am getting more done though with all this new found time on my hands. Today I will start my first of hopefully a weekly event My Monday Menu. For the last month each Monday I've been scanning the sale adds looking at PioneerWoman.com and planning our meals for the entire week and then shopping and organizing all of it. This has been a real time saver for us,and it's budget friendly I like doing this because not only are all the boys in school they are also all playing soccer and I've added two new Zumba Toning evening classes to my schedule. Needless to say I've been using my croc pot quite a bit. So here's my menu and at the top a couple of pics from our last few days of summer, Happy Monday!

My Monday Menu

Monday: Tomato & Mozzarella Tort with a side salad of arugula, red onion, cucumbers and what ever other veggies are on sale

Tuesday: (this is a very busy day I teach two classes, do reading groups at school and we have two soccer practices, so it's a croc pot night for us)
Italian chicken soup

Wednesday: Green Goddess pasta with shrimp (YuMMY!!)

Thursday: (our busiest day of the week, I teach on day class, one evening class and two of the boys have soccer putting us home after 7pm...second croc pot night of the week)
Croc pot lettuce wraps with a side of brown rice and steamed green beans

Friday: Healthy mushroom and shallot quiche with a salad.

I love knowing that my family will eat healthy and well prepared meals all throughout our busy week. With a little planning and a little organization it's possible and makes life so much easier. There is nothing better than coming home after a hectic day on the verge of starvation to find a wonderful, warm and healthy meal waiting for you. We make meal time a priority, with such busy days I think it's very important to let dinner be a time when we as a family all sit down together and talk about the highs and lows of our day, upcoming events, or topics that need to be discussed. Well I better get moving I have lots of grocery shopping to do and I can't wait for dinner!