Weekly Meal Plan #65

SUNDAY was...
FATHER'S DAY!!

Breakfast: Eggs, sausage, cinnamon raisin toast, and fruit

Out to lunch

Dinner: Grilled steak, sweet potato, asparagus, and mushrooms

MONDAY
Crockpot Chicken Fried Quinoa (pin)

TUESDAY
Avocado Chicken Parm (pin)

WEDNESDAY
DATE NIGHT!! It's Trivia for mommy and daddy... probably mac n cheese and hotdog for the kids :D

THURSDAY
Grilled Pork Tenderloin

FRIDAY
Pizza Night

SATURDAY
Probably not home for dinner... birthday parties!

Recap

 Frittata

 Grilled Chicken sausage, mac n cheese, and salad

Grilled Chicken Sausage Pasta with grilled pizza

Influenster :: Something Blue VoxBox

I was thrilled when I received an email from Influenster the other day saying that I met the qualifications for their Something Blue VoxBox; I LOVE trying out new products!

Want to see what I got?

Dr. Scholl’s(r) For Her Ball of Foot Cushions – $6.99 - 

 Here in Florida, I ONLY wear open toed shoes (even if it is December, shhh) so I enjoy the "...fit comfortable and discreetly in both open and close toed shoes" aspect of these. As a mom of 3 kids, I don't wear high-heeled shoes often, but when I do I want comfort. I'm looking forward to trying these out.

 

Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste – $7.99 –

I am intrigued with the whole "whiter teeth in just one brushing"... we will see :D

 

Q-TIPS (r) Precision Tips - $2.59-$3.35

I am not the neatest nail polish applier... so these come in handy!

 

Kiss everEZ Lashes – $4.98 (duo pack) - 

I'm not going to lie, I am SUPER excited to try these. I have never used them before and these look pretty simple to use (although I could be totally wrong!). I will be using them for this weeks date night!!

 

Urgent RX(r) Fast Powders – $1.39

I don't use medicine often... but it can't hurt to keep this in my purse.

 

Lastly, we got information about My Trio Rings which is an online jewelry store that has 65% off retail (what?! no way!!), free shipping, no-fee lay away, and 30-dat returns. The prices look awesome so definitely check them out.



Thank you Influenster for the opportunity to try out these fun products!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.


Have you heard of Influenster? It's a website I am signed up for and based on my interests and stage of life (college student, mom, athlete) I may be chosen to try out new products. It's really neat; check it out here and if it interests you let me know by email and I'll send you an invite (if I have any left).

Reward chart and treasure box!

Charlotte's preschool class started using a reward system for getting the children to behave in class. She was only in twice a week, so they started the week with 2 gold doubloons - they gained or lost doubloons depending on how they acted. If they ended up with 6 at the end of the week they got to choose a small price from treasure box (like the party favor packs at the dollar store like magnifying glasses, bubbles, colored hair braid clips, etc). Charlotte loved it and her teacher told me she was so polite and well-behaved.

Moving over to the Moore Babies house... I was getting to the point where I was PO'd frustrated every evening at the mess in the girls rooms and the shoes and clothes strewn about the house.

We had moved from a one story small house to a 2 story much larger house. So picking up shoes and toys after 4 (yes, husband is included in this, no offense hubby) kids is a lot more time consuming in the new house.

I finally decided to start our very own "Treasure box", but instead of gold doubloons, I found (and tweaked) a sticker chart. I actually just googled "free toddler chore chart" and found one that I liked and then added a column in photoshop. (I like the Modern Toddler Chore Chart from dandee)

The girls have to:
1. make up their beds (Jillie gets help)
2. Put their clothes in the hamper or if we are downstairs, into the washing machine
3. Bring their breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates over to the sink
4. Pick up their room (the play room is a different story)
5. Put their shoes in the closet in the hang-up rack (I found mine at bed bath and beyond)

At the end of each day, we go through each item, and they get stickers for the chores they have completed. If they don't do a chore, they get an "X"... 3 "X"'s means NO treasure box.

 

On Saturday evening, they get TREASURE BOX! I filled my treasure box with stuff from the target dollar section, dollar store, etc. (ok so some of the items are more than a dollar, but they were SOOOO cute!) I flip a coin to see who gets to pick first (although I may just alternate!).

And then it was Jillie's turn...

We have been doing this a month or so now and it's going pretty well. This past week Charlotte had some attitude and got 2 "X"s. But after reminding her what was at stake, she changed her tune and has been making up her bed first thing in the morning ever since! (score 1 for mommy)

Weekly Meal Plan #64

The next 2 weeks are going to be a little relaxed in the MooreBabies household... hubby has Annual Training. That means breakfast for dinner (still can't believe I married someone who doesn't like breakfast for dinner), leftovers, and evening playdates.

SUNDAY was...
Combination of Leftovers from the previous few days

MONDAY
Ham, Mac n cheese, and squash (or asparagus)

TUESDAY
Evening dinner playdate... maybe grilling up something fun and some appetizers
Very low key

WEDNESDAY
Oven baked tilapia with asparagus and mushrooms

THURDSAY
Asparagus, mushroom, and sausage frittata

FRIDAY
Pizza Night

SATURDAY
mmmm I'll try something from my pinterest board :D

Recap

 Grilled Ribs, chicken, shrimp, and veggies

 Pesto Chicken Pizza

 Chef Salad

 Pork Tenderloin and spaghetti squash

 Grilled chicken salad

{Summer Activities} #101 - Go Berry Picking

Another item from "101 Almost Free Things to do with Kids this Summer" has been checked off the list. #101 - Go Berry Picking.

 

 

About 15 miles away we have this U-Pick farm that has blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and vegetables at different times throughout the year. The other day we went with a few friends to go blueberry picking. The kids LOVED it. Along with weighing the blueberries we picked (to buy them), the kids should have been weighed too... I swear they ate every other blueberry that they picked.

 

 

For all other posts in this category go here: {Summer Fun}

5 months... slow down please!

What activities did Lizzie do during month 5?Day trip to SeaWorld with friends
Watching sissy's 1st soccer games
Went in the pool
Went to Busch Gardens
Went to the Spray Park

How is Lizzie sleeping?
- Goes to bed between 8 and 9 and wakes up once around 4/5, eats, and sleeps a little longer until maybe 8 or 9

What is Lizzie eating?
- Mommy milk
- Started oatmeal... not so much a fan.
- Tried banana... BIG fan!

What "skills" has Lizzie mastered?- Trying to sit up
- LOVES the jumperoo and exersaucer
- Kind of over the Bumbo seat, but will tolerate it in small doses
- loves to be pulled up to a standing position
- blows raspberries/bubbles

Plans for month 6 include...
Lots of pool time
Busch Gardens
Memorial Weekend fun


Happy 5 months Lizzie!

{Pinned there, Done that} Cheeseburger Soup

I came across this recipe for Cheeseburger Soup over at The Recipe Critic (pin) and decided to make it. During dinner, my 4 year old said "Mommy.. this is a such good dinner mommy!"... no joke!  Score!!

I followed her recipe to a T.

My picture isn't as pretty as hers... but it was still yummy!

Cheeseburger Soup
(src)
Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground beef (use 1 pound)
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 cups of Velveeta processed cheese cubed (I used 16 ounce)
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

1.  Brown the ground beef in 3 quart saucepan.  Drain and set aside.
2. In the same saucepan add 1 T butter and add onion, shredded carrots, parsley flakes, basil and celery.  Saute until tender.
3.  Add the broth, potatoes and beef and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
4.  In small skillet melt remaining butter (3 T) and add the flour.  Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly.  Add to the soup and bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Reduce heat to low.
5. Stir in the cheese, milk, salt and pepper.  Cook and stir until cheese melts.  Remove from heat and blend in sour cream.  
Yield 8 servings
Recipe Adapted from: Taste from Home