Kelly's Menu 4/28 thru 5/4

I haven't really cooked a decent meal in a few weeks.  The fast and furious nature of my husband's track schedule mixed with child commitments, organization meetings, illness, and holiday shopping left me standing still.  I am happy to be able to be running at least 3 nights a week...in the long run, my exercise helps my family more than the home-cooked meals.  I have decided that I have to be okay with that.

Recently, my son started getting up in the middle of the night after 30 months of nearly perfect sleeping.  When I was a mom of just one, I got up and fed my daughter each time she woke in the night.  When I was a mom of two, I developed a sleep and feeding schedule; I sat next to the bed, in the room, outside an open door, and finally in the hall making comforting "sssshhhhh" noises.  It wasn't easy, but I was trying to begin with the end in mind.

Now as a mom of three, I got up with my son and tried to put him back to bed once; when he returned to my room a second time, I said, "Go back to bed or sleep on the floor." He dropped down and slept-no pillow, no blanket.  I did mumble to my husband that we had a visitor on the floor and to be careful not to step on him.

I have to be okay with that. It is where I am. I am doing everything I can with my remaining resources. Decided I was okay with a messy house, non-perfect meals, and kids sleeping on the floor has has had the opposite effect...so here's my attempt at a meal plan.

Monday-Italian Baked Chicken with broccoli

This is a favorite in our house.  The leftovers will go great as additions to a salad in our lunches.

Tuesday- Slow Cooked Tex-Mex Chicken with quinoa

I haven't tried this recipe of Joyce's yet and both green and red peppers were on sale this week.  I may have overused Salsa Chicken the past few months so I am hoping this southwestern-styled dish will give me another option to fuel our need for no prep, crock-pot friendly, and spicy food. 

Wednesday- Eating assorted breakfast foods or sandwiches in the Car

My husband's first of two LONG track meets will be tonight.  I hate when track meets happen on days the girls have after-school activities because I will have to do both drop-off and pick-up over a one-hour class.  Going home is a waste. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate so we can head to the park...if it rains, we'll be visiting Target and filling the gas tank.

Thursday-Spicy Chicken Rigatoni with salads

I think this is my favorite dish!  I got a 2 pound bag of rigatoni recently for 88 cents. This meal is large enough to leave a decent amount of leftovers for lunch tomorrow. 

 Friday-Delicious Crock-Pot Pork Chops

John will be out of town again tonight, racing home to take our oldest daughter to the Daddy-Daughter Dance and heading back to the meet. But I figure we can eat the leftovers on Saturday.

Saturday-Oatmeal Energy Bites 

My girls can start helping me make these easy breakfast bites.  These will be nice for John and I so we don't need to prep breakfast all next week.

Sunday-Lemony Tuna Toss

Trying to work ahead for the week, we can eat this light and healthy lunch on whole wheat mini-bagels. Quick and easy so we can keep working.