Sunday Worship - Is He Worthy?

This is just a really good worship song. 

Our Week in Photos #21

Here's our Week!

 On Saturday we celebrated my mom's birthday!  We helped her do some things at her new home, had steaks on the grill for dinner and cupcakes for dessert.

 The best part was the candle.  I bought the candles that re lite and it was beyond funny.  Just about the time she thought they were blown out, they would start burning again HA! 

 We wrapped up the last of our school projects which were science project for both boys.  

 We had a Field Trip with our Co-op to our local road commission as they were celebrating 100 years of service!  We had an amazing tour, great food, and lots of fun. 

We also enjoyed the pool.  This was actually our second time in the pool but on Friday evening we had it to ourselves and it was amazing.  We just plain love the pool. 

Weekly Menu

Can you believe it's June (well tomorrow).  I can't.  Summer is here, that's for sure!  This next week is pretty quiet to be honest.  We've wrapped up school and our friends are still in school so we have lots of free time this week which is actually kind of nice.

(Ironically, I posted about menu planning earlier this week and as I'm writing this I have zero inspiration!)

Here's the plan:

Friday: Chili Dogs, Potato Salad and Chips

Saturday: Hamburgers on the grill and daddy fries. (This was planned for last week but never happened!)

Sunday -  Depends on what is on sale when I go shopping - I really don't know . . chicken? Pork?

Monday: Tacos

The rest of the week . .. it's going to be based on what I find on sale at the store just because I'm lacking inspiration!  :

Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:

Summer Planning

Last summer I took time to lay out some basic summer plans.  You can read all about last summers fun HERE.

I like to print off calendars and fill them in for June-September.  I look to add events like the free Library activities, free movies, park days, free bowling days and more.  By laying it all out on the calendar it allows me to get an overall picture of what we want to do and what we can do. 

This year I did something a little different.  I put all of the little events on the monthly calendars as well as things already planned liked a Family Reunion and a camping trip.  I then made a "bucket" list of ideas that the boys have requested so that we fit those in too.

What's on our bucket list?
--Playing at a trampoline park (we have loved a place called "Catch Air" for years but the boys are very close to aging out of being able to go so we are transitioning to the trampoline park.)
-- Craigs Cruisers.  This is an amusement park like place with an arcade, go-carts, bumper cars and more.  It's another thing that that the boys are finally getting older enough to enjoy
--Windmill Island - this is a fun tourist thing to do in Holland, MI and has been on the list for a couple of summers.  The boys have both learned about it in Michigan History so I think it's time to go.
--A River Boat Cruise.  There are a couple of options between Grand Rapids and Lansing.
-- Visit Splash Pads.  There is one in our town now plus several in surrounding towns. 
-- Visit Boulder Ridge "Zoo" - it's a local Animal Refuge that we enjoy (and I love the giraffes)
-- The Grand Rapids Children Museum - our library offers free passes that you can check out once a year.  It's time to check it out again!

Of course, our biggest activity in the summer is swimming at the pool.  This is the last year my mom will be at the campground since she has moved close to us now so we want to enjoy the pool as much as possible.  (Or maybe I should say I want to swim as much as possible - I might love it more than anyone else!)

As I did last year, I'll share our weekly recap of our summer fun. 

Menu Planning

We had a busy weekend - it always shows when that happens because I don't get a chance to sit down and write up posts.  Plus, the well has been a little dry lately :-)  I think of great ideas when I'm laying in bed but then forget about them when it's time to post!

I love meal planning.  I've tried all kinds of ideas through the years to keep things exciting.  I've had some really dry times in menu planning too.  I find that we go through different stages in life where I can menu plan and stick to it like glue and then other times when life just gets in the way and we are eating the cupboards bare until I have a chance (or desire) to get to the store!  Recently I came across a couple different blogs that shared some good ideas on menu planning and I thought I would share.

The first one comes from Creative Home Keeper.

The basic idea is that you write down 20 or so of your favorite recipes to rotate throughout the month.  Yes, 20.  That leaves room for eating out, leftovers, and new recipes.  I also like that she actually has two lists - one for spring/summer and one for fall/winter.   When I read this post a few weeks ago, I liked the simplicity of it.  It's been stewing in the back of my mind since then and I'm slowing creating my spring/summer list.  One of the reasons this appeals to me is that it is flexible but I don't feel like I have to search recipes every Thursday to plan my menu.  I can use my master list to keep things simple. 

The other blog is Lime Life Planners.

I like this concept because she uses her planner to plan out meals and her grocery list.  Now, you know I am a total planner girl so this appeals to me on so many levels (and no, I don't use a Lime Life Planner - I just a cheap old planner I get on Amazon!).  My disclaimer to the grocer list, though, is I have a master list on my computer that matches the aisles in my store to make shopping easy.

If you don't meal plan or are looking for inspiration - maybe one of these ideas can help make planning just a little easier!

Our Week in Photo #20

Here's a look back at our week   I feel like I might have shared some of this already!! 

 On Saturday, I spent time rearranging some new furniture we got from my mom.  The animals loved having a new chair to sit on!  (So much so that they even sat together!) 

 We enjoyed time at my mom's new home. 

 Nate got to enjoy a fishing field trip with his fishing class from Friday School. 

Speaking of School - we are wrapping up projects!  They each have a science project to finish and one Language Arts test to take and we are done!  (Josh is really happier than he looks HA! - this is his Michigan History Timeline) 

Weekly Menu

It is the unofficial start to summer!  Can you believe that it is Memorial Day Weekend?  I cannot.  I'm still remembering how extremely long January was and yet May is flying by like it only has two days in the month!!

Friday -- Leftover Potato and Ham Soup from the freezer and Biscuits

Saturday -- It's my mom's birthday!  It's time to celebrate her :-)  She has requested steak and cheesy potatoes so that is what we will have! I'll add our favorite Corn and Tomato Summer Salad too :-)

Sunday -- Hamburgers and French Fries

Monday -- Memorial Day!  Brats and Hot Dogs, Zucchini, potatoes

Tuesday -- Sloppy Joes, Mac and Cheese, and Green Beans

Wednesday -- Chili Dogs and Fries

Thursday -- Tacos