It's Summertime (well almost) Pre-Summer Fun

 

While we are not officially into our weeks of summer yet, we do have things going on over the next few weeks so I'm going to start with some "pre-summer fun" posts.  

I will start with Friday night, May 10th just because it was so cool!  We had an amazing show of the Northern Lights.  I was so surprised that we could see them and am thankful I stepped outside just before heading to bed to catch a glimpse. 

This top photo I took with my phone camera.  I had been reading about using a camera to see the lights because it filters out so much light.  It was amazing!    The photo below is more with the "naked" eye.  I still used my phone but I turned off a setting so it didn't filter out quite so much. 

On Saturday, May 11th, Nate participated in a formal Black Belt seminar to be trained on how to teach the new requirements that are part of the federation is school is a part of at this point.  Darryl, Joshua, and I went to my in-laws for most of training but I did catch the last 20 minutes or so and it was impressive to see all of the Black Belts together. (There were some higher colored belts as well as they are considered "in training") 

Nate is standing with the official banner as well as the Grand Master. 

Sunday, May 12th - Mothers Day!  I love these guys :-) 

Wednesday, May 15th was the last youth group for the year at our church.  This is a portion of the group - there were several missing.  The youth group has almost doubled in size in the last few months and it has been great to see!  

Weekly Menu

 We are enjoying a beautiful May.  I love being able to have the windows open and enjoy the beautiful spring breeze.  Everything has turned green and it's just so pretty out.  It's also the time of year that it seems every school assignment DRAGS!  We are trying really hard to finish up school  . . .and then all the projects hit HA!  Oh well, it will all get done, just not as soon as any of us would like (which would be yesterday . . LOL) 

Friday - Nacho's and Salad.  

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's 

Sunday - Dr. Pepper Meatballs, 7-Layered Salad, and Mexican Dip with chips.  

Monday - Pot Pies

Tuesday - Spaghetti and Garlic Bread and a salad

Wednesday - Mac and Cheese, Ham and Watermelon

Thursday - Lasagna and Garlic Bread and salad

It's (Almost) Summer Time!

 

As per my normal routine, it is time to "plan" our summer.  This is the time that in years past I lay out what our basic plan is for the next few months.  Some years I have planned a lot of activities (especially when my guys were younger) and some years I've planned less and let my guys take the lead (as they get older).  This summer is unique - a first for us really.  Why?  Because the two "kids" I have watched for almost 14 years (well, the oldest one), will not be here this summer.  My official time with them ends on the last day of school.  So this summer will be the first time since my guys were babies that it will just be "Us" (Nate was 8 months old when I started watching Cooper!)  While we will miss them being here daily I think we will also enjoy our time too.  I'm sure we will see them throughout the summer - either swimming at their house or inviting them along for some outings with us but it won't be the daily thing we are used to.  Change is good though.  Another unique thing is that I actually have a small job that is not babysitting.  It isn't much - just one day (4-6 hours) where I clean our church.  So one day a week I'll be off doing that for a good portion of the day.  

At this point of my guys lives, as teenagers, I like them to be able to enjoy their summers.  There will be weeks of camp, visits with family, and stays with grandparents.  Not to mention outings with friends and I hope to do a few fun things with just "us".  They are also looking forward to some events at the Library for Teens as well.  So really, our summer plans itself!  

Then, at this stage of the game, I have more freedom to plan some things for myself.  I have some goals of things I'd like to accomplish. Summer is my prime time to get things done as during the school year my time is limited.  I am really hoping to get my two co-op classes completely planned this summer (I say that every year HA!).  

Even as I start to think about summer and planning out my/our weeks first thing is first - we are still wrapping up school.  Nate is trying to finish by the end of the week.  Josh is aiming for the end of the month.  Music lessons will wrap up for the year by the first week of June.  Both youth groups are wrapping up by this week.  So things are really starting to wind down!  

I really cherish these summers with my guys.  They are so fun to hang out with and be around - I don't want to miss these moments!  

Weekly Menu

 Welcome to another week of menu planning!  Things are starting to slow down around here and we start the slow slide into summer.  A few more weeks of school, youth groups start to wind down, recitals are coming up and then everything stops and we can breath a little.  Well, outside of a few weeks of camp HA! BUT we still have the rest of May to get through! 

Friday - Dr. Pepper Meatballs, Fries, and Fried Zucchini - my mom is coming over for dinner tonight too (I told her Baked Beans but I changed it to Fried Zucchini HA!) 

Saturday - We will be running around a little bit as Nate as a TKD seminar to attend.  Since that location is about 10 minutes from my in-laws we are going to hang out at their house for a few hours before picking Nate up.  Josh and Nate then have a youth activity which includes pizza.  Darryl and I will head home after dropping them off.  I'm going to try a new recipe - steak and potatoes in the crock pot.  

Sunday - It's Mother's Day!  This year I asked my mom to come to our house so we can cook for her!  The plan is burgers on the grill, Macaroni Salad, Chips and Dip, and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert! 

Monday - Pot Pies

Tuesday - Nachos

Wednesday - This is the last week of Wednesday youth group which means I have to start planning a regular dinner after this week so Darryl and I just having Broccoli Cheese Soup and Ham. 

Thursday - Chicken Crescent Braid and Asparagus 

Weekly Menu

 Last week was a little busy in retrospect. I shifted a few meals but that’s ok 😊

Friday - Swiss steak, rice, biscuits and salad 

Saturday - dinner at my moms 

Sunday - roasted pork loin, baked potatoes/sweet potatoes, rolls and corn

Monday- pulled pork tacos

Tuesday - chicken, Amish noodles and green beans

Wednesday - A frozen meal or leftovers

Thursday - bbq cups and fties  

Weekly Menu

 I’ve been trying to stick to my menu more - but sometimes Joshua changes it. 🤣. Not really!  Our schedule changes it sometimes though!  

Friday - Sesame pork loin, souper rice, corn and biscuits

Saturday -  dinner at my moms

Sunday - there’s a pot luck at church

Monday - shepherds pie (thanks to my mom) 

Tuesday - Crescent Roll pot pie

Wednesday - a frozen meal

Thursday - Tacos! 

Weekly Menu

 Spring time is blooming!  We always joke here that we get the last snow on April 27th - and that is true many years - but this year doesn't seem like the norm so I am doubting we will see anymore . . .even just a light dusting!  Things are quieting down around here again, which is good, as we are pushing through to finish up school over the next few weeks.  Nate is trying to finish by mid-May and Josh is aiming for the end of May.  I still have to cook though so here is the plan for the coming week:

Friday - Chick-Fil-A Nuggets and Fries

Saturday - Joshua and Nate have a youth activity so Darryl and I are going on a date. 

Sunday - Roast, Potatoes, and carrots in the crock pot. 

Monday - Beef and Pasta Soup with yeast rolls

Tuesday - tacos and Salad

Wednesday - Leftover Soup and crescent rolls

Thursday - Chicken Alfredo and Garlic Bread