Saturday Is A Special Day

Today's been pretty great. When Lincoln woke up at 6am, John got up with him and I slept until 11am. Wow, that was wonderful. Thanks, hun! I returned the favor and he had a nap...then our day got pretty busy.

We went out on a date to Subway and then to Walmart (I don't suggest going to Walmart on a Saturday). The weather was wonderful today and so we decided that a BBQ was in order. We got all we needed for the BBQ, plus milk (we always need milk), diapers (we always need diapers) and wipes (we always need wipes).

Both Mark and Savannah had been hanging out with friends today but both came home so John and I could go on our date. As soon as we got home, however, the friends all seemed to reappear. Ugggg. But, maybe because of the extra sleep I had, I was in a nice and pleasant mood. So I decided that Mark and Savannah could have their friends over for dinner. We put those kids to work. Some cleaned up in the backyard, others sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or sliced avocado and others cleaned the table outside.

John grilled hot dogs (all beef angus, yum), turkey burgers/regular burgers and bacon on the BBQ. All six of our kids, John and I, and four friends, gathered outside. It was noisy, chaotic, and a lot of fun. Dinner was delicious (thanks, hun)! I felt such happiness as my kids had fun and we enjoyed the nice weather.

Mark and Savannah took off with their friends after dinner and John and I enjoyed "Family Movie Night" with the "little ones", as we call them. Four kids is much quieter than six. And different. They are all so sweet and think that John and I can do no wrong, whereas Mark and Savannah know the truth...that we are not perfect. (You can only keep kids in the dark about this for so long).

They day is winding down and the "little ones" are headed to bed. I will be enjoying some much needed alone time with John. Saturdays are usually busy like this and I never get ready for Sunday, as the primary song suggests. My house is seriously messy (don't come over unannounced, please). The sink is full of dishes, the laundry is not done, and there are toys strewn all about. But I still feel today was a success.

Saturday's Dinner

Hot dogs, burgers (beef and turkey frozen patties) cooked on the BBQ
Buns
Condiments and toppings: lettuce, tomato, avocado, relish, pickles, banana peppers, sliced pineapple, ketchup, mustard, cheese, bacon
Grapes
Cheetos

Friday's Dinner

CHILI

1 pound of ground beef browned and drained
4 cans of chili beans
1 can of tomato paste
1 pkg of chili seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes

Combine ingredients, heat through. Serve with Frito Scoops and Cheese.

I give this **** 4 stars. All but Hunter and Micah liked it. They'll be having a big breakfast.

(This is my second installment for what we have for dinner...I'm doing this for just one week.)

Earth Day and Dinner

In honor of Earth Day, I will confess my "ecological sins."

1. I use a wad of toilet paper to wipe my behind. Sorry, Sheryl Crow, one square just doesn't do the job.
2. I have 6 children. I have contributed to the "diminishing resources" of the earth because of having so many offspring.
3. Said children wore disposable diapers (and Lincoln still does).
4. A couple of us girls use disposable feminine products (uh, pads/tampons). Yes, I have stumbled across some websites that sell reusable, cloth pads. Ewww, gross!
5. I own a gas-guzzling suburban. If more than 5 of us go anywhere, this is what I drive.
6. I have been known to let my suburban, and also my Hyundai, idle while I wait for my kids to be let out of school.
7. I drive 3 blocks to drop off and pick up my youngest 3 from school. I also walk to the library and park that are only 4 blocks away.
8. I leave the porch light on all night to keep the bad people away.
9. I leave the light on in the closet of the kids' bedroom all night to keep the monsters away.
10. I breastfed the 1st 5 children, but I bottle feed Lincoln. I use Playtex nurser bottles with the disposable bottle bags.
11. At least one time per week I forget to put the leftover food away after dinner and it ends up in the garbage.
12. I let Hunter and Micah play in the kitchen sink with the water on for hours...it totally entertains them and they stay busy and out of my hair.
13. We cut down our Christmas tree every year. You can't beat the smell of fresh pine needles.
14. We often go for Sunday drives. No destination. Just driving for fun.
15. When my recycling bin gets too full, I just throw my recyclables in the garbage.
16. I eat "pesticide-laden" produce.
17. I use paper plates most days of the week.
18. I eat animals. Yum.
19. My husband hunts and kills animals.
20. I use chemicals to clean my home.

But, to my credit, I do TRY to be earth conscious.

1. I do recycle. But it all goes in one bin, so it is fairly easy to do. I don't rinse out things first, though.
2. We use those energy efficient light bulbs.
3. I don't litter.


What's For Dinner?

I'm always curious about what people eat for dinner. I have a wonderful niece who cooks gourmet meals for her family. She and some other friends I have, LIKE to cook. I don't. So, what about us simple folk? What do we eat?? Well, for the next week, I will post daily what we had for dinner.

Tonight we had Chicken Fried Rice. Now, don't get excited. Most of this meal came from a box or a bag. I cooked 3 pounds of chicken, added "Chicken Helper" (3 boxes), following those directions. Added 2 bags of frozen stir-fry veggies and then finally, I added 8 scrambled eggs. Voila! Dinner is served. Wynter, Hunter and Micah hated it; John, Mark, Lincoln and I loved it; Savannah didn't have any because she wasn't home. I give it *** 3 stars! It was fairly easy to make and the majority of my family liked it. I consider that a success!!