The mood today is brighter. It’s been a good week for the two oldest boys. Craig, on the other hand, has had a terrible week – copious drool + complete personality change + waking up again at night have us convinced that the two year molars are making an early appearance. He’s been an absolute nightmare – basically crying and furious the whole time he’s awake. Our sweet baby is back today, though, for how long we don’t dare guess.
Yesterday, to celebrate the boys’ successful completion of their first week of school, we drove about a half hour to a pretty nice municipal pool, complete with waterslides, diving board, and snack bar. It was one of the hottest days we’ve had in a while, the full sun beating down, and swimming really hit the spot. We swam, rode waterslides, enjoyed popsicles from the snack bar. On the way home we grabbed hot dogs from a small local business, and then the boys drew pictures and played together while their father and I mowed the lawn/did dishes/laundry/vacuumed/etc. Though I never quite made it to the grocery and our cupboards were bare, we had enough to make a delicious chicken curry for dinner, and then I took the big boys to a movie in the park while the Professor stayed home and wrestled our Beast Toddler into bed. I spread out a giant beach towel on the grass for the boys and sat myself in a camp chair to watch the film, but both boys wanted to sit in my lap. I let them. Jack’s getting way too heavy for this, but as long as he wants to do it I’m going to suffer and let him squash me. It was hot hot hot. Eventually I kicked them back to the towel, and Liam fell deeply asleep. I finally got them in bed close to 10pm, Liam still sound asleep from beach towel to carseat to bed. A late night, a last gasp of summer.
This morning I am home working a bit, while the Professor has taken the baby to church. The boys are watching Dino Trucks, some Netflix original Transformers/Bob the Builder/Dinosaur Train mashup. I’ve made a meal plan (see below), and grocery list. The dishwasher is running, as is the laundry machine. The house is in order. I feel a little peace. I hope it sticks.
Below, our week’s meals. We do Blue Apron on occasion – it’s a definite indulgence, as it costs about as much as a family meal out at a decent restaurant, and I’m doing all the work! But it is fun, once every 4-6 weeks, to try a new wacky meal with fresh, interesting ingredients that I can’t get at the local grocery. It keeps it interesting. No Blue Apron this week – instead, I’m making the following:
- Sunday: sweet potato and Gruyere turnovers
- Monday: seared fish, red potatoes and green beans
- Tuesday: French lentil soup, apples, and cheese
- Wednesday: Box macaroni and cheese with frozen veg and a can of tuna mixed in (Professor will not be home for this one – this is his least favorite meal!)
- Thursday: Chicken gumbo
- Friday: Turkey sloppy joes with potato salad
Happy Sunday, folks. Here’s to the week ahead.