Menu Plan 4/12/11

I try to get my menu posted on Monday's but, I am late as usual : ) I came across my Weekly Menus Folder that I had misplaced back in November.  You see each week I write out a list of the foods taht we will be eating that week.  I keep the breakfast and lunch foods the same for the most part and just change up the dinners.  I then save these menu plans in a handy dandy folder.  

When I am planning my meals for the week I like to go back to the foods that we have tried before and love.  While I do love to try new recipes, I do not like to feel like I have to totally recreate the wheel each and every week.  So, I am very thankful that I fold my folder. 

Here is what's cookin' this week:

Monday

Meatless Monday - Brown Rice, Black Bean Burritos

Tuesday

Breakfast Night - Cinnamon Belgian Waffles, Eggs & Cantaloupe

Wednesday

Lemon Pepper Chicken, Seasoned Potato Wedges & California Blend Veggies

Thursday

Shepherd's Pie

Friday

PIZZA - I know that I have talked about it, but this week I am really gonna do it!  I am going to make my own pizza crust.  I am going to try this dough recipe.

Saturday

Burgers, Dogs, Fries and a Veggies Pasta Salad

Sunday

Spaghetti - I was making a cake the other day and when I opened up a package of Philly Cream Cheese I found an interesting recipe, Spaghetti ala Philly.  Anyone ever tried this one??  

Does anyone have any new family favorites to share?

TOS Crew: Kinderbach

We were given the chance to review the Kinderbach Preschool Online Piano video lessons recently for the TOS Crew.  Kinderbach is a fun and easy way for children ages 3-8 to learn to play piano at home, either online or by DVD.  Don't Worry Mom, No Musical Background Required, I Promise! 

Kinderbach is different than most piano programs, because it teaches music through stories and games.  Each music note becomes a fun character that kids are sure to remember.  Here are the things that we liked best about Kinderbach:

• Kinderbach has 240 Lessons.  With so many lessons available, there is lots for kids to learn and keep them from getting bored.
• The Characters and Stories through out Kinderbach help kids to remember the different notes and keys that they are learning in fun way.
• The lessons have Games and Printouts for reinforcement. 
• The videos are upbeat, fun and entertaining, so much so that the kids look forward to watching them!  And ask to watch them over and over and over again.
• Kinderbach includes activities for Multiple Learning Styles, which is great since different kids learn in different ways.
• The Kindebach program is Very Affordable!!
• It can be used over and over again with all your children!!!

 
The kids really enjoyed the Kinderbach program, especially Computer Girl (7 yrs old).  She really loved the characters, specifically Dotti the Donkey.  She thought he was really cute :  )  Computer Girl actually made a donkey craft in Sunday School last Sunday and when she was getting into our van she said "Look Mom, it's Dotti."  So the program it stilling with her.  She is not playing Beethoven or Bach yet, but we're hopeful.  ;  )

There are 2 ways that your family can enjoy Kinderbach.  You can order the DVD's, which would be my preference or you can have a monthly membership.  The Activity Packages (DVD & Activities Pages) are currently $40.45 but there are also Value Packages that are available for $55.95 and up.  Online memberships are also available for $19.99 a month or for $95.88 for the year.

May I suggest that you try before you buy, Kinderbach offered a Free Online Trial. 


Please take a peek at what other Homeschool Mom's, from the TOS Crew, think about Kinderbach.

Please note that we were given the Kinderbach Online Membership for review purposes only.  The opinions stated here are my own.

Menu Plan Monday 3/4/11

Did I tell you guys that I am trying to do my major shopping every 2 weeks.  I still need to get fresh fruits, veggies and some dairy on a weekly basis though.  Grocery shopping is not exactly my favorite chore, ya know what I am sayin'.

There was a season that I had my groceries delivered, oh how I miss those days.  I am pretty excited that I can usually get in and out of trader Joe's in 30 minutes flat, when I am by myself of course. 

Anyone else do biweekly or monthly shopping?
Here is my eattin' plan for the week:

Monday
Meatloaf, Mashed Taters and Green Beans - Not sure if I will make this one or this one here.  Has anyone tried either? 

Tuesday
Breakfast Night -   Thinking about making some Omelets with Chicken Sausage, Veggies and Cheese

Wednesday
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup with Steamed Broccoli

Thursday
Slow Cooker Loose Meat Sandwiches with Fries and Steamed Carrots - The Hub's says these sandwiches are the Biggity Bomb and that's a quote!

Friday
Pizza, of course!

Saturday
Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Corn - I got this recipe from my auntyears ago and it has been a family favorite ever since.  This is great to make when company's comin'.

Sunday
Spaghetti with Salad and Italian Bread


Do you have a new favorite recieps to share?

More Like Jesus I Would Be

by Fanny Crosby

More like Jesus would I be, let my Savior dwell with me;
Fill my soul with peace and love—make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go, pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be; let my Savior dwell in me.

If He hears the raven’s cry, if His ever watchful eye
Marks the sparrows when they fall, surely He will hear my call:
He will teach me how to live, all my sinful thoughts forgive;
Pure in heart I still would be—let my Savior dwell in me.

More like Jesus when I pray, more like Jesus day by day,
May I rest me by His side, where the tranquil waters glide.
Born of Him through grace renewed, by His love my will subdued,
Rich in faith I still would be—let my Savior dwell in me.


I read this hymn the other day in a book I am reading and I knew it was my hymn for the week  ; ) I so long to be More Like Jesus!

You can hear More Like Jesus I Would Be HERE.

Saturday Solutions:Shoe Baskets

When you have more than a child or two, shoes can over run ones home.  When my kids come in the house I like them to put there shoes away instead of them ending up all over the house.   I have 3 dogs and a 2 year old that I trip over, I do not want to add shoes to the list.  Just sayin' : )

I have come to two conclusions about kids shoes.  1) They need to have a home and 2) I do not like running up and down the stairs for shoes every time we are leaving the house or the kids are going outside. 

My solution, The Shoe Basket.  Several years back I started placing a basket by the entryway to corral all the kid's shoes.  As the kids kept a comin' so did the shoes.  Our one basket has grown to be 4 stackable Sterilite containers.

Each child has a basket of their very own and puts their shoes away when they come in, of course sometimes I have to remind them.  Even Little Bits (2) knows that his shoes go in his basket. 

I like these containers for several reasons:

• They are VERY sturdy!
• They are STACKABLE.  This allows me to have 4 with out taking up too much real estate in the house.
• The are ROOMY!  Because the containers are such a nice size the kids can fit their sneakers, flip flops, church shoes, etc. 
• They are affordable.  At around $9 each (from Amazon) they won't break the bank.

We also have a wicker basket in our laundry room for their back yard shoes,  snow/rain boots and all the mud that comes with them : )