Menu for the week

Here is our menu for the week.  I did it quickly.  Didn't worry to much about the weekends in this menu. Maybe next time.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Breakfast	Oatmeal, Spiced apple, milk	Cheerio's, milk, Bananas	Banana Bread, Apple, Milk	Scrambled eggs, toast, apple sauce, milk	French toast, Orange slices, milk	Bird nest, Fruit, milk	Cin toast, orange slices
Snack	Yogurt, peaches	cottage cheese, peaches	grapes, sharks	Hard boiled eggs, orange slices	home made pretzels, yogurt
Lunch	fish sticks, carrots, apple sauce, wheat thins,	grilled cheese, whole wheat bread, tomato soup grapes	Mc d's	hot dogs, bun, pork N beans	Meatballs, Whole wheat spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, salad.
Snack	refried beans, wheat thins	cheese fries	cheese sticks, crackers	veggies slices, hummus	tuna, crackers
Dinner	stuffed chicken left overs, salad,	Brisket, salad, Jell-O with fruit	Peanut Butter and Jelly	Burritos. Guc,	Left Overs
Snack	pop corn	Cheerio's, milk,	yogurt	popcorn	cheerio's

I also have to figure out how to make it fit better,  

Taco Bowl

 The kids think these are so cute. I just took tortillas, heated them in the microwave between moist paper towels.  So they were more pliable. I then formed them in the largest muffin pan I had.  Don't forget to spray the pan with cooking spray. I spray the shells too and sprinkle a little salt on them.  Put them in the oven 350 for about 10 mins.  Check them if they are golden brown they are ready.    Just add your filling and serve.

Family Traditions

As we begin the holiday seasons. I thought I would post the family traditions we have acquired. My first year as a mom I searched for things that I would like as family traditions and was worried we would have none if I didn't get them all lined up and started them his first year. I remember worrying about that when we got married to, but changed when we had kids.

Since then I have learned they just happen and some years they just don't happen, but they are still traditions. We seem to have traditions most of them in the fall and winter then in the spring and summer. Is that same for you?

I am going post a series of our family traditions. I hope you will join me and post yours.

• Banana Bread

Family Traditions: Banana Bread

Every year my mom would make breads, Banana Bread was one of them that we have turned into a tradition to bake at Christmas time. Christmas Eve or around then we make many loafs using the little loaf pans usually. Unless I know there is a big family, then we use the bigger ones. Together we make a list of the people we want to give them to, we give to all the neighbors on our block and then friends that are close. But it started with just neighbors.

We wrap them in foil and sometime a holiday gift bag and add a Christmas Card or a note that C made. ( It will be fun this year to see R get in on the action) I like to drop them off on Christmas Eve but sometimes we are too busy, so planning is helpful. We load all the bags in the car and head out.

When dropping off we don't stay or even go in. We just say Wishing You a Merry Christmas or just a simple Merry Christmas. If we have something more to say we add in the card as this is a busy time for everyone.

So here is the recipe my mom gave me. I am not really sure where it came from. My guess would be a Betty Crocker Cook Book from years ago.

Banana Bread

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup ( 2 med) mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cups nuts (optional if you don't know about allergies leave out)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

What to do :

• Preheat oven 350.
• Grease bottom of loaf pan
• In a large bowl blend the first 6 ingredients for 1 minute on medium speed
• Stir in the rest of ingredients until dry ingredients are moistened
• Pour batter in to loaf pans
• Bake for about an hour (check in center with toothpick if it comes out clean you are good to go)
• Cool for about 5 minutes and remove from pan

I line them up on cooling racks.

This makes one of the larger loaf pans.

This is a great family tradition since it is simple, inexpensive and meaningful.

What kinds of family traditions do you have or remember from childhood?

Montessori Beginnings- Rolling dough

With these warm days. We have been spending the mornings outside and afternoons inside. We decided to make cookies. I had a box of Funfetti cake mix. C had a friend over who suggested we make cookies. I have never made Funfetti cookies, it was easy and we will do again.

We make the dough. Recipe is on the side of the box.

As you know I have been a having a difficult time with working with each age group. Making cookies went great. Everyone was rolling their dough by themselves.

Look how proud she is that she can do it.

They never seem to do it play dough. Maybe this worked because there is a purpose.

Each of us took turns flattening the balls. She was concentrating so hard as she did it.

Cookies came out YUMMY. They frosted them with star sprinkles.

Making It Monday

We are going to start a new tradition. Mondays are going to be days we bake something. C and I have always baked, he really enjoys it. The others would like to. Today we made a blueberry muffins from a box. We made them in mini tins. We will be making homemade and I will post the recipes. Got any good ones post it. Thanks!!!!