Since we spent all last week at the lake with my family, the kids and I didn’t do our summer travel plan. What does that mean? It means you get my menu plan this week.

I’m planning to go back to posting my menu each week anyway as soon as the kids get back into school. I figured I might as well get a head start this week.

Even after being away from home all last week and needing to do some grocery shopping, I’m hoping to pull off these meals this week. Also a couple of recipes this week are experimental. I’m trying to make a few of our favorites a little more healthy. I guess we’ll see how that goes

Here’s whats cooking this week:

~Breakfasts~

• Sunday - Pancakes (still at the lake)
• Monday - Baked Oatmeal
• Tuesday - Breakfast Burritos
• Wednesday - Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Pancakes, Turkey Bacon
• Thursday - Cinnamon Swirl Bread French Toast
• Friday - Bacon & Egg Sandwiches
• Saturday - Homemade Waffles, Fresh Fruit

~Dinners~

• Sunday - No real plan (Just got back into town….snacks & fruit)
  
• Monday - Slow-cooker Beef Stew
• Tuesday - Chicken & Dumplings
• Wednesday - Lasagna Casserole
• Thursday - Waffle Sandwiches (I’m using homemade waffles.)
• Friday - Greek Gyros (I’m still looking for a good recipe. You got one?)
• Saturday - Homemade Macaroni & Cheese, Mini Meat Loaves, Corn

Lunches usually consist of leftovers from the night before, or grilled cheese quesadillas on whole wheat tortillas, fruit, and other quick fix foods.

I’m so glad to be back home and to get back into a normal routine again, even if it’s for only one week. My babies are going back to school next week, so we’ll be having to find a new normal and a new routine all over again.

What’s on your menu this week?

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu ideas and inspiration.

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Today, I thought I’d post a little differently than I normally do. Instead of telling you all about our exciting week at the lake with my parents, I’m going to show you.

I’m so blessed to be able spend quality time with my parents and for my kids to be able to create memories with them that they’ll cherish always.

Unfortunately, due to work, my husband could not come until today, so you’ll see that he is missing from the photos.

Let the photos begin….

Jumping….

Playing….

Eating chocolate ice cream….Yum!!

Eating more chocolate ice cream…Double Yum!!

Relaxing with Grannie….

Hanging on for life on the Bandwagon with Mom (aka Me!)….

Fun times! Fun times!

This post is linked to Finer Things Friday.

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Well, we have roared though another week. Get it?? Roared…like a lion. Okay, never mind. I thought it was pretty cute.

Since we’re on the subject of lions, some of our favorite animals live in Africa….lions, giraffes, zebras…. I’ve found that our library has some wonderful animal books for young children.

Oh, who am I kidding?!? I enjoyed reading and learning about the animals of Africa as much as the kids.

Although our country was Madagascar, we basically used the whole continent of Africa as our theme for the week. I couldn’t really find much specifically centered around Madagascar, except of the movie.

We Read:

Lions

Giraffes

When Africa Was Home

Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa

We Made:

African Drums

Seriously, Brooke??? The pencils were for playing the drum, not sticking them up your nose….

Making the Drum:

To make the drums, we used coffee cans with the lids removed. I found some vinyl-like material at our craft store and duck taped it tightly over the opening of the can. Then using clear tape we taped construction paper all around the outside of the can. Lastly, I let the kids just decorate by gluing on shapes or drawing whatever they wanted on the drums.

Paper Plate Lions

If it involves paint, the kids are all in. They said this was their favorite activity of the week. We did come back later and attach crafts sticks to the backs of the plates, so they could hold their lions and play with them easier.

We Ate:

Taglarina

Ooo…look at all that ooey, gooey cheddar cheese! This week was easy when it came to deciding what to cook. We’ve been enjoying this African casserole for years. You’re gonna wanna try this one!

We Watched:

Madagascar

Of course!! What else would we watch for our week on Madagascar!?! I just wish I had thought to get Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa from Netflix before the end of the week, so we could have watched it too. Have you seen it? If so, how was it?

Well, folks it looks like we’re only going to have one more week of travels before school starts back. The kids and I are out of town right now (for real ), so we’re skipping our travel fun this week.

However, I’m super excited about next week’s plan because it’s a country I have actually visited. I saved it for last, because I know it will be fun to share my firsthand, real-life experiences with the kids.

We’re taking a trip to Greece!!

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