Menu Monday–ish

 

Weekend highlights-

We had a fun, exciting and jam-packed weekend!  We were in East Palatka all weekend celebrating my Nana’s 86th birthday.  We drove up Saturday morning and had two full days of fun with lots of new tricks from the little guy.

 

Everett had been taking many sequences of steps the last week and a half, but Mike and I were hesitant to actually say he was walking since he couldn’t stand up by himself. He still needed to pull up on something and then take steps (which were still very wobbly at best).  Well, that all changed Saturday.  After our picnic on the porch, we let him roam around the yard (no shoes of course…just like a little country bumpkin).

He loved the grass and within probably 30 minutes, he taught himself how to stand up on his own.  It was so cool to watch.  By the end of the afternoon he was a pro and walking everywhere!

 

 

He loved playing with grapefruit as well.  Mike and Nana were harvesting some from her tree and E loved picking up the small ones, throwing them and then going to pick them up and starting all over again.  He was fetching his own throws and kept himself busy for a while. 

 

After a water break (the kid had literally never had that much exercise in his life) we had fun with some family pics.

 

 

Then it was more walking…which actually starting turning into running.  He had a BLAST and the weather was absolutely perfect.  Best day ever.

 

 

E even got some loving my Aunt Dawnie and Uncle Clay as well as Cousin Justin.  Isn’t it a shame that nobody loves him!?! 

 

Sunday started off with a 4 mile run for Mike and me while Gransie watched E.  It was so nice to not have to push a stroller up the bridge and we actually recorded our fastest time in a while – we were really just trying to beat the rain!

River running is always an adventure!

 

 

After our run, we were treated to a feast in honor of Nana’s Birthday.  My mom made roasted pork loin, broccoli casserole, harvest apples, wild rice with mushrooms, gravy and rolls.  It was all delish, but the strawberry trifle took the cake (ha, ha).  Hands down, yummy.

 

 

We headed home around E’s bedtime and he was exhausted.  He fell asleep within about 5 minutes and slept the whole way and went right down in his crib when we got home.  He’s a trooper.

 

 

As for this week we are back to normal and logging more training miles before our next race in a few weeks.  We have a yummy menu planned and hopefully great weather to play in.  Have a great and delicious week wherever you are!

 

M:  BBQ Chicken Pizza

T:  Egg Salad Sandwiches w/ Carrots

W:  Grilled Pork Chops w/ Tomato Chutney and Mushroom Cous Cous

Th:  Chicken Noodle Soup

F:  Baked Ziti w/ Chopped Salad

Sa:  Steak Salad

Su: Turkey and Cranberry Paninis w/ Sweet Potato Fries

 

PS---

A very special congratulations to our friends Jenny and Jeremy whom you hear about quite often on the blog.  Their son, Carson was born late last night and is so handsome and healthy.  We are so excited to welcome him to the world and can’t wait to meet the little dude – he already looks like he’s ready for a good time!  Congrats JD2!!!

Carson Michael Dawkins

2/24/14   10:44 pm

7 lbs. 2 oz  19 3/4 in.

Menu Wednesday

 

Hi all!  So sorry this is late (seems to be late more than on time these days) but better late than never!

Weekend recap -

Friday night:

After getting up early Friday morning to slap together a onesie for E to wear for Valentine’s day (thank goodness I had extra fabric and a sewing machine) we spent Friday afternoon/night feeling the love and having a nice night in.

There’s nothing that says Valentine’s day like an afternoon family stroll, homemade chicken marsala and the Olympics.  It was perfect.

 

Saturday -

Mike was up early on Saturday to head to the 13th Annual Wetlands Festival hosted by The City of Orlando.  He is on the Wetlands planning committee and his department plays a big role in putting on the festival every year.

While Mike was busy with that, Everett and I headed to meet his girlfriend, Kennedy, and her parents (our friends) Jill and Ryan for a musical performance by Mr. Richard at Barnes and Noble.  The place was packed and E and K had a great time just looking around (and at each other)!

 

 

After our kiddie concert we headed for an early lunch and playtime.  Although Kennedy and Everett are still a bit small for the play area, they had fun just standing, crawling, and climbing.

 

EVerett was listening carefully to “the baby date rules” given to him by Kennedy’s dad.  Luckily he was a gentleman and even shared some of his peanut butter sandwich with K.

 

 

Once we returned home we had a little bit of play time mixed in with some walking practice!  It is still so weird to see him toddle around!  He can’t quite get up by himself, but once he pulls up he is getting better and better each day at taking more and more steps!  I love watching little ones learn new skills – so exciting to see their growth!

 

 

After meeting up with Mike at our friends’ house, he took over E duty and I headed to my school’s Diamonds and Denim Gala.  This is one of our major fundraisers of the year and was a lot of fun.  Good people, good food (and drinks) and good times.

 

 

Sunday -

After getting to sleep in until 7am (thanks Everett!) We had a yummy family breakfast (my new favorite thing) before heading out for our weekend training run.

 

 

It was pears, cantaloupe, mango, avocado, eggs and potatoes for the little guy.  He’s just like his father with a big and healthy appetite!  The kid just loves to eat!

 

 

After breakfast it was a great 6 miler (the weather was absolutely GORGEOUS) followed by a chocolate banana smoothie.  Perfect combo.

 

 

After a family naptime we headed to check out some new prescription sunglasses for Mike.  He can’t live without them and since he “misplaced” his old ones (which is so not like him – he’s still so mad) we had to go order some new.  The boys didn’t seem to have as much fun as I did!

 

 

I have always wanted a pair of glasses.  When I was little I can remember buying frames with clear glass in them to pretend that I had glasses (weird-o, I know).  So it’s no surprise that I had a blast trying on all kinds of frames.  Luckily, I don’t need glasses – so I won’t press my luck, but I did have fun pretending!

 

 

As for this week…it’s already half over!  More of the same…busy at work and busy at home.  We are headed to my mom’s this weekend to celebrate my Nana’s birthday which was yesterday.  Everett hasn’t been up that way since Thanksgiving, so the fam is excited to see his growth.

As for our grub – here’s the plan---

 

M:  Spaghetti w/ Spinach Meatballs

T:  Roast Beef Paninis w/ (leftover) Chili

W:  Bean Quesadillas w/ Veggie Yellow Rice

Th:  Leftovers

F:  Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Baked Potatoes w/ Chopped Salad

Sa:  East Palatka

Su:  BBQ Chicken Pizza

 

Have a great week!