Menu Plan Monday

Well, It's been about a month since I did a menu plan... and I can honestly say the panic I get when I realize it's dinner time and I don't have a clue what is in the pantry is NO GOOD!!  I like the challenge of coming up with a meal with random ingredients...and being creative in the kitchen... However, doing that at the last minute with 3 hungry kids hanging on my ankles and following my every step is a little more than I can handle. So I'm back to Menu Planning... I love being organized... it keeps me sane! :)

We have quite a busy week this week, so I hope you aren't expecting anything gourmet.  Actually we will be having quite a bit of processed food.. and junk, but I promise to get back to good cooking  and getting back on top of things next week!!

Monday:
Spaghetti, Cesar Salad, Bread

Tuesday: DATE NIGHT!! I CAN'T WAIT
B: Oatmeal Bars
L: Crackers and Cheese, Fruit, Juice
D: Hot dogs, Chips, Fruit Salad

Wednesday: 1st Wednesday at BAF
B:Cinnamon Rolls
L: LO Hot dogs, Chips, Fruit
D: Chicken Nuggets, Cheese Sticks, Apples

Thursday: Crusaders BBall Game, Coop
B: Cereal
L: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, pretzels
D: Hamburgers and Tater tots

Friday: Upwards BBall Practice
B:Cereal
L: PB&J, Cheetos, grapes
D: Crock pot BBQ Chicken, Salad, Rolls

Saturday: Family Movie Night (One of the best parts of our week)
B: Granola Bars, Juice
L: Nachos, Veggie Dippers, fruit
D: Monkey Bread & Eggs

Sunday: SUPER BOWL!!!
B: Bananas and milk
L: Out
D: Pizza, Hot wings, snacks....


I know your arteries are probably clogging up just reading this...  it's almost too embarrassing to post, but it is the reality of this week. Hope you have a great one!

I think I need a bigger Kitchen...

Just 4 short years ago, we moved into this South Texas Home. At the time we had a 2 year old, and a newborn.  I can recall so many days, washing dishes, cooking dinner, and enjoying William playing at my feet, while Cade sat cooing away in his bouncy seat on the kitchen table.  Well... needless to say 4 years later, our dear two year old has grown into a 6 year old and with two more brothers right on his tail at 4 and 2 1/2, and a large furry family member, also known as, Sally, that same kitchen floor has been filled up!  Most of my time in the kitchen is spent chasing someone out, because there just isn't room for 5 warm bodies in this space... I have to admit, I love that they all love to spend time in the kitchen, and be near each other and me when I'm working!  

Wordless Wednesday

Brennan, November 17, 2011

Happy Birthday Cade and William!!

Well, it's official!  I can't stop them from growing!! Over the last week we celebrated and celebrated and then celebrated a little more! William and Cade just keep getting older on us!

A few years ago, we decided not to really do big birthday parties. We usually go out to eat(birthday kid pics) and then home for cake and gifts.  This year we had a special surprise and Granny and Papa decided to join the fun so we celebrated a joint birthday the weekend before at non other than CHUCK E CHEESE! 

So here they are...

The sweetest 4 yr old I have ever seen!!! CADE!!

and...

The silliest 6 yr old!!! WILLIAM!!!

We had a great time, and fully enjoyed the time with Michael's Parents... Sorry no pics :)

Birthday Round 2:

Monday January 3rd was Cade's actual birthday so off for more pizza we went! Cici's was a hit and so was the ridiculously decorates "Super Hero Squad" Cake that I managed to mess up... Thankfully he didn't really care as long as the toys were on top!

On January 7th, William turned 6 yrs old... His dinner of Choice Shrimp and Noodles... so we headed to a Chinese Buffet.  All in all he loved the red jello best. :) I think this pic is just too funny!

 Cade and Brennan enjoying the nights events. Brennan had egg drop soup all over his shirt, but man he loved that soup!

 And Home for Lego Star Wars, Chocolate Ice cream Pie!! So delicious, and look how happy William is!

It is such a privilege to be the mother to these amazing boys. Although they can be rowdy, loud, and there is constant competition in our household... I can't image it any other way. The bond these three brothers share is so special, and Michael and I are so blessed to have the opportunity of raising them!  Happy Birthday Cade and William! I love you!

Clarkson Christmas 2010 - Muleshoe

After our time in Fort Worth with the Caldwell's we headed to West Texas to my hometown for a little time with my family.  This was the first time in three years that my family and my brothers and their families have all been together, so it was pretty special.

Below is Memaw and Grandad (my parents) with all 8 grandsons. From L to R (Back): Colton and Wesley (Front): William, Taylor, Grandad, Brennan, Taylor, Cade, Memaw, and Trey

Memaw and Grandad playing Santa.  They had such a great time.

The boys Roasting marshmallows with Granddad's new Gift.

And last but defiantly not least, we got to spend some much needed time with my grandparents! Here are all the boys with Great Grandma and Great Grandad Hawkins.  We love them so much and I absolutely love to watch them laugh at all the funny little boys in the family! :)

On our way home, we decided to break up the 10 hour drive with some sweet time. So we had some of this....

And a little of this....

and some of this.... (This pic cracks me up)

We made it home and have now had time to celebrate two birthdays (Cade and William)... Posts coming soon!! :)

Caldwell Christmas 2010 - Great Wolf Lodge

This year for Christmas, my in-laws, treated the whole family to a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge! Which means 14 of my favorite people for two days of fun and adventure! If you have never been, you should plan to go... it was our first time, but hopefully not our last! We had so much fun... Great Wolf Lodge is equipped with an indoor water park, interactive video game/scavenger hunt(through the entire hotel), restaurants, and "log cabin" area complete with bunk beds in each room.  The kids loved it!!

Picture of Granny, Papa, and the 7 grand kids in the Lobby. It was beautiful!

The whole family after breakfast one morning! From L to R:  Alyssa, Aunt Kristi, Grant, Cole, Uncle Greg, William, Emily, Cade Michael, Brennan, & Me. In back L to R: Papa, Granny, & Aunt Jen.

Back to the room. And yes that is a Christmas tree!! Granny and Papa are awesome and thought of everything!

Throughout the day, you can meet at the Lobby Clock Tower and the animals come to life and sing and tell stories. Because it was Christmas they also had a snow machine that blew all over the kids watching the show, Magical!! Brennan loved the "Reindeer" :)

I didn't take my camera in the water park for obvious reasons, but this is a shot of a couple of the slides that come outside for part of the ride. I was pretty much a weeny and didn't ride much, but everyone else rode to there hearts content... the big Cone in the back is called the Tornado, I was told it was awesome by more that one family member:)

Saying farewell one of the Great Wolf statues and to our sweet family, and leaving for the next trek of Christmas 2010! 

Caldwell Christmas 2010

They boys thoroughly enjoyed getting to see Santa this year! And we got some really great family pics to put in our Santa Album!   Afterwards we spent the evening dining at Texas Roadhouse, William loved beating his Daddy at Tic Tac Toe, and Cade and Brennan filled up on Peanuts and Yummy Bread!  

We always celebrate Christmas early at our house, that way Christmas day/weekend is open to spend traveling or visiting with extended family. This year we celebrated on the 19th, and had a great time together celebrating Christ's Birthday! 

William received a Lego Police set, we spent 3 hours putting this baby together, but it was so worth it! Look at those proud faces!

Cade spent most of the day on his new Leapster Explorer... I am in love with this game system. It is so cute and has a ton of activities that are right up his alley! Sweet Cade,What a cutie!!

Brennan got More trains! We love Thomas Wooden Railway Systems!! It was such a fun Christmas for all three boys to understand the importance of the day! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday spent with family and friends! This is the beginning of ours and don't worry Grandmas and Grandpas there are more pics on the way from all the trips and traveling fun!! :)

Pretzel Candy Bites

HOLIDAY QUICK TREAT OF THE YEAR!!!

The Holidays are over... but I have to share this with you!! This was a new treat for us this year, the kids loved them and they loved to make such an easy treat "all by themselves", and share with others!

We will be making these for events year round from here on out!! Just change up the M&M colors to match the event.  Next up... SUPER BOWL! I have to warn you... you can't eat just one!

Pretzel Candy Bites

1 bag Small pretzel twists or pretzel squares
2 bags of your choice chocolate kisses or rolos
1 bag of M&M candies

1. Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees
2. Spread one layer of pretzels on a cookie sheet
3. Top each pretzel with a chocolate kiss or rolo
4. Place in oven for 3 minutes
5. Top with an M&M and carefully press down.
6. Allow to sit at room temperature until cool, or place in refrigerator for a quicker result.
7. Toss into a bowl and enjoy!!!

 The Rollo's where my favorite!! and they are so pretty and extra YUMMY!!

Menu Plan Monday: a day late and a dollar short

Well, like many of you we are back to the daily grind and trying our hardest to get back into a routine with school, work, and well... life. So here is my attempt at a normal menu after almost two weeks of goofing off. :)

Monday: Cade's 4th Birthday- His Choice
Cici's Pizza, Marvel Hero Cookie Cake

Tueday:
Chef Salad!!! I am in need of greens after all the holiday splurging

Wednesday:
Lazagnua, Salad, Green Beans, Garlic Bread

Thursday:
Leftovers

Friday: William 6th Birthday - His Choice
Cici's Pizza, Lego Star Wars Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

Saturday:  Family Movie Night
B: Muffins
L: PB&J, popcorn, & Fruit (More Salad for me)
D: Big as your Head Nacho's (you Lubbock readers will appreciate this, 50th street caboose)

Sunday:
B: Cereal
L: V8 Stew in the Crockpot
D: Small Group