Thursday, October 05, 2006

What's for Dinner?

We have a fun neighborhood with lots of friends to ride bikes with and fun parks to hang out at. But each night for the last few weeks I have had to be the mean mom and tell Sydney that, NO, she cannot eat at Rebekah's house tonight. And, NO, Rebekah can't eat over here. This has caused a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

That, and the fact that the minute the kids come in the door from school they are ready to head out and play until the sun goes down, has been making me crazy. I want the kids to be able to play with their friends, but I feel like being home is important too. So we have been discussing this, and we have tried to set some guidelines.

Rule #1 is that we take care of our backpacks, have a snack, practice the piano, and just stay home until 4:00pm. Then we can play until 5 or 5:30pm. But NOT after dinner. Even if the sun is still out. You CAN play in our yard with your own brother and sisters.

Rule #2 is that we have to PLAN a little before having a friend over to eat. If, when you ask if a friend can eat over, you lay on the ground and start thrashing about, it is an automatic NO!

On Monday, Sydney asked if Rebekah could eat over. Monday is Family Home Evening, and also piano lessons, so I was serving Toasted Cheese Sandwiches. I said NO. Syndey did not cry or storm out of the room, so we were able to (happily) plan a day that we could invite the Rebekahs' (there are 2) over for dinner.

We decided Thursday night would be a good time, as there is no school on Friday. Then we planned a menu - Ravioli (no sauce for Sydney, but white sauce available for the rest of us,) broccoli, Spice Girl Bread, and cookies. Sydney is going to cook dinner, and she will also make a name tag for each seat (Sydney's favorite thing.) I think this will be fun!


Our menu for the weekend is:

Thursday - Ravioli

Friday - Squadron potluck, I will be making Chicken Noodle Soup

Saturday - STEAK! Ree at Confessions of a Pioneer Woman posted directions with pictures. I think I can do this. I am a steak failure, but I am willing to try again.

Sunday - Fajitas with leftover steak

Monday - going on a picnic lunch, I don't know what to have for dinner....needs to be quick and easy as we may not get home until late. Any ideas?



What's for dinner at your house?

7 comments:

Deanne said...

Ideas for a Monday night dinner??? Hmmm, how about a crock pot meal? Gotta love the crock pot!

D

Anonymous said...

Wow, those steaks on the Pioneer lady's site look so good. I'll have to give that a go sometime.

I'm not sure what's for dinner tonight here. I need to consult my meal ideas list.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I forgot to mention how hilarious your rule is about flailing on the floor after asking if someone can come to dinner.

Deanne said...

I made the breadsticks this evening. Fabulous!!! I wonder if they'd be good with sugar and cinnamon instead of garlic and cheese.......ever try it that way? Hmmm...I'll have to check it out! : )

wendy said...

Hey Deanne, I'm glad the breadsticks worked for you. I've never tried them with cinnamon/sugar, but Heather says they are yummy!

Anonymous said...

We call "Sugar and Spice Girl Breadsticks". Yum, haven't made those in a while! I love when the weather cools, I start baking again!

Heather

Anonymous said...

that's great!

Dinner has become such an issue since we discovered I'm allergic to milk - no more cheese? I think I'm going to go nuts!