When it comes to parenting we all have areas that could use improvement. But this blog entry is not about my failing to remember to have Ali and Mia brush their teeth on the weekends (ewww) or about how we cram a week's worth of Ali's homework into Sunday night (what? that's how I always did it!)... This is about one of those things I consider a "strong point" when it comes to parenting the Cuties. Joe and I make it a priority to eat at home and consider nutrition when meal planning. We may not ALWAYS buy organic produce and dairy, and we do occasionally throw in a frozen Stouffer's or pizza, but I'd say most days we do a pretty darn good job. Here are some of our ideas...
One of our favorite breakfasts is Cream of Wheat with milk and brown sugar. Lots of iron. Yum.
I may have mentioned before that I have issues with cold cereal (thanks to my dear mother), so we start most of our mornings with a hot breakfast. Toast and sugar-free canned peaches. Yogurt and half a bagel. Unfrosted strawberry pop-tart and a banana. And of course - Mia's favorite - Eatmeal (Oatmeal). 
Here's a fun lunch. Monkey Sandwiches. Whole wheat hot dog bun spread with peanut butter and a banana.
I like those 100 calorie snack packs. They're quick to throw in the purse when on-the-go. They're the perfect size and the girls are happy because they get cookies. Other snacks we like are apple slices with peanut butter dip, mozzarella cheese sticks and graham crackers with milk.
We try to keep it interesting at dinner time. I have a great quick home-made lasagna recipe that we love. Lately we've enjoyed Yoshida-marinated chicken breast and rice, and Hashbrown Hot Dish ("hot dish" is what you call a "cassarole" if you're from up-north.)
We know we're saving money by eating at home and we enjoy knowing what's in our dinner! If you're interested in a recipe exchange, let me know! We're always looking for new ideas!
This post is dedicated to Miss. Shanita who fed her baby too much take-out and then wrote a really funny post about his throw-up. I hope this was helpful.
The quiet evening at home I had planned for Joe's birthday was unanimously scrapped by the Cuties - who planned (on their own, mostly) a pizza party for Daddy at their favorite cheap pizza buffet. On the day before his birthday. The plan included a balloon, a present with a yellow bow, cupcakes and lots of pizza. And Coke. They specifically asked to have Coke. And it was planned as a Surprise Party, although by the time we got Daddy to the restuarant, I doubt if there was anything left to be surprised by. ("We got you an outfit Daddy, but it's not for your birthday or anything." "We go pizza party now? (5 minutes later...) "We go pizza party now?" (5 minutes later...) You get the idea.) 
Joining us for the "surprise" was Auntie Leslie, Uncle Matt, the nephews and Tom. I think the adults ate too much pizza, the kids ate too many cupcakes, and Daddy had a rockin' good birthday.
Yep. It's a Sprinkles cupcake. You're not imagining it. And it was good. Really good. Thank you, ladies.
