Getting back to myself

Warning: I've got a lot to say today.

I figure I've had eight weeks since the latest member of our family joined us, it's time to get this place, and myself, in order. I've been gearing up all week to start fresh today. I have a few improvements to make around here and this seemed like as good a time as any to implement them.

These are my "motivation frogs," so kindly sent to me by my father... yes, it was definately some kind of hint!

1. I'll make this one brief as it's much more for me than any of you. I'm resolving to be a bit more faithful with the physical activities that are going to help me feel better that swimsuit season is just about here. Thanks to Jaime, I have a good routine that I can do here at home without having to find time or money for a gym. She was fantastic motivation for me to stay in shape while we lived in NY- we enjoyed many semesters of "body scupting," lots of running, weights and did I mention running?? She was my personal pilates trainer post-Cooper and I miss her like crazy right now! She put together a few home-workouts for me a while ago, and it's time to pull them out! These workouts combined with our daily walks and a few morning runs are the goals for this week. I simply spend too much time in a swimming suit between april and september to feel crummy wearing one, so while my physical health will benefit from exercising, it's more for my emotional self.

2. Mealtimes. The lowdown: We love Denten and we would love to eat with Denten, but the truth is that happens maybe twice a week and that's usually on the weekends. Seeing as feeding Beckham and Seneca thus far has taken time, but very little thought, the only one I have to think about feeding is Cooper and no, he does not get a gourmet dinner each evening. He gets whatever I can throw together once 6:00 p.m. rolls around. Because nothing is planned, I haven't been eating well and Denten comes home to who knows what on any given night.

The goal: to actually make dinner each evening and eat with Cooper at the table. Coop has his "spot" at the bar, but it's just not cutting it for me anymore. I grew up eating dinner together as a family each evening and I valued those times together. I still remember them, mostly for the fact that we were all together and engaged in great conversation. I have avoided that in my own home thinking that it didn't matter much seeing as Denten isn't really home for dinner and it wasn't worth the effort for just Coop and I, but I was mistaken. It's not fair for me to expect Cooper to use good manners if he doesn't see them modeled properly on a regular basis. He needs to learn to set the table correctly, try new foods and behave well during mealtime. I need to learn to be patient as his focus is not always centered on his food, take time to talk with him instead of eating while in front of the TV or computer( I'm a good multi-tasker, remember?). Anyway, we've tried this a few times lately, and while it takes a little more planning, it's so much more fulfilling, both to create something in the kitchen with him and to sit down and enjoy it together. And on those rare occasions that Dad's home for dinner, then lucky him... there's actually something to eat!

So... taking a page from Emily, I've planned my dinners for the week, shopped and am ready to go! Not everything is gourmet, but keeping things simple is what's going to make this stick! And without trying, I've also imitated Taisey's new recipe week as most of what we are trying this week is new to us.

Last night's dinner included:

Brown Sugar Steak (Dent liked the marinade, but using it as a sauce was a bit mustardy for his taste, Cooper ate A TON of this meat!)
Parmesan-Scalloped Potato Gratin (recipe coming soon, so delicious!)
Broiled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Mascarpone (Dent really liked these, the prosciutto was a little strong for me, but I cooked them a bit too long.)

Tonight we're having crock pot tacos, and except for some guac we'll whip up later, dinner is already on its way!

Things go so much better during the evenings if Cooper is helping me get dinner together than when I'm constantly asking him to find something to do... it's fun to have him help and he loves to eat his own creations! The terrible mother in me did not remember today was St. Patrick's Day until Denten pinched me in bed this morning.. not kind. Anyway, despite the lack of festivities going on here today, we did create some green eggs and ham for breakfast!





He ate every bite!

3. Yeah, there's one more. That daily housekeeping schedule of mine that flew out the window a while ago has returned. Saturday is a great catch-up day, but things pile up too much around here if I leave it all for the weekend. Therefore, we're back to a chore a day to stay on top of the mess living with us.

So that's where we're at folks, looking forward to lovely dinners together, a little sweaty activity and getting this house whipped into shape! Whew, sorry this was so long, but you were warned! Now off to do those floors before these babies wake up!