The Toy Box Years: Menu Monday

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

Menu Monday

I'm getting a little frustrated with my menu planning. I know at least twice a week My Marine will be flying nights - so, I can plan a lighter meal for me and the girls. But then there's the "Honey, I'm working late tonight" phone calls that usually happen about once a week, forcing me to move a meal to another week. HOWEVER, I've found that there are some meals that I have yet to make -- new recipes to try -- that keep getting pushed back because of whatever reason.

I guess if I keep trying, I'll eventually get to make some of those meals!

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So, here's our menu for the week of 3/21

Monday - 3/21

Lunch:
Cheese & sprouts on wheat
Strawberries

Dinner:

Honey garlic chicken
Mashed potatoes
Green beans

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Tuesday - 3/22

Lunch:

Fruit & yogurt parfaits
Veggies & dip
Marshmallows

Dinner:

Nachos

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Wednesday - 3/23

Lunch:

PB and J
Pretzels
Apple slices

Dinner:

Cheese ravioli

Salad

Bread

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Thursday - 3/24

Lunch:

Berry cream cheese sandwiches
Veggies and dip
Marshmallows

Dinner:
(My Marine Gone For Weekend Mission)
Chicken nuggets
French fries
Veggie

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Friday - 3/25
(My Marine Gone For Weekend Mission)

Lunch:
Grilled cheese
Veggies and dip

Dinner:
Fish sticks
Mac and cheese
Green beans

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Saturday - 3/26
(My Marine Gone For Weekend Mission)

Lunch:
Nutella and almonds on wheat
Fruit and dip

Dinner:
(Movie Night with the girls)

Make Your Own Pizza
Jello and whipped cream

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Sunday - 3/27
(My Marine Gone For Weekend Mission)

Lunch:
Fruit and yogurt parfaits
Pretzels

Dinner:

Chicken casserole
Broccoli

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Remember to come and share your weekly menus too!

2 comments:

MaryAnne March 21, 2011 at 1:05 PM: I get that "Honey, I'm working late" call ALL the time. It really does make meal planning hard sometimes!
Christy Killoran March 21, 2011 at 1:56 PM: I always just make the meals, but my husband doesn't mind leftovers. We often eat leftovers for lunch the next day too. Is your husband opposed to leftovers?