Quick Check-In

Just a quick check-in. Busy, busy few days. 

~~ XOXO ~~

JAMZ Camp

This past weekend, Summer and I attended JAMZ Camp. This was my first experience with an actual cheerleading camp, and I have to say, I was really impressed. It was completely high energy, nonstop for 8 hours a day. The kids loved it, but boy, by Sunday afternoon they were zonked. The instructors were professional, well trained, safety conscious, and very thorough. I would send Summer to one of their camps again in a heart beat.

 Cowboys Mighty Mites Cheer

The guy in the sweatband, Chris, was our team's staff buddy, and let me tell you, boy had some serious skills. I just kind of stood there with my mouth hanging open watching him. 

The Saberbabies stunt group getting some help from Priscilla

Summer is backspotting this stunt

Throwing and Soaring Award for Stunting Excellence

Lauren teaching the Beginner Level dance

Day 2! Lauren and Keke working with the Beginner Level dance for the show

This is the camp dance that all the cheerleaders did together for the show

I don't have a lot of pictures from the second day of camp because I am a total dingaling and forgot to charge my camera the night before. I took these last two with my phone after we got home from the second day of camp. Also, I have video from the Friends and Family Show at the end of camp, but since it is likely to cause extreme motion sickness, I opted to leave it out.

Summer came away from camp with a Performance Award, the Throwing and Soaring Award, AND the JAMZ Future Starz Award, which was the highest award given to the under 12 age group. So proud of my baby girl!

Menu Plan Monday (Yes, I Know It's Tuesday)

I got started with MPM a few years ago. I'm not sure why I got away from it, probably my short attention span.... What was I saying?

Anywho, Once I get back in the wing of things with the whole sales flyer shopping and couponing thing, these menus will be a little more detailed. For now, though, I am just planning around stuff we already have and using what coupons I have to fill in the gaps. So.... here you go.

Oh, one more thing, we have cheerleading practice from 5:30-7:30 3 nights a week right now, so you will probably notice that I am using the Crock-Pot A LOT!

Breakfast (The Most Important Meal of the Day!)
Whole Grain Bagels with Cream Cheese and Jam
Whatever fruit is on sale at the Commissary this week

Lunch (What I Am Packing)
Peanut Butter Sandwiches (Ham and Cheese for Den)
Strawberries and Blueberries
Cheese Cubes
Almonds
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Water

I know that seems like a lot for a school lunch, and it is. The girlies are allowed a snack during the school day, so instead of packing some prepackaged convenience food, they can just choose something from their lunch box. I also include a cup of yogurt and an extra piece of fruit or some trail mix in Den's lunch for during the day snacking. If you are at a loss for what to pack in your kids' lunch, ESPECIALLY if you are gluten-free, check out This Lunch Rox for some great ideas.

After School Snack
Nilla Wafers and Milk
Cup of Yogurt and Orange Juice

I always offer two snack options, one from the week prior, and one new one. I try to make them something portable, since our lives are so crazy this time of year. OK, OK, I'll admit it, there is usually some kind of prepackaged or junky snacks in the pantry too, but I do try and limit those.

Dinner
Belgian Waffles with Baked Fruit and Turkey Bacon (a night week treat!)
Chicken in a Hurry, Macaroni and Cheese, and Salad
Gold Medal Ribs and Salad
Beef Enchilada Casserole and Salad
Bachelor's Roast, Glazed Carrots, and Salad
Chips and Salsa, Dr. Pepper Carnitas Tacos, Fruit, Green Salad, and Chicken Tenders for the Kids (we are having friends over for dinner on Sunday)
Leftovers (Or Pizza Hut if we don't have any leftovers)

Any links in the menu are to the online recipe to that item. I am not a terribly imaginative chef, so I tend to rely heavily on recipes. I am currently working my way through an e-cookbook for the Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker on nights that I am not using the Crock-Pot.

A note about dinner... We make every effort to sit down together every night as a family and eat and talk about our day. Once in a while, like during the Olympics or on a movie night, we will eat on trays in the living room, but even then, we still talk about our days, tell jokes, and try and unwind together as a family.

So that is our menu for the upcoming week. I grocery shop on Thursdays, so my menu ranges from Thursday to Wednesday, with Wednesday night always being a clean out the fridge smorgasbord.

School Days, School Days, Dear Ol' Golden Rule Days

It seems like the first day of school keeps getting earlier and earlier. Being on the east coast was a nice reprieve. School actually started in the fall. Back out here in the desert, the girlies' school year started on August 8th! We've been at it a week now, so I figured it was time to get these pics up on the blog.

The obligatory sisters pic (taken horizontally, you're welcome Auntie JuJu)

My big 4th grader! Ashley Worrell, please notice the pearls. She wanted to wear her pearls like Ashley!

OK, get ready for this one... my big 7th grader! That's right, junior high folks!

I know that Paige went to middle school last year, but for some reason seeing her walk in under that giant junior high sign had me tearing up. Where has the time gone?

We had to park a good quarter mile from Summer's school and walk!

Welcome to Mrs. Ayres' 4th grade class.