Catching up in pictures, and meal plan

I have very little brain power today, since I am sick with a bad cold and we've had a crazy busy weekend so far.  So no promises of eloquent prose here, but I thought I'd pop in and share some pictures from our last few weeks, plus the meal plan.

P.S. Happy Mother's Day, Mamas!  The only free time we had together in this weekend was yesterday afternoon/evening, and we had thought about maybe going out to dinner together, but I came home from C's dance competition completely exhausted and feverish, with a splitting headache, runny nose and sore throat.  So... M did the mountain of dishes in the kitchen like the Husband of the Year that he is while I laid in bed, then he made waffles for dinner and we all snuggled and watched Back to the Future III.  Best Mother's Day ever?  I think so.

I guess I'll start with sharing pics of C's dance competition, since I was just talking about that.  Like my stream-of-consciousness segue there?  That's how the ol' brain is working today.

So, speaking of the ol' brain working (or not) we left for C's dance competition at about 7:30 yesterday morning, and we were 5 minutes from the venue when I realized I had forgotten her costume at home (we live about 45-50 minutes away).  There wasn't time for me to turn around and get it, so I had to frantically call M, frantically arrange for Auntie Bethie to pick up N from her soccer game (that's where M was at the time) and frantically tell him that he had to get the costume and get in the car and start driving NOW.  He made it to the dance competition about 15 minutes before C was scheduled to dance.  Talk about streeeeessssssfulllllll... gah!

But he made it, we did it, it all worked out, and she marched on stage after quickly changing with absolutely NO fear, and went on to win third place in the small group category!!!

Her teammates and teachers are way cool.

Miss J came with me and C to the competition, since Dad was doing soccer game and birthday party with the other two girls at home (in between an emergency trips to deliver costumes, of course).  She was pretty patient the entire morning, despite being on Day 3 of missed nap.  Within 30 seconds of pulling out of the parking lot, this is what happened:

She's a trooper, that one.  It's exhausting to keep up with those big sisters, but would she miss a moment of it? Never.

So yeah, soccer, soccer, birthday parties, soccer, yada yada...

(goalie)

(cousin James joined Auntie Bethie picking up N from her soccer game... not a bad deal, in N's opinion)

(sideline shenanigans with sisters)

Oh, and earlier this week was J's preschool orientation.

Wait, what?!?!

How is she old enough to start PRESCHOOL in the fall???

She had a blast, impressed all the teachers with her mad skillz, and pretty much showed us all how ready she is, despite the fact that she will only just be turning 3 in September.  Keeping up with the big sisters, like I tell you.

The week's other activities for Miss J included consuming lots of avocado carob cookies

...and falling asleep on the floor twice, when she was sick.

...and mastering the rings in gymnastics class.

Wow, lots of things going on with these growing girls!!

Here's our meal plan for the week:

~Breakfasts~

veggie scramble

Oatmeal bake

Cereal

Eggs

Waffles with fruit

~Lunches~

Tuna over greens or with chips

Salads

Sandwiches

Quesadillas

~Dinners~

salmon over caesar salad

bbq pork ribs with potatoes and broccoli

bean burritos

Brinner

broccoli slaw egg rolls with peanut sauce for dipping

~Snacks~

veggies and hummus

fresh fruits

cliff bars

almonds

tortilla chips and salsa