Meal Plan Monday - Back to School

Aside from waking up to the pouring down rain and our neighboring campers' car alarm going off repeatedly from 5:55a.m. to about 7:30a.m. on our last day (Sunday), our camping trip was wonderful.  Unfortunately we had to break camp in the rain.  I'm not sure about the other families, but we still have wet belongings drying all over the house.  The tent is going to need some serious silicone spray to be ready for our first Cub Scout camp out in 6 weeks.

The 7 year old and I rented a tandem kayak for an hour and boated around the lake.  He rode his bike constantly around the campground, enjoying the freedom of being on the road and us not fretting about him - too much.

I made chicken gyros for supper on my night to cook that went over very well aside from the pita bread being too stiff and kind of falling apart.  We ended up just tearing it in half and making sandwich like creations to hold our stuffing.  (If anyone has a pita bread brand recommendation, I would love one!  Both brands I've tried have been disappointing.)

One of the families made a vegetable tikka masala that was so delicious I could have eaten the whole pot!  My best friend got out of cooking her traditional end of camp pancakes because of the rain.  Instead, she and her husband treated us all to breakfast at the state park's restaurant.  (I'd have rather had her pancakes, but my veggie omelet was good).

Today marks the first day of second grade for the 7 year old.  I'm not sure when he got so big!  He's very excited about going back to school and mentioned how happy he will be to see his music teacher tomorrow. He loves music and art.  I think I'm ready for summer to be over, even though it seemed so short.  It will mean less time during the afternoons, as I keep another boy after school a few days a week during the school year.  But we were so busy this summer and the 7 year old was gone so much, it will be nice to get back to a routine.

This week, I'll be making some old favorites to help us ease the transition.  No new recipes this week, and no meals out.  We ate fast food on the way home from our camping trip.

Sunday - Sandwiches and/or Leftovers

Monday - Chicken Bundles, Green Beans, Salad
One of the 7 year old's favorites for the first day of school.  I'm also taking him for ice cream after I pick him up.

Tuesday - Pasta au Gratin with Vegetables, Salad
I have some zucchini and eggplant to use up and we haven't had this in a while.

Wednesday - Hamburger Helper, Salad
Yes, from a box.  My mother-in-law sent the 7 year old home with three boxes of the stuff to go with the three boxes already in my pantry.  She thinks she's helping.

Thursday - Pinto Beans with Ham, Cornbread
I realized the other day that I have a 5 pound bag of pinto beans I need to start using up.  Besides, it's starting to get to be about the time of year to make soups, stews and chilis again.  I start my second job this day and won't be getting home until 5:15.  Having the beans ready to go in the slow cooker will make dinner prep so much easier!

Friday - Chicken Santa Fe, Yellow Rice
This will make my husband very happy, and it's ridiculously easy to make.

Saturday - Chicken Spaghetti, Green Beans
One of my favorites.  I've been wanting this for a couple weeks now.