My other thought is that I know going out to eat isn’t healthy and I really would like to lose about 10 pounds. I don’t want to feel all fat and flabby during swimsuit season! I tend to do it out of convenience and the fact I just want to get out of the house and go somewhere. This feeling has also led me to go to Starbucks or McDonald’s for a coffee drink in the afternoon. Even when I’m not that hungry.

So back to my question. What’s for lunch? Please share your lunchtime secrets with me. The good, the bad, and the ugly!

I’m definitely not looking forward to summer when it will be easily in the 90′s and 100′s! But before I will start worrying about that, I will enjoy the fact that the weather is about to cool off again and we will possibly have rain in a few days. I can’t wait!

My big sister has GREAT ideas!

Ok, maybe her ideas aren't that great after all!

Now I'm FREEZING Mommy!

My mom gets to come over on a regular basis and play with her grandson. She is fortunate that she doesn’t have to work right now, she lives close, and she has a significant amount of free time. Not all grandparents are blessed with this wonderful situation. Let’s be honest, not all grandparents are always welcome!

The plus for me is that I get to spend a lot of time with my mom because I get to stay home too. She can also help me watch Ryan while I do things around the house or run errands. Sometimes she also watches Ryan so that Todd and I can go out to a nice peaceful dinner. Just the two of us. {Of course we still talk about the kids though!}

It’s great having my mom around to help me out, but I also enjoy when we can just hang out in the backyard while Ryan and Charlie play, take Ryan to the park, or go and walk around the mall or neighborhood to get out of the house for a little while.

I know not every parent is lucky enough to have their mom around to help. I’m so thankful for our situation and that my mom gets to be here to spend time with her grandson while he grows up. Thanks for all you do, Mom!

Have you thanked your parents recently for all they do?

Of course, there are always the basics that I need to get. Milk, cereal, snacks for Ryan, and drinks are the no brainer weekly items. Beyond that, my mind starts spinning and I go crazy. This happens to me every week. If I decide to just pick something to make, but it doesn’t really sound good, I never actually end up making the dinner during the week. The items sit in my fridge until I have to throw them out. It’s such a waste of my time and money.

Any suggestions on how to change this weekly dilemma?

I was gathering Ryan’s sippy cup, snacks and diaper bag before our journey to get Ruby from school. Just seconds before, he had been toddling about, but suddenly the house seemed quiet. Then I heard our dog’s cage rattling, so I figured Ryan was letting her back out because he thinks that’s where she belongs. Roaming free. And he also likes to do this when I’m running late to help me run even later.

Once again, the house was quiet and I didn’t hear Charlie’s paws clicking on the floor, so I figured the little guy was up to something else. Like maybe taking stuff out of the closet. I decided to go investigate to see what he was up to in there. This is what I found him doing…

I guess Ryan decided to let himself in, rather than let Charlie out. Good man.

For those of you who aren’t sure what a Ukulele is, it’s the string instrument they use in Hawaiian songs.

As you can tell in this photo…

Todd is one Proud Papa!

And in this picture you can tell…

Ryan is one Happy Boy!

Maybe Ryan will play the Bass and the Guitar one day, just like his Papa. After all, he practically walked out of the womb dancing. He must have some musical talent in him!