Summer Menu Planning by Pepe

Edited to add photos!








Pepe is bored... third day of summer and he's bored. Of course it is because that little brother headed off to a friends house and the friend he called couldn't come over. After entertaining himself for quite awhile he finally announced it.... I'M BORED!

I suggested that he plan our dinner menu for the week. He looked at me curiously and said...

1. tortellini
2. ravioli
3. spaghetti
4. lasagna
5. pasta salad

Ha! He's funny... and he loves pasta. All kidding aside, I pointed out the cookbooks and told him to find something. I also mentioned that Giada's (Dad's girlfriend) cookbook would have pasta dishes as she is Italian. He came back with dinner and dessert...

from Giada -- (he put sticky notes on the pages for me)
Cheese Tortellini in Light Broth

from The Great American Cookbook -- (more sticky notes)
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Next assignment -- create a shopping list.
WHAT?
I explained how to do it... go through the ingredient list and decide what we don't have and write it down.
DONE.

I guess we're headed to the store in a few minutes... since I'm out of tortellini ;)

I wonder what's on the menu for tomorrow night?

Last Day...

This morning my heart is full... full of happy, sadness, excitement and nerves. Today is my last day teaching preK, my last day as a staff member, my last day for everything I've 'known' for the last 7 years. I can't believe I've been there for 7 years... as a parent and as a teacher.

It will be hard to say goodbye to my students today, hard to wish them well tonight, hard to say goodbye to all of the wonderful families, hard to say goodbye to the staff that has watched me flounder (in every way), grow and learn.

But, it is time to jump out of 'comfort' and press forward. I've worked hard to attain my goals and at some point you just have to go for it.

So, here I go... scared, nervous and excited.

In order

As I went to bed last night I realized that I was more at peace-- why?

As I reflected a couple of things came to mind... Through all of the stress, trials and commitments I managed to fill my cup on simple ways.

~ when I felt exhausted, I let myself close my eyes for a few minutes
~ made dinner (tried to make our own pizza -- need to practice)
~ everyone spent time in their bedroms (including me) tidying up and putting away laundry
~ took time to review monthly finances
~ phinneous relaxed in the hot tub-- by himself
~ I relaxed in the hot tub-- by myself!

As I headed up to bed I noticed the difference... It just felt peaceful and in order.

PROCRASTINATION

I'm the queen...

Especially when I have something to complete that I do.not.want.to.do!

Like right now... I'm in the library still working on the fifth chapter of my action research project. I keep hoping it will write itself or that I will get a "free pass" to not do it. Guess what... I don't think that's going to happen.

So... today I sit and I write. I write for awhile and then I goof off. I've decided I am "that" student. The one that you want to just shake and yell STAY FOCUSED!

Not happening... Thank goodness Tim and Faith are entertaining me (yep... ipod on and listening to my favorite people serenade me). By the way, I'd love to see them in concert again ;)

Back to work... ugh... it will be worth it, right?