Happy start of a new week

[dreemkin]

What's on the docket for Monday?

[dreemkin]

Grocery shopping today with only 1 kid!! Tonight N starts her first dance class for the Fall session. I'm hoping DH will be home to take her and A and I can have an hour to myself (probably just for working out lol). He's been working a lot lately though because of the natural disasters so I never know if he'll be on time or pulled into another meeting.

The other day N saw a memorial of flags set up for 9/11 and asked what it was for. I didn't really know how to explain that so I just kind of said 'oh to remember something that happened' 😔 It looked like the high school had a late start day today which it was that day for me so it took me back to that morning. Ugh

[mmarie]

We evacuated the Tampa area for the hurricane. We are in NC now, waiting to hear about damage and then we will head back. We packed for Florida weather and it's high 50s in the mountains of NC. We are freezing. We stopped at Wal-Mart and got some mismatched sweaters and sweatpants.

[dreemkin]

Oh you poor thing, mmarie. Hang in there 😔 ((Hugs))

[mmarie]

Sept 11, 2017 11:18:03 GMT -5 dreemkin said:

Oh you poor thing, mmarie. Hang in there 😔 ((Hugs))

Thanks. Eventually this will be a very funny story. Eventually.

[dmorgendorffer]

mmarie I hope things start getting better for you guys!

[dmorgendorffer]

Construction started at my house this morning so I officially don't have a kitchen for at least the next 5 weeks. If anyone has ideas of meals that you can prepare with only a toaster oven, slow cooker, or a grill send them my way! We got rid of our counter top microwave after the last renovation because we had a built in one installed so we don't even have a microwave this time.

dreemkin I think your answer about the flags was fine. It wasn't a lie and I think sharing any more details might cause unnecessary anxiety.

[aggiebug]

Sept 11, 2017 11:22:51 GMT -5 mmarie said:

Sept 11, 2017 11:18:03 GMT -5 dreemkin said:

Oh you poor thing, mmarie. Hang in there 😔 ((Hugs))

Thanks. Eventually this will be a very funny story. Eventually.

Eventually indeed. Sorry it's rough right now.

[aggiebug]

dreemkin yay for shopping with 1! I am extra envious after my morning at the store lol.

Hope you get solo time.

[aggiebug]

Sept 11, 2017 12:38:34 GMT -5 dmorgendorffer said:

Construction started at my house this morning so I officially don't have a kitchen for at least the next 5 weeks. If anyone has ideas of meals that you can prepare with only a toaster oven, slow cooker, or a grill send them my way! We got rid of our counter top microwave after the last renovation because we had a built in one installed so we don't even have a microwave this time.

dreemkin I think your answer about the flags was fine. It wasn't a lie and I think sharing any more details might cause unnecessary anxiety.

Bagel or tortilla pizzas in the toaster oven

Pulled pork in the crock pot

Mac n cheese

crock pot beef and broccoli . Not sure about making rice without a microwave at least hmmm

I also have a shredded chicken recipe you could use for tacos, and barbacoa for the same use, or an honey sesame chicken if you want. I will think of more ideas.

Grilled chicken with Portobello mushroom and provalone cheese melted on top

Aluminum foil packets of grilled veggies

[aggiebug]

Hiya. Yeah.... Sarah's new behavior is just rough. I never felt like we really had the terrible two but I am feeling like the threenager is here early. Today's episode includes an epic screaming meltdown as we had to leave the park. All the kids came running to see if she was ok and see why she was screaming. Yeah that was fun especially as I was meeting up with some mom's trying to make connections. Awkward. I mean it's totally normal but still awkward. Then the store was awful. Hitting and pushing her brother in the two seat cart, screaming, throwing things. Yeah.... I feel like I do well using positive parenting techniques and holding firm on reasonable consequences but man I am going to need to read up on some more techniques because we aren't both going to survive like this lol. Relatedly regretting not starting preschool this year

Meanwhile C has taken a few steps, is climbing everything and a generally happy silly boy .

[dreemkin]

aggiebug hang in there. Continue to do the positive parenting and it'll pay off...eventually. This too shall pass.

[lilyelayne]

aggiebug I'm reading How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen and it's got some good tips. The book's target age range is 2-7 so some of it is still out of reach.

I hear good things about 1-2-3 Magic.

Also about Mother's Day out programs and babysitters 😬

[dmorgendorffer]

Thanks for the recipe suggestions aggiebug! Aluminum foil packets with grilled veggies is genius! No clean up required and a healthy, easy side.

I'm with you on feeling like I need to read up on some more techniques. E is generally good but sometimes she's just a toddler. We were out at dinner with MIL Sunday and she decided it would be hilarious to start yelling as loud as she could, and the table next to ours thought it was hilarious which just encouraged her to keep doing it. I was pretty mortified.

[kartish]

aggiebug I don't recommend the happiest toddler on the block, I did not appreciate it. I've been reading some of Janet Lansbury's articles and I like so e of what she says.

V has been pretty wild these days too. The tantrums, climbing, hitting, running away all make me just want to stay home!

[aggiebug]

Sept 12, 2017 10:23:09 GMT -5 kartish said:

aggiebug I don't recommend the happiest toddler on the block, I did not appreciate it. I've been reading some of Janet Lansbury's articles and I like so e of what she says.

V has been pretty wild these days too. The tantrums, climbing, hitting, running away all make me just want to stay home!

Yeah I want to stay home too. We are currently stuck in the car in front of our house because I asked her to put on shoes so she can walk in before I unbuckle her. Oyi.

I prep talk about how it will go, I try to give her power in leaving, I praise good behavior, warn her it's coming. Annnnd I get kicked and screamed and running away. It's awesome.

As I told H I think it's even harder to take since I have no friends here so it's all me and I feel like I am trying to make a good impression all the time to find some people. This is not how we make friends Sarah!!!!

It will get better. It will.

[aggiebug]

Sept 12, 2017 8:47:43 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

aggiebug I'm reading How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen and it's got some good tips. The book's target age range is 2-7 so some of it is still out of reach.

I hear good things about 1-2-3 Magic.

Also about Mother's Day out programs and babysitters 😬

Thanks I just got my library card so I will look for them. And yeaass don't worry I am looking for that type of thing for both of them and for me.

[seamonster]

Sept 11, 2017 12:38:34 GMT -5 dmorgendorffer said:

Construction started at my house this morning so I officially don't have a kitchen for at least the next 5 weeks. If anyone has ideas of meals that you can prepare with only a toaster oven, slow cooker, or a grill send them my way! We got rid of our counter top microwave after the last renovation because we had a built in one installed so we don't even have a microwave this time.

dreemkin I think your answer about the flags was fine. It wasn't a lie and I think sharing any more details might cause unnecessary anxiety.

Slow cooker and grill are my jam.

Slow cooker:
Sausage, onions, peppers, and potatoes
Pot roast with vegetables
Slow cooker lasagne
Stews
I have a whole Pinterest board for slow cooker things to survive being a working parent so lots of ideas

Grill:
Fish and vegetables
Chicken and vegetable kabobs
Burgers
Use a grill pan (or make one from foil) to easily cook veggies

If you eat a lot of rice I'd get an inexpensive rice cooker. You can do rice, oatmeal, and pasta in it.