3 Things

Good morning, good morning.  Today I thought I'd try something new and share three things going on right now.  

{One} We are struggling to find our rhythm this school year.  I don't know why it's so hard this year compared to the last two, but I have some suspicions.  Maybe since we started the year 7 weeks earlier than our normal, our minds just can't focus?  I know I had too much slotted for one day within the first week, so that's been changed and is going better, but I'm already making a new schedule.  Tuesday-Thursday have been going great, but fitting in our 4th day has not been working.  We're up at our weekend home every weekend, so Friday's haven't been happening.  Then Monday's don't happen because that weeks work hasn't been reviewed.  I like to review the weeks work before we start our week so things are easier to teach.  This will be our new schedule, we'll start it today, and see how it goes.

{Two} I took away gadgets last week and it was marvelous.  We're going to continue no gadget time during the week and limited on the weekends.  I was finding one of my kids turned into a zombie and would be a monster after getting off a gadget.  So, away they went for both kids and we've had so much more creativity in the home.  And our zombie monster has been so talkative.  I think it's safe to say that we're all enjoying the change.

Even Lulu.  We've had our Lulu back for almost a month now and it's been so good.  I mean look at her, she never got to ride a horse at Opa's.

{Three} Meal planning sucks.  There I said it.  I'm tired of making food, nothing sounds good, and everything is boring.  Man, that felt good to say, ha!  Why though?!  Why is meal planning so dreadful?  How do you do it?  I go to Pinterest for inspiration, but find nothing most of the time.  Finding a dinner meal that everyone will eat is my struggle.  I don't enjoy red meats, Nick doesn't enjoy white meats and always wants a hot meal, Sterling hates everything except chicken and turkey (no sides), and Xander, well, he's my easy one.  He'll eat everything.  Why can't we all be like Xander!

Help a girl out and share your tips, please!