I got to join the family run yesterday;). Jess and her husband, Adam, had a 2 x 2-mile, 1-mile workout, and we got it all done before getting the kids off to school. They even put out water for us on the course because it’s still toasty roasty here.
My goal was to hang with Jess for the first 2-mile interval, but I was feeling really good and hung on for her entire workout (minus the 200s she did at the end… my body was done).
These shoes really are a blast to run in, which sounds strange, but it’s true. They feel like moon shoes. I couldn’t have kept up with Jess without them yesterday. I’m pretty sure this was the longest speed workout I’ve done post-back injury and zero aches or pains!
He’s enjoying his last mornings before his school starts…
We hit up the library.
And we are learning a whole lot about volcanoes right now.
The other day, Taylor asked if I could do a post with some school routine ideas and our favorite easy dinners. Today feels like the perfect day to go over this!
Let’s jump into routines.
*If we want to be on time for school, the only way to do so is if everyone’s outfits are laid out the night before. Brooke and Knox are now to a point where they just do their thing in the morning, but for the younger years of school… this is a must. Socks, shoes, backpacks, everything… otherwise the morning turns crazy.
*We also make lunches the night before. The kids love a hot breakfast (Andrew’s specialty), and there is no way we will have time to make egg burritos/waffles/crepes along with lunches in the morning. Lunches are made after dinner each night when the kitchen is already a disaster, so we are only cleaning everything up once for the day.
*We are a “one thing per person at a time family”… I can’t imagine having them each in multiple things at a time, schedule-wise, so we made that rule, and it’s helped us feel like we can manage after-school activities… kind of.
*A veggie tray is part of our school routine. I know, I know… It’s cheaper to prepare them myself, but that isn’t going to happen, no matter how many times I try. Whipping out the veggie tray every day is the realistic solution for me to have my kids snacking on veggies daily.
*We’ve also found that these blueberry muffins make post-school homework go more smoothly. Whoever has homework hits up the stools at the counter before sports/friends/activities.
Skye’s only homework is reading each day.
*After dinner, if we have time, we will play cards, go for a walk, or watch a show together.
*They take showers before bed, and everyone is in bed at 9 (and Knox usually reads for a bit longer).
And now for a list of our favorite easy dinners to use during the school year:
*Baked potatoes with shredded BBQ chicken in the crockpot or baked sweet potatoes with ground turkey + taco seasoning and toppings.
*We love Mindy’s Crockpot Thai.
*Grilled cheese with tomato soup. Brooke and Knox’s #1 dinner.
*These chicken enchiladas usually give us two nights of meals.
*This post has a list of my favorite Trader Joe’s ingredient dinners. I LOVE this IG account for easy TJ’s Meals.
*WE LIVE OFF OF SOUP when the temperatures drop, and my list of favorite soups is HERE (and a lot of them you make in the morning in the crockpot).
*My list of favorite meals to feed a GROUP are HERE.
*We all adore these sheet pan pitas, and they are quick. Sheet pan dinners >>
And a few more that are really simple:
*Sheet pan chicken and veggies with whatever is in the fridge.
*Tacos with ground turkey or beef, everyone makes their own.
*Breakfast for dinner… pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit or crepes, or a breakfast burrito.
*Spaghetti with garlic bread, sometimes homemade, sometimes Costco.
*Crockpot pulled pork or chicken with BBQ sauce or salsa.
*Quesadillas with cheese and whatever leftovers are around.
*Rice or quinoa bowls with roasted veggies, avocado, and chicken or shrimp.
*Rotisserie chicken from Costco with bagged salad kits and rolls.
*Pizza (with our Sam’s Club dough).
*Stir fry with rice, veggies, and soy sauce.
*Pulled chicken sandwiches with sweet potato fries.
*Burrito bowls with rice, beans, salsa, guac, and whatever toppings are left in the fridge.
*BBQ chicken sandwiches with coleslaw.
*Homemade nachos with chips, cheese, beans, and toppings (or sweet potato nachos).
Parents reading–> what school routines or easy dinner recipes do you love?
Anything you are an expert on because of someone in your life that you never expected to be an expert on?
-Currently, trains and volcanoes, thanks to Beck.
Do you go to the library often?
Last speed workout you did?
