The Balancing Act

Since the kids started back to school a few weeks ago, we have been trying to get used to a new schedule. For those of you who don't know me, this is our first year of having the three oldest in school all day (the girls did "half-day" kindergarten last year.) The school schedule also changed this year, so now their school day starts later and ends later. I am finding it more and more difficult as the weeks go by to get everything done the way I want it to be. By the time they get home from school and get an after school snack, it is 4:00 and time to start on homework. Doing homework with all of the kids makes me want to gouge out my own eyes with a sharp stick, and by the time we are done with that torture, it is time for dinner. But wait, I haven't made it yet because I have been explaining the concept of counting by fives and tally marks to a six year old for the past 45 minutes.

Needless to say, dinners lately have all been thrown together and EASY. It is not the way I like to cook. I actually really LIKE to cook, but I just have not had time!! Sometimes I put dinner together in the mornings, but I don't always get a chance to do that. Where is the balance? I have realized I just have to prioritize. I always work out. That is up there on the list. I clean the house. I try to do engaging, entertaining things with the one kid I still have at home. I do laundry. I sweep. Forty times a day. I plan. I shop. I try. There are just not enough hours in the day. Lately I have been going non-stop from 5:30 am when I get up to 10:00 pm when I fall into bed. And it's still not enough!!!

On that note, here are some of the dinners we have been having lately:

Tonight we had one of my brother's all time favorites when we were growing up: Toasted Tuna and Cheese. (He also really loved Ramen Noodles, but you can bet you aren't ever going to be seeing those on this blog!)

Put tuna on a toasted English Muffin. Layer a slice of tomato (if desired) and reduced fat cheese and broil until cheese is melted. See what I mean? Easy.

Last night we had Turkey Meatloaf and potatoes. I didn't love the recipe I used--I'll go back to my old stand-by next time. No picture. Oops.

These are Ryan's Black Jack Burritos--whole wheat tortillas filled with black beans, brown rice, cilantro, reduced fat cheese and fat free sour cream, grilled in a jalapeno lime vinagrette, then smothered with my homemade guacamole. YUMMY!