Homework ready!

Defining an area in your home for school papers and homework was essential for getting Little Bit ready for starting school last year...and again this year.  Not that she had that much homework in Kindergarten, but it was nice having a designated place for all the papers coming in and out.  I posted about my back to school organizing where I used an existing dry erase board and turned it into a school information board.  A few times Little Bit brought home an assignment that didn't have to be turned in right away.  So we would work on it, then hang it on the board with a magnetic clip.  When it came time to turn it in we knew exactly where it was.  

This year Little Bit will be starting first grade.  I am sure she will be bringing home more school work than last year.  She has a small table and chair right beside our school info board.  It is the perfect spot for her to be creative and complete school work.  We have it all set up with jars of pencils, markers and crayons!  We even added a little wall art collage to help personalize it!  She loves that is is "her space" and is already wanting me to give her "homework" that she can do.  {Hello Pinterest and first grade worksheets!}  She is definitely ready to get this school year started!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ chicken caesar burgers, sweet potato fries, corn on cob

Tuesday ~ grilled shrimp, spaghetti squash w/tomatoes & basil, salad

Wednesday ~ chicken taco soup, chips, fruit

Thursday ~ maple-baked salmon, sauteed squash medley, corn on cob

Friday ~ BBQ chicken quesadillas, guacamole & chips, fruit

Linking up with Org Junkie...check them out for more recipes.

{chicken} taco soup

This taco soup is one of my favorite go-to recipes!  It is so easy to throw together and just yummo!  Plus you can easily adapt it based on what ingredients you have on hand.  I was out of ground meat but had chicken.  I was also out of beef stock...so chicken stock stepped up to the crockpot!  ;)

Ingredients:
1 can corn or 1-2 cups frozen corn
1 can can rotel
1 can white beans
2 cups chicken broth
1 package taco seasoning
1 package ranch seasoning
2-3 frozen chicken breasts

optional toppings:  shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips

Directions:
Drain beans and place them with all other ingredients in the crockpot.  Stir to combine seasoning mixes.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6.  About an hour before serving remove the chicken, shred, and place back in crockpot.  Stir and let cook the remaining hour. 

Enjoy just as it is or with your favorite toppings!

Meeting {Anna}!

Little Bit is a tad Frozen crazy....she LOVES the movie, soundtrack, toys, books and any Frozen related item in between!  So one thing on her list for Disneyland was to see Anna & Elsa, the Frozen princesses.  The lines are over 3 hours long people!!!  There is no fastpass for this in California. :(

But wonderful hubby had a plan to get to Disney gates super early and see how close we could get to the front of line.  Little Bit and I followed behind a bit later and met up with him in line.  His efforts paid off and we were 7th in line at park open to see the much anticipated princesses! 

Unfortunately Elsa was not meeting.  I guess she was off freezing something that morning...lol!  She is Little Bits favorite and she was a bit bummed but LOVED seeing Anna.  Anna is my favorite!

Little Bit was wearing her favorite Elsa shirt and carrying her new doll!  One side is Anna, then flip her over and you find...

 

Elsa!  One tip...when you see something Frozen related...buy it!  We saw this first thing and thought we would wait a bit.  She was set that this was the souvenir she wanted for the trip.  So the hubs went and bought it around lunch.  Lucky thing cause by that evening they were sold out!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ cheese & zucchini pasta, corn on cob

Tuesday ~ crockpot pork chops, green beans, apples

Wednesday ~ beef tacos, refried beans, chips & queso

Thursday ~ maple-baked salmon, sauteed zucchini, mashed potatoes

Friday ~ BBQ chicken quesadillas, corn, apple slices

Linking up with Org Junkie...check them out for more recipes.

cheese & zucchini pasta

During the summer when zucchini is readily available, this is one of my go to dishes!  Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables and this recipe is just so easy to throw together and tastes yummo!  I hope you give it a try.

Ingredients:
1/2 box pasta of your choice {I usually use whatever I have on hand}
1 medium zucchini
1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil
2 gloves garlic finely chopped
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 cup shredded cheese {provolone or mozzarella}
3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Directions: 
Start by washing and slicing your zucchini.  I slice it into rounds and then cut then in half.  This makes them about the same size as your pasta pieces.  Salt & pepper the zucchini and set aside.

Cook pasta according to the package directions.

In a separate pan, heat olive oil on medium to medium-low heat.  Add garlic and basil, cook for a few minutes.  Then add zucchini and cook until tender.  Once pasta has finished cooking, drain and add to zucchini.  Stir to coat pasta with oil.

Turn off the heat and add cheeses.  Toss pasta and cheese mixture, cheese will begin to melt.  Serve & enjoy!!!