Monday - Scott staff meeting. On my own to cook dinner with two kids.
Tuesday - Scott basketball practice. On my own to cook dinner with two kids + me coming home from work with chills and body aches. In bed the minute Scott came home to rescue me with soup and salad from Leo's.
Wednesday - Scott playoff game. On my own to cook dinner with two kids.
Thursday - Valentine's Day. Scott chaperones the after school dance. On my own to cook dinner with two kids.
Friday - Me home sick with Evan since both of us were up most of the night with the stomach virus we can't seem to get rid of. Scott playoff game. Not home until 7:45pm. On my own to cook dinner with two kids and do the bedtime process.
I'm not sure how we survived. I had my meals planned out as usual, but with this many crazy nights and me not feeling well at all, we were lucky if there was a meal on the table for Sean. There was a lot of improvising going on around 5pm when the mere thought of putting together something I had planned was enough to push me over the edge or make me run to the toilet. Let's just say, the Norovirus has officially hit everyone in our family.
By Valentine's Day on Thursday, my stomach was killing me. I've never experienced such bad stomach pain. Enough to stop me from eating much from Wednesday - Saturday of this week. I guess that's one way to lose a few pounds. But, I mustered up some strength to pull together a great V-day for my family.
We started our already busy weekday morning by letting Sean open his little basket of goodies from me and Scott. I woke up a few minutes early to try this recipe I saw on Pinterest for Cinnamon Roll Waffles using the waffle maker. Of course I bought the "Grands" version of Cinnamon Rolls so they weren't entirely cooked in the middle by just using the waffle maker, so I had to throw them in the oven for a few minutes. But, they were a hit with Sean! I mean, who can resist the yummy frosting and cinnamon gooey-ness at 6:30am??
We left the house late, as I was putting the last minute touches on the roses the boys were going to give their teachers at school. It's amazing that I can somehow manage to walk out the door with my work bag, Evan's bottle bag, him in his carseat, Sean in another hand, and now add a bag of Sean's Valentine's, Evan's Valentine's, and a plastic juice container full of individually wrapped roses. Oy!
After making Valentine's in Spanish in all my classes and listening to cheesy love songs at work, I came home and let Sean work on his new puzzle and open his Valentine's from school before having our annual heart shaped pizza with Scott when he got home from chaperoning the dance. I think we were both relieved when it was bedtime for the entire family at 7:30pm.
That night, Evan was up throwing up every few hours and I was up in between those episodes visiting the bathroom. Add in a few changes of sheets and pajamas for Evan and I might as well have pulled an all nighter. I stayed home Friday so Evan and I could get some rest. Luckily, the worst of it was over by the time Scott left for work.
Saturday, we all finally felt back to normal. Scott was done coaching basketball for the season and we had our first Saturday as a family together since Christmas break. We went to the library with the kids to work on puzzles and get new books and went out to lunch at Chili's. Yum!
Sunday, we celebrated Scott's birthday (a week early) by going out to breakfast with his family and then going bowling. 3 kids bowling with a ramp and 7 adults...it was a busy morning! I think Sean and AJ wore themselves out running circles around a set of lockers for the majority of the time we were there. The "regulars" that were there practicing were probably sorry they got stuck next to us!
As for my cooking challenge this week....every day was a challenge just to make anything. But, I was able to pull together some Brown Sugar Blondies with Valentine's M&M's on Monday evening before the virus hit me. I knew this would be a hit with Sean since he loves M&M's and since I'd never made blondies before, I was excited for something new.
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup to 1 1/3 cup M&M's
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside. Melt 1/3 cup butter. Add 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar and mix well. Cool slightly. Add egg (beaten) and vanilla and blend well. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing well. Mix in 2/3 cup M&M's. Spread in 9 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Sprinkle 1/3 to 2/3 cup M&M's on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
They were pretty good! But, I still prefer brownies. :)
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