Menu…is up!

 

Hi everybody!  You know, to be honest with you all, I thought that I would have so much more time to blog this summer once school got out.  As you probably have noticed, my prediction was way off. 

E and I have been having a blast exploring new and exciting parts of Orlando and are on the go each and every day – and I wouldn’t want it any other way!  I actually do have a post (halfway written) on the way detailing all of our adventures and hope to get that to you very soon.  There are so many hidden gems in Central Florida!

As far as last weekend goes, we wives surprised all of our hubbies with a Father’s Day golf outing (we thought we were pretty awesome) followed by a cookout.  We feasted on chicken kebabs with onions, red and green peppers and pineapple.  So yummy.  We also got to see handsome baby Carson who is growing like a weed!

 

Sunday was all about the dad in our household.  He started his day with some delicious apple strudel french toast and dippy eggs before we headed to Blue Spring State Park for some family time.

Blue Spring is located in Orange City, FL and is about 40 minutes from Orlando.  We had never been and didn’t know what to expect.  The water was crystal clear, but I have to tell you, I was not prepared for all of the gar swimming around!  I have been afraid of those things since childhood and was not totally digging swimming side by side.  Luckily they didn’t bother us, but were a little too close for comfort.

There wasn’t a real “swimming hole” like we are used to at Wekiva, it’s more for tubing, kayaking, canoeing and diving, and they do have a rental store with tubes available onsite. Blue Spring also has a playground, pavilions, pontoon rentals and off road Segway tours available. We did some swimming at the end of the tube run and then hung out while E ate lunch in his new chair from Aunt Lynnie.

 

After leaving the spring we headed for some grown up grub.  We decided on some Mexican goodness at La Hacienda in Orange City and definitely weren’t disappointed!  So good and so authentic.  Oh, and take it from Mike, when you order a large beer…it is large!!!

Cheers to the best dad Everett could ever ask for! 

This week has been packed full already with a USA soccer party on Monday, swimming with Aunt Susie and a trip to Yalaha Bakery on Tuesday, a visit to Gransie in East Palatka and a trip to the Ravine Gardens State Park yesterday, a daycare day today followed by a trip to the downtown library for story time tomorrow!

We are starting to pack for our road trip to Wisconsin as well and are getting so excited to head north!  As for our food, here’s what we are feasting on this week---

 

M:  Pasta e Fagiole

T:  Grilled (bone in) Chicken Breasts w/ Balsamic Green Beans

W:  Pulled Pork Baked Potatoes

Th:  Steak and Blue Cheese Pizza

F:  Chopped Salad

Sa:  Chicken Tetrazzini

Su:  Hot Dogs w/ Fruit and Chips

 

Have a great week!

Menu ----

 

Hi all!  I hope this post finds you having a spectacular week!  I am in a CGI Math research study workshop all week(sounds amazing doesn’t it!?!) with the hopes of actually starting my “summer vacation” next week.  Fingers crossed!

This past weekend was packed full of fun and non-stop action.  We were on the go from the minute we got up until we dropped!

Saturday morning started off with a 2 mile hike on one of the trails inside of Wekiva Springs State Park.  We had a blast blazing through the trails and loved having shade most of the way.

The bugs were definitely out and about (I would highly recommend some sort of bug spray) and we were so thankful that E loved being in his backpack for an extended period of time. 

We did have a trail mix/water break about half way through and then Mike and I switched carrying the backpack.  Luckily we didn’t see many animals in their natural habitat (only skinks) and were nice and hot by the time we got back to our spot by the spring.

The rest of the morning/early afternoon was spent eating and swimming in the (frigid) refreshing water.

 

As for Saturday afternoon/night – we headed to Aunt Lynnie and Uncle Jay’s house (the newlyweds) for some cornhole, beer, grilling and soccer.  Great time with great friends.  Always.

 

 

We started Sunday off with a 3 mile run that ended with a visit to the park.  Somebody’s dad put him in the big boy swing and he was pretty proud of himself!

Our afternoon excursion took us to Clermont to pick some citrus!  I was kind of the ringleader for this activity (Mike was not too excited about the heat factor that was going to be involved) and thought it would be a blast – which it was…however…it was also AS HOT AS THE BLAZING SUN.

 

E obviously had the best seat in the house and loved the gigantic creamsicle treat at the end (more info on our experience coming tomorrow).  He has since eaten 3 of our freshly picked Valencia oranges…including the juice!

 

As for this week – Gransie is watching E while I am “mathing” it up and we are counting down to another fun weekend!

 

M:  Leftover Baked Spaghetti

T:  Creamy Veggie Pasta

W:  Grilled Mustard BBQ Pork Chops w/ Loaded Baked Potatoes

Th:  Steak Kebabs w/ Fried Rice

F:  Salisbury Steak Meatballs w/ Egg Noodles and Green Beans

Sa:  Baked Chicken w/ Chopped Salad

Su: Chicken Tetrazzini

 

Have a great week!

#menumondayislateagain

 

So, here it is.  Finally on summer break.  Finally have a second to breathe.  Finally (hopefully) will have time to work on some blogs that have been floating around in my mind lately.  Fingers crossed.  We shall see.

At any rate, I finished up my 11th (eek!) year as a teacher last Friday (with the kiddos) and headed home to gear up for Mike’s birthday weekend.  Last year we were at the beach with our family; this year we stayed local.

We kicked off the weekend at Kelly Park in Apopka.  It’s a great place for lounging, grilling and tubing.  E didn’t even mind the cold water and was the smallest little one in our flotilla!  I can see many more camping/rafting trips in his future!

Our friends met us at our house early since the park will close once it’s at capacity for the day, so we wanted to make sure we got there early.  After stopping to get tubes we made it in plenty of time.

 

 

We had enough time to chat, swim and make 1 tube run before the bottom dropped out. With two babies and no coverage we decided to call it a day and headed back to our house. That night we celebrated the birthday boy some more at our friends house with Mellow Mushroom Pizza and beer.  What more could a guy ask for?!

 

Sunday started off early with a family breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and dippy eggs (Everett’s second breakfast).  We then headed to meet E’s girlfriend at their favorite splash pad for the afternoon.  He was much more in to it right off the bat this time and loved every second.

 

 

 

When the storm rolled in, we rolled out and headed to a World of Beer nearby.  The beer was good, but just as an FYI, they don’t have high chairs…lol.  Since this watering hole doesn’t serve food, they said they really didn’t cater to children.  Oops.  We headed outside on the patio and the littles had a blast exploring…who needs high chairs anyway.  Boy did we feel like parents of the year.

 

Cheers!

As for this week, I had two days of post planning (E is going to daycare part-time this summer) and then have been having a blast being a stay at home (yet on the go) mom the past two days.  I plan to blog about all of our explorations in the coming days for those of you with little ones who want some new and fresh ideas!  As for food – here’s our plan!

 

M:  Pesto Tomato Pizza

T:  Sweet and Sour Chicken w/ Veggie Fried Rice

W:  Leftovers

Th:  Meatloaf w/ Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Carrots

F:  Steak Salad

Sa:  Turkey Cranberry Paninis w/ Sweet Potato Fries

Su:  Chicken Tetrazzini

 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!