Free For All Friday...menu plan (summer project idea!)

I'm posting this a bit early-- not to worry, I'm feeling just fine ;)  I did stay up way too late last night thinking about what fun things we could do with the kids this summer.  I mentioned a few things in yesterday's post about fun stuff, activities and things we might do. 

This morning, as I was asking the kids about what they'd like to have for meals as we make the transition to being home during the day...I got frustrated.  One child is a great eater...one child eats every other day (lol-- Cash, I mean...we feed him, he just eats when he's ready) and the middle child (imagine that) doesn't like ANYTHING!!!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!  Normally, the kids are made to eat what I cook--but you know, this just creates discontent...I want the dinner table to be a happy place.

So. 

I thought. 

She likes to cook.  How can I use this and channel it...to create a pleasant dinner table for all?  What is the answer?  Because the things she liked last week --this week they are totally gross. 

Hmmm.  More thinking.

So I gave her a couple of cookbooks and told her to pick out some things that she liked.  Easy Weeknight Favorites...a favorite Southern Living Cookbook of mine.  It's got kid friendly, homecooked meals with few ingredients and  relatively easy prep. 

She and Sara perused the book and picked out quite a few recipes.  

Then I had a bright idea!  (well, I thought it was bright anyway)

Abby likes to cook and usually if she cooks something...she's more inclined to be excited about eating it.  SO...I schemed up a project that I think might be a fun learning experience and teach the girls more about budgeting and cooking!!!

Project Menu Plan is born...

 

 

Download Menu plan_color

Download Menu plan_b&w.

(included in the download is a TWO to a PAGE document)

We discussed how much it costs if our family of five goes out to eat at one of our local spots (about $25-35).  We did some division --multiplication...and decided that averages about $5-7 a person.  We were pretty sure that we could eat at home for at least half that per person...my goal is to challenge the girls to create menus that are as inexpensive as possible as we continue.  To help them understand more about what things cost and how to shop wisely and why I don't pick up everything they ask for.  We'll be budgeting with the cash/envelope system. 

We started with the basics.  I let Abby pick anything she wanted for dinner.  A main dish, side, veggie and dessert.  She wrote down the ingredients and checked the pantry/cupboards for items that we had for the recipe.  Then, jotted a grocery list for the items we needed to create the meal.  We budgeted $15 to buy the items and stayed on target when we got what we needed.  Sara is so excited for her turn!!!  I think I'll try to do this at least once a week for each girl...maybe more depending on how it goes. 

So now Abby is prepping our dinner and tonight we'll enjoy:

• Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese topping
• Zucchini Sticks
• Corn on the cob
• Popsicles

I think this will be a fun project to keep the kids' interest and help them to learn some real world stuff through the summer...oh, and it might help my sanity (a lot). :)

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Hope you enjoy! Happy Friday!

Comments

[Darlene Servolini]

Oh, this sounds like such a fabulous idea! Keep us posted!

PS- Dinner at your house tonight sounds AWESOMEEEE!! :)

[Jersey Girl Anne]

I sure would like to know where you can eat with a family of 5 for $25 to $35!! LOL P.S. I love your blog!!

[Sweetably]

I have never in my life left comments anywhere on cyberspace, but I just had to with this one....I love this website! You are truly bookmarked :)

[jannawilson]

Well, Sweetably...I feel absolutely honored that you took a moment to visit and comment here! Thanks so much! Hope you come back soon!

[Jillian Mitchell]

Jersey, You can eat fast food for that price, but you can also go out to a place like Chili's and eat for that you simply don't order an appetizer and drink water. If you think about it there is always more than enough food in your entre, and my two boys share a kids meal because they are huge. Sometimes my younger one doesn't even eat because he is sooo PICKY!