At least once a week we feed the kids something simple for supper (and Braydon and I find something to eat later, after they’ve gone to bed), because we sometimes just cannot manage to get a real family dinner on the table in time. Between double work, and triple school, and a lot of homework, and everything else, as probably most families know all too well, pulling off a sit-down-family-meal is oftentimes practically impossible. Tonight was one of those nights. Homework was done, K & O were playing basketball in the hallway with Jon — as usual (they literally play every single day), and Meera was hanging out playing, while Braydon and I were scurrying to pull together a quick and easy meal for the kids.
Very spur of the moment, we invited Jon in to eat with them (as in, I shouted out our doorway into the hall: “Jon, do you want to eat mac-n-cheese with the kids?”). It was just mac-n-cheese… however… 1) mac-n-cheese is still K,O,M’s all-time favorite meal, and 2) Jon was just thrilled it wasn’t his usual can-of-spaghettiO’s-for-dinner. These four were just so happy to be sitting there eating that mac-n-cheese together. I could not get over the goodness of it all. Note: Jon is our Head Gryphon this year. We all absolutely adore this guy. The bambinos, especially, are just head-over-heels for him.
This photo is just a snapshot, but it captures the moment perfectly. We are living a very unique family lifestyle, and there are challenges and joys to it. The moment in this photo represents one of the greatest joys.
Hi Heather,
Totally understand those crazy time crunch evenings when you need to get dinner prepared and fast. My whole family loves my homemade lasagna, but its not always feasible to make it on a busy weeknight. In additon to us having work and the kids having school and homework, all four of our kids are also active in sports year round which means LOTS of practices and games after school! Another mom shared this
recipe for Skillet Lasagna and its so easy and the whole (picky) family loves it. I thought I would pass it on to you, too! Its perfect for those crazy busy work/school nights when you want to get a yummy dinner prepared fast. Hope you like it as much as we do.
http://m.hunts.com/recipes-Hunts-Classic-Skillet-Lasagna-6155?recipeId=6155&name=Hunts-Classic-Skillet-Lasagna&locale=&evalres=true
Forget to mention that I have often subbed ground beef for the sausage and they both work well!
What a great night, I can totally get this snapshot — what a gift for you all!
– Kate