{February Photo Challenge : Week 1}

I have been an avid reader of the beautyfull Chantelle from "Fat Mum Slim" for some time now. I watched on and observed (on Instagram) as her January Photo a Day Challenge took off like wild fire. By Feb, I was very interested to take part. What tipped me over the edge? My little baby brother who lives in London at the moment started doing it. It makes me feel like its another way that modern technology makes the distance seem much less than opposite sides of the globe!

Here is the challenge:

Here Is Week One in Summary:

Day 1: My BIG boy starting Kindergarten at his BIG School today

Day 2: Lots of words both written and spoken as Hubby and I talked through pre-school for my youngest Son.

Day 3 : My BIG boy learning the time on these Teaching Hands.

Day 4 : "STRANGER" I didn't actually see any strangers today....just my family. Couldn't think of a creative way to interpret it either lol!

Day 5 : 10am view. My normal view (love my church) vs. my reality after a crazy nights sleep thanks to this "Cheeky Monkey". We missed church today which I don't like doing, but recovery day was in order!

Day 6 : A new meal made it to our family 'short list' and made it easy to have an old favourite during our busy 'back to school week'.

Day 7 : These buttons all crossed my path by 9am.....never realised lol!

p.s. Here are SOME of the MANY people taking part ;)

Lauren x

{Slow Cooker Lasagna}

Well, as my last post suggests, It has been a busy week with our eldest son starting school last week and our youngest son starting per-school today.

I wanted to be organized with meals. You see, when my boys get tired, they can get quite grumpy. Add settling into a new routine of full time kindy / preschool to the mix and it's a recipe for disaster and a week worth of 2 minute noodles for dinner in the making (I hope I am not the only one)!!!

Enter the slow cooker. I prepared my lasagna as per usual.
- meat sauce (with grated veggies)
- béchamel sauce (can use ricotta for lower fat option)
- and lasagna sheets (I like the fresh ones best).

Then I simply assembled in the slow cooker as if I would with a normal dish. I made it just after lunch time and put my slow cooker on the 'keep warm' setting. It didn't need cooking, as all the parts are pre-cooked, it just warming through to cook the pasta sheets.

When I arrived home after school pick up, the house smelled divine! Simply dished up with a salad and everyone emptied their plates with big grins. Happy family = happy mummy :)

Enjoy;
Lauren x

{The Life of a School Mum}

Well, the last week or so has been busy and focused here. I have been shopping, labeling, cooking, baking, packing & organising. All in anticipation of our eldest son's first day of school on Wednesday this week.
He has been looking forward to this for AGES, counting down the days each morning on his chart he made. He bounced into Kindy blue on day one like he had been there for ages already.
I am so proud of him and how clever he is, he constantly teaches me, challenges me, stretches me and inspires me. He made us a family and I can't believe we are at primary school already. There are many adventures ahead and I can't wait!

I have been having fun with lunchboxes and all the bits and pieces that come with being a new school mum. I will definitely be sharing some of these ideas (especially the zucchini and bacon slice "stars" that are decorating his lunchbox in the fridge ready for tomorrow - yum!)

However I wanted to take a quick moment to suggest you read this if YOU ARE A SCHOOL MUM. Sunny Mummy is an incredible Aussie Mum who encourages mums to fight the (unattainable and potentially harmful) yummy mummy status. Even if you don't have kids or they are grown up, I Guarantee you will get something from this post of hers: "An open letter to school Mums" {click here}