Errand day...

Other than a trip to a friends' for New Year's Eve and taking the kids to school, I haven't left the house this week. I ventured out this morning to accomplish a few things like picking up a few essentials from the market, ordering my glasses and finding a birthday gift for a party tomorrow. Oh and it was my morning to volunteer at school. Mission accomplished! I actually saved all of my errands until today and finished them all! I even stuck to my lists so there weren't any unforeseen expenses (well except the M&Ms to keep the 2 year old happy toward the end of the morning - need to plan to bring something like that from home next time).

I did use some of my Christmas money (a gift to me) to purchase a small fake decorated and lit tree for next year in my foyer. I have been eyeing these since Thanksgiving when they were going for $135. The day after Christmas they were down to $65, but I still wasn't willing to pay that price. Well, I happened into the store today to pick up a birthday gift and there they were marked down to $25! I am so excited to have it in place next year! I spent the beginning of my decorating season pulling out decorations that I knew I wouldn't use anymore to donate. I ended up only purchasing 3 new things and I honestly think that's all I want/need to create the look I want. I am in a good place with my Christmas decorations and that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Tomorrow will be a busy day between dance and a skating party. DH and I will have to split up kids to get everyone where they need to be. I didn't know what to get the birthday girl for her birthday, hopefully the t-shirt decorating kit will be a hit. Honestly, I never know what to get most kids unless my girls are good friends with them. I usually try to stick with something educational (books or puzzles or something like that) or crafty that causes them to use their imagination (scrapbooks, this tshirt thing). In a culture where kids seem to have everything they could possibly want, what do you get them? I have seriously thought about donating to a charity in their name, but I'm guessing that wouldn't be too cool. ~sigh~ At least I got a good deal on the kit!

I'm also planning on finishing the huge task of sorting through my middle daughter's room. I started yesterday and got through her desk and the top of her dresser. This alone filled half a trash bag and added a large stack of papers to the recycling. She is such a pack rat! ACK! I still need to get through her closet, baskets and books. I need to do it when she isn't around or there is major drama over everything. When she isn't here and doesn't realize that I've taken out a piece of paper the size of a 1 inch square, life is wonderful and drama-free :) Drama-free is good!

Dinners are planned and Saturday's dinner is already marinating - chicken teriyaki, rolls and green beans. Sunday we'll have meatloaf, mashed potatoes, rolls and a salad. I'm also planning to make banana chocolate chip muffins (mini muffins) out of bananas that are ready to ooze or be used. I should have enough to freeze a fair amount for later snacks.

My food-related goal for next week is to eat all of our meals here at home and to cook at least 1 warm breakfast during the week to avoid pre-packaged foods. So, Sunday night I'm planning to mix up pancake mix for Monday morning. This should make enough to freeze some for use later in the week. I would also like to make eggs, toast and potatoes one morning. If I can get away with only 3 mornings of cereal or some other breakfast-related convenience food I'll know we can get to 2 the following week. Two convenience breakfasts a week is my goal (including weekends) for the winter.

May your weekend be simple and fulfilling!