What a great feeling, having my cupboards stocked with food … good food! Especially when I have hungry kids in the home, and also their friends, who come and go all summer long. But sometimes when you are on the run, you have to think outside the box.
Today was the last day of school for many in the Rogue Valley. A bunch of kids came over and swam and I ran out to get some fast pizza – you know, the take-and-bake kind!
I used my coupons in my purse and was able to get quite a lot of pizza for very little money.I love the fact that summer is here and school is out.
We will have a bunch of kids here, swimming, playing badminton and ping-pong, soccer in the cul-de-sac and basketball.
I will need to be on my toes with some quick, cost-effective snacks.
I find hospitality with teens interesting. Interesting because you can have the best foods stocked in the cupboards and fridge, and they still can’t find anything to eat! And they are always hungry!
My kids have learned to be self-sufficient and make their own snacks. I tend to stock my kitchen with food that I know they will eat, like:Frozen burritos, fresh tortillas and deli meat, eggs for wraps, soups & chili, Top Ramen, English muffins for mini pizzas, bagels & cream cheese, frozen pizzas, and fruit and protein powder for shakes! Another main staple in our home is FUJI apples and peanut butter! I almost forgot!!
I’m always interested in new ideas, and I’d love to hear what kind of snacks your kids like?
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I got a call today saying that I won a new car! Well, actually an older truck! I had purchased a raffle ticket a few weeks ago, and the main prize was a 1980 Chevy Luv pick-up truck! We have yet to figure out what we are going to do with it, but here it is! A bunch of boys just getting their permits and licenses are drooling over it ....Oh, and a little bit of trivia: Paul's first car ever was a 1980 Chevy Luv!
20 comments:
I think it is wonderful that you have the house everyone hangs out at. It's a big responsibility, but it's also wonderful for everyone to have a safe place to hang. I house sat for a family that had everything, pool table, hot tub, huge TV, every game system, videos etc... at first glance the kids seemed spoiled. But, their mom always knew where they were. She could convienently do laundry in the basement when they were down there to keep an eye on the activities. It's expensive to be the cool safe house, but well worth the investment. As for snacks, well I dated a guy with 4 brothers and his mother Always had a pot of sauce and a bag of meatballs simmering on the stove. The boys would take a bun and make meatball sandwitches round the clock.
We lived in town when our kids were younger and found that children in the neighborhood--especially the latchkey kids--just longed to have kind-hearted people to spend their summer with. They wanted to be at our place so badly that they were even eager to do chores around our place, rather than go home to an empty house. For snacks it seems that easy-to-grab food is the preference around here, and keeping a bowl of washed and cut fruit or vegetables in the fridge has proven to be a good idea.
I wanna' come hang out in your back yard! It's wonderful that you're able to have your eyes on everyone.
As for snacks, my 8 1/2 year old loves apples & peanut butter. So do I ;D
wow. nice truck. we have a man at our church who is always winning things...he won a gorgeous Harley at one point. You remind me of him.
Hey, Melissa -- I had to go back and edit my post! FUJI apples and peanut butter are a STAPLE around our house. We eat that snack almost daily.
Thanks for the reminder :)
Sandy
Hey! If you need a home for that little truck, you could put it in the next Happy Coughlin Box we draw for! :oD
Sandy, you sound like one smart mama, having your kids & their friends hang out at your house...and you're so brave to try to feed them all the time. I can see a fun summer at your house.
What a great prize! I'd love a truck. I know what I'd do...keep it for yardsaling & garden supplies.
Rhoda
OH MAN.. I thought the "what's to eat" was just a phase.. and my kids are only 2 1/2 and 4. *sigh*. You sure seem like you are doing something right. Having all those kids around is a big responsibility but what a trade off, huh? Congrats on the new truck. I like the yard sale suggestion. Just think what you could get in the back of that thing! Oh, and snacks? My kids like it when I mix the peanut butter with honey for dipping. Also makes the peanut butter last longer! (giggle)
Oh my word, with a backyard like that it's no wonder the kids want to hang out there! I'm in awe of it. I live in a town of about 9,000 and only two homes have pools and one of them isn't mine...lol.
Congrats on the truck, very cool!
Laura
How wonderful to open your home to your children's friends. I grew up in a home that was always open to our friends, and have tried to create the same type of home for our children. Feeding them is a challenge as they are always hungry. I keep lot of fresh fruit, veggies, and lemonade available. My girls like to bake cookies and brownies so that is a staple as well. Enjoy your summer!
~Jen
oh my goodness that's a bunch of kids! i love having people around my house too. and i feed my whole family every sunday after church. your hospitality blog is so nice. you've got some good ideas. thanks for stopping by my blog.
and i forgot to say--how cool that you won a truck!
Your house looks like a fun place to be! And your choice of food is divine. Can I be 12 again? ha! How lucky are you to win that truck! That's incredible.
What fun pictures! When my kids get older I want to have the house they want to hang out at with their friends.
I can't believe you won a car :)?!?
I think we must have matching grocery lists! I also have an extra large container of pink lemonade (powder) cuz it disappears so quickly. We go through lots of iced tea, too. We have a 2nd fridge out in the garage that holds Gatorade, bottled water, juice, milk and pop...the freezer out there is stocked with pizzas, mini bagel pizzas, burritos, etc.
I cannot BELIEVE you won a truck! LOL Guess that raffle ticket was a good investment! Our son is saving for his first car and would be quite happy with this!
Congratulations on winning the truck. That's just great.
It's wonderful you have a home that all the kids wants to stop by and hang out in. What fun all the pool pictures.
Apples with carmel sauce is always a good one.
You're the coolest mom in the neighborhood! Love the truck - congratulations! And the fact that your husband owned one of these back in the day is really fun.
Great snack ideas!
I always have chips 'n salsa and bags of grated cheese on hand... and Hot Pockets... and Schwan's frozen foods!
Congrats on the truck Sandy!! How FUN! And what a beauty! Hang on to it! Your boys will love it!
That looks like my backyard this summer! We keep having the teenage crowd over for Sunday afternoons. i'm loving seeing all the suggestions! Here are some things I've made for large crowds....or small crowds....of kids who gather here:
**pot of pinto beans (put a slice of bacon in, a chopped onion salt and pepper and a dash or two of cumin, then mash them....easy!), tortillas, cheese and salsa
(I get the tortillas, salsa and shredded cheese in bulk at Sam's Club)
**Hot dogs and hamburger patties, rolls and chips same thing....get them at Sam's Club and keep on hand
**Otter pops to pass out when it's hot. I buy them like a crazy person and stock the freezer.
**Big box of microwave popcorn from Sam's (throw a handful of jelly beans into each big bowl for added flavor)....bring out big bowls of it...very satisfying after swimming
**Large pot of chili or white chili and tortilla chips.
**Taco bar....just lay out whatever fixings you have and a small spoon to serve the meat (so they don't take too much!) lol
The frozen burritos is a great idea! But I HIDE my fresh fruit when the teens hit the door! I figure their own moms can feed them expensive fresh produce.
**I also have a 2 gallon cooler that I make lemonade or koolaid in (and filled with ice to keep it very cold) and put it outside so they do not tromp through the house all wet from swimming for cold drinks. (now only if I had a potty outside!)
Sandy-
Not sure regarding the kiddos quick summer snacks but...
what ever happened to the Chevy Luv pick-up you won?
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