It ended up being a blessing that we'd planned to keep things low-key, since both boys ended up being sick, though not too sick to slow them down majorly. It also gave us a chance to do a little yard and garden work before the rains came.
- Cooked most meals at home including overnight blueberry french toast casserole, black beans and rice, chili and corn bread, strawberry cream cheese coffee cake, homemade pizza, French toast and fruit for dinner, salmon salad (like tuna but with canned salmon) and hard boiled eggs (to dye for Easter of course)
- Made the best use of our freezer and pantry stash, even using powdered milk for the baking. Was glad to use up a few things in the pantry that were going out of date.
- Graciously accepted bread, veggies, and some pre-made deli sandwiches from the pantry this week. Also stocked up on strawberries, which were 99 cents a pound, but we were limited to four pounds.
- Picked up a bale of spent hay for free to add to our compost. Hoping this will remedy our fruit fly situation there. Continued to compost all kitchen scraps and paper as appropriate.
- Kept up with regular laundry activities, washing in cold water and line drying when possible. Diapers and "sick sheets" were washed in hot water or on sanitize.
- Took a day trip to the science center about an hour from here. The boys loved it, and it was nice to be able to use the gift certificate that we were given for little man's birthday a while back. We did splurge here and upgrade to an annual membership, which the gift certificate contributed towards, because the boys enjoyed it so much. We met my aunt and uncle for lunch afterwards. It was a blast, and we look forward to going again.
- Enjoyed a trip to the library with the boys for story time. Since little man's in preschool, he doesn't get to go as much as he used to. It's nice that we got to go, he enjoyed it, and we both got some books out of the deal.
- The trip to Grandfather Mountain was probably the highlight of the week, and one of the least expensive. It is only about 30 minutes from our house, and we took a picnic out there. They have a great animal exhibit, wonderful hiking trails, and museums. Normally, the cost is out of our price range, but for the month of April, they always significantly discount the entrance. So, we all got in for $9. We did splurge this day and pick up some breakfast goodies and coffee before the trip.
- Little man and I enjoyed a date afternoon after some yard work on Saturday morning. He wanted to go to the bakery, so I used a gift card and got each of us a treat and some bread for later in the week. Then, we picked up eggs from the grocery store for dying later. While we were there, we discovered a free Earth Day craft of making bird feeders, so we did that together. They gave me an herb of my choice to plant, so I chose parsley, since I don't usually have that one in the garden. (I already had the basil they offered.) He also requested a trip to the carwash, so I splurged and did that (we usually don't go that often). He loved it! Such a fun time, and so special to have that time with just him.
- Used coupons and freebies to fill the Easter baskets for the boys. Little man got pistachios, mini-Nutella packs, flower seeds, and some books. Baby got a board book and a stuffed animal.
- Enjoyed a couple of family meals with mom and extended family, saving on overall cost. (Though the road trip probably made up for it with one.)
- Have played LOTS of egg hunt this week with the plastic Easter eggs we have! It has given little man hours of pleasure, and has really stretched his thinking about hiding spots. We've tried to begin introducing words like "camouflage" so that he is learning a little more in the process, but it's great for logic.
What did you do to live and save green this week? I'd love to hear from you!
