Okay, time to impart some parental wisdom about food. First, don' try to make your kids eat anything you won't eat, lead by example. Second, remember not everything a child eats has to be good for them. Sometimes it's okay to to eat frosted cereal or have ice cream with lunch. Provide a well balanced diet and limit junk food, but don't overdo it. Third, and most important, prepare your kids food at home. Knowing what they put into their mouths is half the battle. Most parents now are very busy, some working two jobs and often with long commutes, so plan ahead. I find that at least thinking about your menu for the week, if not actually writing one, is very helpful. No one wants to eat left over tuna casserole, but if you plan ahead and reuse a main ingredient it can cut prep time drastically. For instance: Roast two chickens on Monday, serve every ones favorite pieces with simple sides or a salad and shred the rest for enchiladas on Wednesday. I also like to make my own broth and freeze it, a really big time saver. Freeze chicken broth in a muffin pan and store it in a zip top bag. You now have quick pan sauces and must-go soup with little extra work. I have got a lot more to say, but it's time to make dinner.

Well, the girls are all in bed and I wish it was always this peaceful. Sometimes the din of preadolescence is to much to bare. "Dad, why is the moon round?" "Daddy, how old are you?" And my favorite: "Daddy, why are you so weird?" These are the questions that keep me amused, keep me on my toes, and keep me constantly befuddled.
Leigh-Anne, my wife of eight years now, is often the only adult I get to talk to. To many of our conversations revolve around the children though. We try to get away when we can, (even if it's just a movie and dinner) but still I miss the long, meaningful talks of our past. They'll move out eventually, right?
I have keep it short for now. I think the girls are asleep and Leigh-Anne has the closing shift tomorrow so we might sneak in some adult time now. Tomorrow I'll share some kid friendly recipes and tricks I've learned about keeping to a schedule. I promise!

It' a busy life raising three little girls. My daughters are two, four and seven years old, and they can be a handful some days. Today was no exception. It started out peacefully enough, until it was time to brush their hair before school. The littlest (Tabitha) is easy, she doesn't have much hair, but Hailey (7) and Madeline (4) are another story altogether. Most nights I remember to braid their hair or at least make sure it's combed out before bed, I forgot. I paid dearly for it too.
Since they are still little, it's the small issues that seem to cause me the most problems. Bath time, school lunches and homework top the list this week. Soon I fear it'll be boys, driving and college tuition. (YIKES!) Time goes by faster and faster each day, they'll be young women sooner than I think I can handle.
It's been a couple of years now since my wife went back to work and I became the primary care taker at home. Cooking, cleaning, dishes, laundry and all the other domestic stuff is the easy part. Bullies, matching outfits and sibling infighting is what has me stumped. Let me ponder for awhile and see if I can't come up with something important to write about it. Off to make dinner now.