SUCCESS!

I knew for months that I would have to leave home for a business trip at the end of October.  The month FLEW by and before I knew it, the trip was days away.  For some reason, I had the feeling that if I didn't have everything in line for the  60 hours I would be gone the world would end.  And maybe it would have, but I'm a Mom and of course I can do that!

I had a printed schedule of where the girls were going to be when and how they were going to get there.  Of course, I was leaving on Halloween and they would be at school that day.  So it wasn't as simple as dropping them off.  We're talking costumes, clothes that matched with and were functional with the costumes, and snacks for their parties.  Check!

Daddy was on standby, so I had to pack the girls' bags (as well as my own) for their 2 days at Mimi and Bapa's.  It wasn't as simple as 2 outfits.  Jaeden is still working on potty training (although she has been dry during awake times for the past 9 days), so I had to pack backup outfits.  And because I am OCD, all of the outfits had to match.  Yikes!

Anyway everything was a success, especially on the home front.   While I am sure they missed me, the girls had lots of fun with Daddy and at their special sleepover with Mimi and Bapa.  Jaeden didn't have any accidents.  Mya was Mya and just went with the flow.  Neither seemed to really mind that I was gone.  I had a pretty decent conference and enjoyed dinners out, socializing and a few drinks.  Now it is home sweet home!!!

This week's menu/schedule:

Monday - Chinese at home:  potstickers, egg rolls and crispy orange beef and broccoli.  (Recipe for the latter from Sandra Lee -- 20 minutes - Easy!  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/crispy-orange-beef-with-broccoli-recipe/index.html

Tuesday: Tastefully Simple Chicken Enchilada Casserole with Spanish rice

Wednesday: Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Treptow's

Thursday: Salisbury Steaks with frozen veggies and Au Gratin potatoes

Friday: TAKE OUT! Pizza?

Saturday: Dinner at Mimi and Bapas?

Sunday: Early dinner out with the Vanden Eykel family!