"So, Honey, what's for dinner?"

I hate those words! As wife, I have somehow assumed the position of short-order chef and I really don't remember accepting that in the job description. I just have to say, I am glad that my husband and family don't mind left overs and on the spot food improvisions (i.e. English muffin pizzas and the good old standby- quesadillas!). At Mom-to-Mom, we have shared these woes over and over again. I often say that the best advice my Mom gave me was to think of dinner right after breakfast. This is good, but better would be if I could actually create a week or 2 week long menu of meal plans. I've tried it lately, and that has taken the stress off somewhat. But, I have a hard time keeping on top of it. My sister-in-law started using E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families, which is a meal plan that you can buy for $5 a month and takes all the thinking out of it. They even include a grocery list! Many of you do meal planning, in much more detail than me, so if you would, please share some of your tips! How do you keep it going and where do you get your meal ideas?

How to Keep Your House Clean

We all know how it is: we are busy with baby all day that often the house work takes a back burner. And then right after we do manage to squeeze in some cleaning, things get all messy again! Same as the laundry! There just is no end. Here are a few websites that might help you get organized and get motivated to clean, even when you only have a few minutes! And as the FLY Lady says, you deserve a clean house! If you have any other tips, share with us!
www.flylady.com
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/home/clean-your-house-in-19-minutes-269031/

Oh, the Places You'll Go! Baby Friendly Places

It is always fun to take Baby places, but where? Here are a few that we thought of. Feel free to add your favorites, too!
1. Playtime Village
2. Library Story Time or Music Class
3. Beardsley Park Zoo
4. Maritime Aquarium
5. Stepping Stone Musuem
6. The Children's Musuem in New Haven (free for babies under 1)
7. Harvest Festivals
8. Berry Picking- Jones Farm has quite a variety all summer long and even into the fall with pumpkins!
9. Beach
10. Mall Play Areas
11. Pet shops to look at the animals