That's right. We have hit a new stage in our lives and I'm having a hard time adjusting. I can no longer get by with feeding my family from one box/can. We are too big and eat too much. The other night I served the family a can of green beans as a side to our meal, and Julian looked at me and said: You know we need two cans now, right? Me: Yup. Julian: Okay, good. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.
I'm in denial though. Our food just does not go very far and I really want it to. We have such BIG eaters! It takes a lot to fill a swimmer, a runner, and 3 growing kids. And, yes, Paige can be quite the little carb-monster (just like her Mom), always looking for a snack and always knowing when the pantry door is open.
It's been kind of frustrating that I make breakfast, oatmeal for instance, everyone eats a healthy bowl full (plus seconds if you're Kaelyn) and before I can clean up the kitchen, I hear the dreaded words: "I'm hungry." Aaahhh! And it's not like I can say, "Oh, that's too bad. You should have eaten you're breakfast." Because they totally did. Now I have to be the mean mom that says, "Don't tell me you're hungry unless it's 10:00 or 3:00, and that's when we'll have a snack."
It seems like I've read many articles about kids not eating or kids being picky, but didn't realize I would be faced with the exact opposite. I'm glad we have good, healthy, nonpicky kids though. Our kids love artichoke, split pea & sausage soup, zucchini, sweet potatoes, etc. It's awesome! I thought it was hilarious when Kaelyn was filling out her "All About Me" poster at the beginning of the year and instead of putting pizza for her favorite food, she put grits.
The last couple of years I've been trying to stick to a grocery budget of $200/month. Many months I go over, but lately I've really been sticking to the plan so we can hunker down on those medical bills before we move. Mission accomplished! The $200 covers food, toilet paper, diapers, soap, razors, etc. I think it's time to up the budget now that our family is growing and especially since we have 2 in diapers. The funny thing is, I'm pretty sure I spend less now on a family of 6 than when it was just me and Julian. In case you didn't already guess it, I'm a couponer. But not one of THOSE couponers. If I was one of THOSE couponers, I would only be spending $14 and I would have 42 bottles of mustard and 350 sticks of deodorant. I'm just a moderate couponer/price-matcher and it's saved us sooooo much money. It's helped pay off those student loans and even stash some cash.
I guess it's time to just face the fact that 1 box/can isn't going to cut it anymore. Blast!
Speaking of food, I feel sooo lucky to have married a man who ENJOYS cooking and is amazing at it. While it stinks that he is so much better at it than me, I love not having to make all the meals. Do you realize that we make 21 meals and 14 snacks a week!? Ugg! That's so much! I remember serving with someone in Primary who had 6 kids, and she said when her kids were younger she used to wish we could just take a pill in place of a whole meal. Two kids ago, I didn't quite agree, but now I definitely have those moments. Ironically, now this wonderful mom owns a restaurant and catering business with her husband and I would much rather eat one of their meals than take a pill.
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2 comments:
I cannot believe you keep your budget at $200!! Mine is twice that and I only have three kids! You are AMAZING!! I must know your tips. I do ad matching and the occasional coupon. But how do you coupon without being one of "those" couponers? Email me, seriously, I need some help. We are trying to work on our student loans too. Any advice would be appreciated. :)
P.S. I think I could use that recipe for slow-cooker apple oatmeal too, if you get a chance. :)
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