Maverick Eats.

All. The. Time. It is exhausting. My mom tells me it is a boy thing, "they just like boobs" she says. Ha! How stereotypical! Regardless, it is time we get this boy off the boob and onto some real food. For weeks now I have been randomly attempting to feed him cereal, carrots, peas, and last night, butternut squash. Win! He actually ate it! And, your viewing pleasure:

Cooking for not quite 6.

Cooking. I used to despise it. Hate it, actually. I hated the mess, the infinite list of supplies that must be acquired from the grocery, the amount of work that I put into something that is immediately destroyed or alternately not eaten at all (which is even worse).

Today, I am loving it. I am getting good at it. I can look in my pantry and fridge and know what can be put together for a meal. I menu plan (which is key). Do I cook every night, no. BUT, in the past month, with the exception of our mini-vaca weekend, we have only gone out to eat 5 times, 2 of which were at a local sandwich place where kids eat free. This is huge for us. Huge savings as well! Freezing has become key. There is at least one casserole or dish I make every week that I can freeze. These are great options for the nights we have gymnastics, dance, soccer, swimming, or when I just need a break from cooking. I must also thank pinterest and my most awesome Aunt Amy for hooking me up with so many recipes. This has really got me moving in a forward direction.

I would like to share one of the many great, simple recipes my Aunt Amy has so graciously shared with me. I will be posting more as time goes by. I will also post a picture next time I cook it.

South of the Border Chicken Bake (cooks up like a mexican soup and the kids LOOOOVE it!)

Serving Size: 18 (I usually make 3 pans and freeze 2)

Ingredients:
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cans cream of chicken soup
3.5 cups milk
4 cups cooked chicken- chopped
2 onions finely chopped
2 cups salsa
4 cups cheddar cheese
24 corn tortillas

In a large bowl, combine soups, and milk and stir well

Add pre cooked chicken, onion, salsa, and 3 of the 4 cups of cheddar cheese

Layer tortilla pieces (tortillas cut into 8 pieces) onto bottom of the pan, then add layer of chicken mixture, then add remaining cheese for topping. (makes 3- 8x8 pans)

Cover with foil

Label and freeze

Serve: Thaw casserole, bake in 350 oven for 35-45 minutes or until bubbly.

Maverick is 5 months old.

Dear Maverick,
You are growing up too fast. Yesterday I could fit you in my arms. Today you reach my knees. I once could lay you down and know you weren't going far. Now, you roll all over the place, can sit up, think you need food, have teeth, say "hi", babble "dada", and don't want anything to do with a device that makes you lay down in one spot. You are going places little man, much faster than I anticipated.
I love you son,
Mom