Last week was a bit of a trying one for me. All the schools started back up in session. I started seeing friends posting their kids' "first day of _ _ grade" school photos and hearing about their "back-to-school" shopping adventures. Seeing kids with their brand new backpacks and the overflow of traffic at the grocery store as mom's stocked up for school lunch provisions and after school snacks.
Their "very first day" of pre-school.
That's when it hit me...I don't have that anymore...that chapter of my life is completely over. There was no four trips to Office Depot, hours at the mall shopping for the perfect outfits, saving up for the ultimate, latest backpack and Converse shoes, getting coiffed with a fresh haircut or the rush and chaos of first day of school morning, pleading and trying to get them to squeeze 15 seconds of their life for me, so I could take that "first day" annual photo. Remember, it's not the gifts you have been given...it's what you do with those gifts that matters. I thought a lot about that last week and I'm not going to lie...I cried a lot over it too.
When our girls started pre-school, we started a tradition at the dinner table (which we carried through most of their school years). We would ask the girls two questions...."Tell me something good that happened today" and "Tell me something not-so-good that happened today". We would go around the table and each one of us would share our stories.
It made for great conversations, memories, some great laughs and a chance to work through some of those "not so good" days, life lessons and situations that everyone goes through. My point here in all of this is...cherish every day with your children because one day it is all over. I'm here to tell you that "one day" comes faster than you are ever prepared for.
We live in such a different world now, then when they first started school. Technology has gone way beyond anyone could imagine and there are so many distractions...too many to even try and list. From day one, to this day, when we serve dinner, all distractions and electronics are turned off and there has never been a cell phone allowed at our table...never. Take time out of your day and listen to your kids. Listen to what they have to share with you each and every night. Kids love to tell stories about their day, teachers, friends and what they learned...
...and as for that annual "first day of school" photo that they will begin to hate you taking around the middle school years...don't give in to their fits. Take the photo!!! When they are older, they will be so happy you did and actually thank you for it.
Now I know weeknight dinners can be daunting and hectic during the school year. I survived weeks, months and years of Girl Scouts, ballet recitals, voice and piano lessons, evening and weekend soccer and volleyball practices, volunteering, homework way beyond my capability and worked a full time job...I must quote the words of our daughters' teacher's graduation speech...just tell yourself "I know this...I've got this"!
Until then...here's a super easy one for you!
One Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini
2 chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally (for thin cutlets)
8 Tbl butter, divided
1/2 cup Italian-Parmesan Panko
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup flour
2 zucchini, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbl freshly squeezed lemon
In a large skillet over medium heat melt 2 tablespoons butter. In a shallow dish, add 4 tablespoons melted butter. In another dish combine the Panko , Parmesan cheese and flour. Dip the chicken in the butter and then coat in the Panko crumb mixture and place in skillet.
Cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes until the outside is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside on plate.
Add 2 tablespoons of butter back to the skillet and saute the minced garlic for a minute. Add the zucchini to the skillet and saute until tender. Add the freshly squeezed lemon over zucchini. Add salt and pepper to taste and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan. Add the chicken back to he skillet and heat for a minute.
One Year Ago: Grilled Shrimp, Corn and Avocado Salad
Two Years Ago: Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Three Years Ago: BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken
Four Years Ago: Flat Iron Steak Salad
The last of the "lasts".
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