As my kids get older there are some definite benefits. We never went to movies when the kids were little, unless they were “Sensory Friendly” movies that certain theaters showed for kids that need the lights up a little, the sound turned down a little and to be in a space where no one cared if they fidgeted, got up and dance or squealed, because my son could not handle sitting still and not talking for 90 minutes to 2 hours. We also did not go see movies on dates because we would be sitting in the dark for 2 hours unable to talk. When we went out on a date it was time to catch up on all that is happening in the house, with the kids and us.  We realized the other night that we still need to do that. So, Wednesday night at 7:30 pm after all the lessons, volunteering and work time were over we met at a restaurant downtown.

Here comes that benefit of older children – my daughter cooked my son dinner and stayed home with him while we went out to eat. Now it is only a mile from our house but it felt like a whole different planet. It was wonderful!

For those that don’t know it has been a rough two weeks in our house. Our kitchen sink fell out from under the counter. We got it fixed but it took 4-5 days for it to be completely done.  Then Monday morning we came downstairs to no heat in the house. In Michigan, that is unacceptable. Thankfully, Monday and Tuesday were fairly mild this week and we could all be under electric blankets or around the fireplace at night. Today, I am waiting for the refrigerator/freezer repairman. We have had a leak in our freezer that has now frozen the door shut. We had a heater put in the drain 18 months ago for the same problem. Seems to not be working now. Also, our ice maker stopped working, again. We had that fixed in May with a new motor. NOT HAPPY! But, we have a freezer and refrigerator that is well stocked and for that I am very fortunate. Many do not even have that.

So on our date we caught up about the repairs and then made a mental listing of things that still need to be done. Talked about what we have coming up. How we are going to divide up some of the days coming up where we have two kids who need to be about 100 miles apart at the same time for concerts and lessons. It was quiet and wonderful!

I wanted to share this meal because when I got home both kids told me how good it was. My daughter had taken pictures for me (they are trained well not to eat before they take a picture of it!).  I wish it had photographed better because it was soooooo good!

Verdict:

This was a cheesy, garlic dish! It was easy enough that even my 16 year-old daughter who hates handling raw meat could make it without too much fuss. She had dinner ready for the two of them in about 30 minutes.

Add a side of green vegetables and a salad and you have a super simple dinner!