Ready…set…go! Is December a crazy month for you too? There’s just so much going on and so much to do that even though it’s just December 1st, I know tomorrow I’ll wake up and it’ll be the 31st.

Ok, not literally, as my son reminds me. But it’s a busy time and all I really want to do is enjoy every minute of it. Especially while my kids are still young and mesmerized by the magic of the season. I’ve made so many lists to help keep me organized but I really don’t know if they keep me on track or stress me out. They tend to remind me that there’s just so much to do.

Deep breath.

I have to admit that having Thanksgiving early this year seems like a  gift. I’ll take that extra week to get some early preparations done so that we can slow down and enjoy the holidays with a little slower pace this year.

Cozy way to spend the day

Last weekend the kids were completely entertained with a fort they built in our family room so the time was used in my kitchen to get a jump start on meals for the month. I tossed together a few dinners to put in the freezer that we can defrost the night before and use our slow cooker to make sure they’re ready to eat when we are.

In my freezer:  sweet potato and black bean enchilada casserole (which is basically enchiladas deconstructed into a layered casserole), lentil stew, vegetarian chili and hearty turkey chili. Make ahead freezer meals rock! All four took me less than two hours to pull together.

How do you help meals happen during busy times? In addition to these freezer meals, I’m also trying new slow cooker recipes. My son usually has three nights each week of sports activities so if dinner isn’t ready when we get home, the kids are eating too late. If you have any good slow cooker recipes to share, please do! Tell us about them in the comments below.

One of the kids’ favorites: Mexi Bowls

So…ready for a meal plan?

Monday – Pumpkin thyme rigatoni is perfect to use up the last of my thyme before the frost kills it

Tuesday – Mexi bowls with roasted broccoli and avocado

Wednesday – Slow cooker white bean soup with sausage and collards (not sure how easily I’ll find collards at the market but I’m sure they’ll have chard)

Thursday – Chicken fried rice with lots of leftovers for lunch

Friday – Pizza night! What are some of your kids favorite ingredients? We do a split: half for the boys with lots of meat; half with lots of veggies for my daughter and I

If you haven’t entered to win the $50 Macy’s Gift Card I’m giving away, here’s the link. Make sure you sign up by this Tuesday!