What a day, what a day. As I sit here typing this at 6:45 PM on Tuesday evening, I am seriously considering going to bed when I finish typing this post up. Yes, I am that exhausted —but for good reason! Yesterday was such a fun day. I’ll weave the events into my WIAW post for the day. This Wednesday is the last one in June (seriously!?!?), and the theme for this past month has been “sensible snacking”, which I did hardly any of yesterday. You shall see…
Breakfast 6:00 AM
Oh Mylanta (DJ Tanner, anyone?) —new pancake recipe alert!!!!! I’ll be posting the recipe in the near future, but can you just LOOK at those blueberries? I’m obsessed.
Snack — 9:00 AM
Yesterday, my mom and I took the two boys I babysit and Aubrey to the Lincoln Park Zoo for the day. I packed up the boys’ carseats, their double stroller, and our lunches — and by that time I was already exhausted. Seriously — how do you mothers do it? After I got to my sister’s house to meet my mom and Aubrey, I figured out why moms have mini vans. 3 kids under 6, two strollers, a cooler, diaper bags — wheewee, it was a jam packed SUV. Before we even hit the road, I made my mom stop at Starbuck’s — we needed the extra boost.
And that would be a picture from 2010 — yikes!
The zoo was so much fun! The best part about Lincoln Park Zoo is that it’s free. It’s not too big, which was perfect for our little companions.
And lunch…. well, lunch was non-existent. Horrible, I know. We got the boys all settled and eating their lunches, but by the time I pulled mine out and my lack of hunger made it look less than appealing. Meh, and to be honest with you, I wasn’t hungry all afternoon. You KNOW that’s not like me — I’m always eating!
When we left the zoo, it was already 3 and I was starting to think I should eat a little something, so I ate my raisins and almonds I brought along in my lunch to hold me over until dinner time.
After sitting in traffic for what seemed like forever, we finally made it back to my sister’s house and the boys and I went back to their house to meet their dad, who had just gotten home from work.
By the time I got home, I was famished and definitely ready to eat (bound to happen when you don’t eat all day, right?). The second I walked through the door, I snacked on some chips and hummus (not pictured) and jumped in the shower since I spent the entire day pushing around a double stroller and getting sno-cone dripped on me by a three year old (ha!).
After I got out of the shower, I set to work on a dinner that I hoped would make up for my lack of nutrients all day.
I made a huge salad and topped it with a variety of vegetables and included half an avocado as well as roasted chickpeas. I topped it with nutritional yeast, balsamic vinegar, and hummus. On the side, I had an almond flour banana blueberry muffin. Protein and fat baby!
When I was done with dinner, I popped in an Adora Disk for some calcium/chocolate action.
And I’m more than likely going to grab a snack and hit the hay before 8:00. So sad, don’t judge.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
such a fun dayy! and i hate days like that that you barely eat, i do that more in the summer then ever because im so busy and sometimes those to hot days nothin looks appealing to me!
That does look like a good salad to make up for a hungry day. The heat can kill my appetite too. Especially when you are distracted by caring for kiddos.
You’re such a fun babysitter- I bet those kids had a ball at the zoo! I was a bad kid and actually pulled a goat’s tail when I went back in the day! Those pancakes look phenomenal- love how thick those babies are!
Haha I don’t judge, Chelsey!! I’ve definitely been there. Heck, I’m usually in bed by 9:30 on a normal night, let alone if I had a day like you had!
That sounds like such a fun and exhausting day!! I spent the day hiking yesterday and totally wanted to be in bed by 7pm haha.
Love the zoo! I miss the days when Anthony would love to go!
I want those damn pancakes NOW! Love you ! <3
What a fun day!!! Good idea to fuel up w/Starbucks;-) Heat and chasing after kiddos kills the appetite.
Almonds and raisins for an afternoon snack?!?! What a shocker;-) I have the same afternoon snack everyday so I can relate-somethings just taste so good you need to have them everyday.
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Totally got ya on the DJ Tanner reference
That salad looks mahhhvalus!
I’m glad you enjoyed the zoo!!! I’m so lucky to live right by it, and it’s even better that it’s free!
The zoo was one of my favorite places when I was little! So many good memories! I am sure the kids really enjoyed it!
I always wonder how moms do it all! And how teachers do. I’m teaching for 3 weeks rising 11th and 12th graders right after July 4th. I think I’m going to fall apart haha. Any teacher wisdom?
I am always wondering how moms do it as well- my sister makes it look so effortless and wonderful with her two little angels but I know better; it’s not easy!! ….Your day must have been super tiring and fun!
You are seriously an all-star babysitter, those boys are LUCKY to have you!
I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. Have a wonderful Wednesday, Chelsey!
I always get your Full House references… always.
I wish Adora made multivitamins - I have no problem getting my calcium!
hahaha loved the DJ Tanner reference! can’t wait for the blueberry pancake recipe!
I would totally trade you days. I LOVE going to zoos!
I want to go to the zoo with my sisters kids so bad but the heat down here in SE Texas is just insane.
I would be exhausted too after not eating all day, but I hear ya - some days are just weird that way. Especially when you’re busy and distracted and out of your routine, your hunger levels can go all wonky! Sounds like a fun time though, a free zoo? How do they fund themselves? That’s awesome though!
Sounds like a fun, exhausting day! I love the zoo! That’s awesome that this particular one is free.
Haha I would totally go to bed at 8, if I had the chance! No shame. Sometimes sleep is just amazzzzing
HOOOOO BOY, do I need that pancake recipe. those guys look unreal!!
I used to live about 6 blocks from the zoo. Memories!!
And those pancakes…mmm, they look portable, too!
I’m getting tired just reading all of that; I really don’t know how moms do these things!
Although, your dinner looks absolutely delicious. Definitely a keeper.
the heat totally wrecks my appetite - but when i get back into a/c or cooled down, it is like a flip gets switched and i am super hungry!
Omg those pancakes look fantastic! They almost look more like English muffins, rather than pancakes! Can’t wait for the recipe! And isn’t it weird how some days are just like that- usually I’m always hungry too, but then occasionally, I just won’t have a big appetite! Glad you made up for it with a yummy dinner though!
Yum, that salad looks so great! Definitely one to make up for your lack of appetite earlier! Those pancakes look insanely delicious, can’t wait for the recipe on those guys! Haha, and I’m loving the DJ reference. I miss that show dearly.
You and your mom are brave for taking 3 kids to a zoo - that sounds exhausting! I don’t blame you for wanting to go to bed so early. Actually on Monday night I was fast asleep by 8:50 pm, so I can definitely relate haha.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a nap at 8:00 am
I would be in bed by 8 after bringing two kids to the zoo all day for sure! What a great day!
I love the Lincoln Park Zoo! We took the kids there 2 summers ago. My BIL lives nearby.
The pancakes look great! Can’t wait for the recipe!
I love zoos! We don’t have one here, but plan to visit one next month on vacation.