Stay-at-home survival

BabyBird and I have much more time to ourselves since summer ended.  The first couple of weeks took a lot of adjusting.  BabyBird was going through the week of horror as she grew four molars.  I was so used to rushing around, I found myself bored and slightly down by 2pm.  I have since found grateful purpose in spending my days focused on her and am really enjoying being at home.  Also the weather is cooler and basically perfect so we can get outside more.  I'm always happiest when I can be out doors.

One of my favourite things that we do is our 'early'* morning walk. I have heard that sunshine before 10am gives the healthiest UV rays.  I'm also happy to do some light exercise regularly while I'm pregnant.  BabyBird has had her moments but she has become a very willing participant.

Every day we venture slightly further - the surrounding neighborhoods have some gorgeous houses and mansions - and today we found a book house.  What is this?  A small glass-doored cupboard with books to swap.  I took the Marquis of O' and am sure I can find some we have finished with here to add to it's shelves.  A wee hidden treasure.
 
*it's not so early - we never get out before 8:30!

Any ideas?

I wonder if any of you creative mums out there have some ideas for feeding toddlers? BabyBird is a fairly good eater but I want to make sure her diet remains varied so we don't become one of those mac 'n cheese meal families.  You know, the type that have one meal for the kids, like mac 'n cheese, and another for the adults? No offense if you are one of those families, that's just not for me! It's been a steep learning curve and our meals are definitely more kid-friendly than they were before we had a little eater in the house. At the moment her repertoire of meals is okay but I want it to become slightly more varied.  As you can see, vegetables are seriously lacking!  I don't mind a repetitive breakfast but lunch and dinner are getting really boring.  I try to vary it up with things we like to eat but she isn't big on saucey meals.  

Can you add any ideas to our menu?  What do your kids love to eat?


Breakfast
porridge with yoghurt, honey, and cinnamon
yoghurt with either honey and cinnamon or some kind of berry
banana/grapes
sourdough waffles with jam and yoghurt
pancakes 
zucchini or banana bread
muesli with yoghurt and milk
Daddy's cereal

Lunch
cheese and ham melted inside either a wheat or corn tortilla
sourdough bread with peanut butter or butter 
fruit
scrambled egg
hard boiled egg
anything her daddy is eating
cheese and crackers

Dinner
spaghetti  with either a white or red sauce and cheese (and I sneak in vegetables and tuna)
cheese cheese cheese cheese cheese please
roasted chicken leg
peas peas peas peas peas please and corn
roasted kumura (sweet potato) or potato chips (fries)
root beat (she used to love this but has recently gone off it)
rice noodles with stir fry 
rice
sushi