HOCO week is a blast. But it is also bonkers. And It is absurd to plan family sit-down meals on a week like this. Amid HOCO-posals, football, themed dress-up days, class competitions, tug-of-war and the legendary lip sync showdown, no one is sitting down to eat this week. And yet, they have to eat.
At my boys’ school, each grade creates elaborate dance routines to a mash-up of theme-related songs, all lip synced in a hilarious, chaotic and joyful display at an end-of-the-week assembly. Both boys are in their class lip sync this year and the practice schedule is kind of insane. It takes considerable time to teach teenage boys like mine how to do jazz hands and the Stanky Leg so these practices can run for hours. I’ve hardly seen them, except when they appear to ask (at all hours) what’s for dinner.
But it’s not just the boys’ schedules that are stretched this week. If you don’t think moms are deeply involved in making HOCO magic, you are not paying attention.
New suits for the dance, because, Giants! The right shoes. Oops, wrong size. Try again. Oh wait, I need a belt. Costumes for each dress up day. Another costume for Halloween football and for the dance afterparty. Trips to the craft store for HOCO-posal posters. More supplies because the first ones were wrong. Last minute requests of, “Oh crap, mom, I forgot . . .” are abundantly tossed in my direction as they rush out to another event.
Luckily this is not our first HOCO. I knew we would all be running crazy this week so our HOCO week’s menu is mainly an eat-it-when-you’re-ready situation.
Here’s how the week was planned, and how we adjusted in the middle of all the madness.
Sunday–Family Dinner? Nope.
My one shot at a family meal this week was Sunday dinner, so Sunday’s original plan was a slow-simmered beef ragù to serve over pappardelle with homemade Caesar salad. I hoped to see their faces across the dinner table. But they were both at practice until late, so, pasta on Tuesday! My dinner might have consisted of a couple healthy handfuls of Halloween candy. Almond Joy, baby!
Monday–JV Football (Cancelled ☹️) Pastrami Reubens with Homemade Russian Dressing
Every week I buy something for a flex meal and this week I bought everything for Pastrami Reubens. When Henry’s last JV game got canceled, we were bummed. But the dinner show must go on so I called an audible. We love pastrami Reubens with plenty of pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and my homemade Russian dressing on pumpernickel bread. I made the dressing on Saturday so I just fired up the panini press on Monday and dinner was done.
Tuesday—Italian Beef Ragù with Pappardelle Pasta and Caesar Salad
Tuesday’s pasta night was a breeze after my weekend prep. I made the ragù and Caesar salad dressing on Sunday so I just had to cook the pasta, reheat the ragù and toss a quick salad. Oh, and I never forget the garlic bread.
My guys can be pretty reserved with their praise but Henry finally had to tell Jon, “We get it dad, you love it.” And the boys both polished off two huge bowls, and asked me to add it to our regular rotation . Boom. Buon appetito!!
Wednesday–Honey-Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowls
Wednesday I was a little under the weather so I ordered the day’s forgotten craft supplies on Instacart and texted the boys instructions for dinner. On Sunday, I made a batch of Honey-Chipotle Chicken and Cilantro-Lime Rice so Wednesday’s bowls just needed reheating and assembling. Sour cream, beans, hot sauce and plenty of cheese at the ready.
Bowls their way, on their schedule.
Thursday—Frito Chili Pies or Chili Your Way
For tonight, Jon agreed to make his trophy-winning chili, so it’s officially fall and happy mom season. Hen has football dinner so we won’t see him for dinner. I prefer it with Fritos, onions and mustard (Yes, mustard!), Hunter likes it plain and Jon makes chili-red, a big heaping helping of chili over spaghetti. Weird, but he loves it!
Stay tuned. He promises to give up his recipe soon!
Friday—HOCO Football & Concession Stand Cuisine
I love the Homecoming football game. It’s nostalgic. Seeing the homecoming court dressed to the hilt, the tiny flower girl and crown bearer. And my very own player on the field for the game. Plus, I always get to see former students home for their reunions and it is a joy to catch up with kids I have loved for years.
Saturday—Halloween, HOCO Dance & Pre-Dance Class dinners
Hen will want a big breakfast after his early football workout, so omelets or Protein Waffles are definitely on the morning menu. Then it’s prepping for a very busy evening.
The boys will head to the pre-dance class dinners and Jon and I will divide and conquer. We get thousands of trick-or-treaters on our street so Jon is on candy duty. I get the honor of driving Henry and his date for the night. I’m gonna try my best not to embarrass him but I can’t make any promises. I am, apparently, cringy by nature.
Sunday–Fall Back and Sleep in!!
I have to admit I hate it when the time changes in the fall. I love long days and sunlight. But I don’t hate the bit of extra sleep that comes with falling back. The whole day seems to move a little slower. After the week we’ve had, I expect I will be moving a little slower too. Lingering over coffee, catching up with Jon, taking in the fall air.
But I know myself and I will almost surely get back to cooking eventually.
