School
A Sandwich Container & Dry Erase Marker
The best part about packing a lunch for my husband and kids is I get to sneak in a note occasionally. These sandwich containers are great because I can write on them with dry erase markers, put them in the lunch box, and erase them before washing them once they are back home at the end of the day. If you are looking for a super simple way to “send some love” and remind your family members how much you love them try writing in a dry erase marker on their sandwich container and see what they say about it.
Adding A Little Something Extra
Smile sandwich maker
I picked up this sandwich imprinter at the Dollar Tree at the beginning of this school year. The girls love getting surprises in their lunch boxes. Usually they make their lunches, but occasionally I will make them for them if it has been a busy day or to give them a break.
When I make their school lunches I always try to add in something special. Sometimes after their in bed I will double check their lunches to make sure they packed everything they need and add a little something extra to it. It could be a note, an special snack, a imprinted sandwich, or something else. They always enjoy discovering the something “extra” in their lunches.
I have used these sandwich imprints many times over the past few months. It is simple and easy, yet the kids love it. All you have to do is make the sandwich, imprint the bread, and pack it into their lunch. It only takes a few seconds, but it is worth it because the kids enjoy it so much.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is always better with a smile!
Water Bottle Treats
The girls love it when I put something special in their lunches! One of their favorite surprises in their lunch box is when I make a water bottle container full goodies. The one pictured above was done on their last day of school last year as a way to celebrate the special day with them. Since they were in the same class last year I just sent one to share. This one is full of chocolate and vanilla oreos, but you could put anything in the water bottle container (fruit, veggies, crackers, etc…). I was super excited to hear they ended up sharing the cookies with their friends sitting next to them at lunch! 🙂
It is super easy to do and the kids will love it! Take two empty water bottles and cut the bottles in half (I pinched the bottle together and used scissors to cut the bottle in half). Wash out the bottles and make sure they are dry before filling with the treat. After putting the food into both halves of the bottle, push the two bottles together, and place a piece of decorative tape around the middle to hold the two bottles together. Write a note to your little one, put a hole punch in the middle, and tie it on with a ribbon. Stick it in their lunch box and wait to hear how excited they were when they opened up their lunch box!
Space by Twin Sisters
The girls really love to listen to music whether we are in the car, at home, or even sometimes outside! One of their favorite groups to listen to is Twin Sisters. The music CD listed above is on Space by Twin Sisters and is part of their Science Series. Every night as the girls are going to sleep they get to listen to one CD.
Before doing this they would keep each other up talking. With the music it helps give them some quiet time as they go to sleep and typically one or both are asleep before the music ends. The CD goes through a variety of fun songs about the space including astronauts, jobs, satellites, and more.
I love the fact that the girls are not only listening to music in the car or at home but that the music teaches them about specific topics like space. It says that the music is for ages 4 to 9 years old, but even younger or older kids will enjoy the cheerful music on the CD. Here are the songs on the CD:
- When I Grow Up
- Many Jobs To Choose From
- It’s Called Cooperation
- I’m Feeling Light As A Feather
- Can We Live In Space?
- You’re An Astronaut
- Famous Astronauts
- Stepping Out In Space With The MMU
- What Is A Satellite
- Heroes Of Our Time
- Space Colonies
- I’ll Be An Astronaut Medley
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
The girls bento boxes we picked up for them in India are now packed and ready for lunch
The girls always love taking school lunches. Jake and I picked up these cute little bento boxes while we were visiting India. The girls love taking them in their lunches to school.
A few weeks ago Karlie told me that she loves it when I pack her lunch. Last week Brina told me she would rather take a lunch to school everyday because she likes what I put into her bag, especially when I stick in a special surprise. Taking the time to pack lunches for the kids really does mean a lot to them.
Lunch Box Meal
- Sliced Pork Roast with sauteed Apple Slices
- Cinnamon Applesauce
- Wild Rice
- Fresh Green Beans (steamed)
- Water Bottle
Bento box goodies – pork with sauteed apples, applesauce, wild rice, and fresh steamed green beans
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Packing up a lunch for the kids
The girls get out of school on today for Christmas Break! It is hard to believe that today is their last day of school of 2012. They will start back up shortly after New Years Day 2013! This year has flown by so quickly. I have so much to be thankful for this year. It has been a year packed full of amazing memories, while there were some tough moments and days, the blessings far outweigh the inconviences.
Lunch Box Meal
- Hotdog in a Bun
- Fresh Kiwi (fresh our friends Kiwi tree!)
- Fresh Carrots
- Guacamole Chips
- Small Bag Flavored Marshmallows
- Homemade Christmas Candy Pieces (with Sprinkles of course)
- Wild Cherry Juice Bag
Hot Dog in a bun
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Packing the school lunches
How is possible we are almost halfway through December! Are you ready for Christmas? I find myself rushing to get the girls lunches packed and ready the night before with all the extra activities going on this Season. While it is really busy it is very important that the kids continue to eat healthy. There are days when I think it would be easier to have them eat at school, but since I have one with food allergies and I have no idea how much they are eating or exactly what they have ate it probably would be more complicated in the long run.
Lunch Box Meal
- Homemade Roast Beef Sandwich
- Fresh Red Plums
- Fresh Green Beans
- Fresh Broccoli Straws
- Fruity Raisins or Mott’s Pomegranate Applesauce
- Peach Yogurt
- Fit & Active Blueberry Fruit Strip
- Animal Crackers or Ritz Bitz Peanut Butter Crackers
- Vanilla & Chocolate Oreos
- Sweet Tart
- Strawberry Kiwi Juice Bag
Fresh red plums, fresh green beans, and roast beef sandwich
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
A rainbow on a cloudy day always brings a smile!
I really didn’t plan to have the two rainbows match up, but it turned out pretty well. The girls always enjoy seeing the new chalkboard note or drawing. One day I had appointments all day and an event in the evening so Daddy put together the girls lunches. He left up the picture from the previous day and they definitely noticed. Although, he did put an extra “surprise” they were happy about in their lunches.
Homemade pizza, Raisins, Pistachios, Chocolate Fudge Coconut Oreos, Mixed-Berry Fruit, and more!
Lunch Box Meal
- Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
- Mixed-Berry Freeze Dried Fruit
- Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows
- Pistachios
- Cheese & Peanut Butter Crackers or Animal Crackers
- Jelly Beans
- Chocolate Fudge Coconut Oreos
- Regular or White Raisins
- KoolAid Jammers Tropical Fruit Punch
Festival ziplock bags make the lunch even more fun for the kids!
I was able to pick up some Snowman bags at the Dollar store to use for the girls lunches. The first day I put them into their lunches they came home excited about the neat “Christmas” bags. Sometimes it is the little stuff that makes a big difference.
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Chalkboard notes to my sweet girls!
The girls lunches are all packed up and ready to be taken to school. Today Brina’s says “Have a super day!” and Karlie’s “Have a great day!” Even though it takes an extra minute or two of my time to write a note or draw a picture it is so worth it.
Lunch box goodies!
Lunch Box Meal:
- Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Fresh Broccoli
- Fresh Carrots
- Fresh Snow Peas
- Fresh Plum Slices
- Fruit & Grain Mixed Berry
- Madagascar Fruit Snacks
- Ritz Snack Mix or Animal Crackers
- Strawberry Yogurt
- Mini Oreo’s or Chocolate Cream Cookies
- Water Bottle with 3/4 Water and 1/4 Fruit Juice
Fresh veggies, Chicken Salad Sandwich, and more!
Love hearing the girls comments to the various notes and drawings. Sometimes after an exhausting day it is hard to come up with a creative message but it’s the thought that counts more than anything else, right. What creative notes, drawings, or messages do you put in your kids lunch?
November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Day 21)
As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough. The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).
It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day. For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge. It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days. Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.
Note: Thanksgiving week I had to group a couple items together into one day since we had a full schedule and we were seeing some of the people we want to thank on the same day. Although in the list they will be separate. Thanks!
Day 21
Who: Classmates
The girls spend several hours a day at school so they have had a lot of time to get to know the people in their class. Thankfully the both enjoy school and their classmates are also their friends. As a way to say “thanks” for being my friend today they took cupcakes to school to share with their classmates.
Day 20
Who: Tutor
As you have seen from previous days we have a little one that has some challenges due to dyslexia, therefore, we have been going to a tutor. Her tutor is awesome! She takes the time to not only work with her one-on-one and give us ways that we can help here as well but she finds ways to motivate her. Our kids love animals and she takes the time to share about her pets too. Some days we even have enough time for the girls to give her horses a treat. They always love getting a chance to spend a few extra minutes with animals. Today, we gave our tutor a bag of carrots and a thank you note. After lessons today we brought some carrots out so the horses could have a treat.
Day 19
Who: School Teachers
Since they only have a couple days of school this week with the Thanksgiving Holiday the girls delivered their Thanksgiving gifts to their teachers today (Monday). The girls took thank you cards and some sweet treats to give to their teachers today.
