Beyond PB&J

Just two more days until the first day of school!! I cant wait, and neither can my girls. Theyre already antsy, and talking about what theyre going to wear the first, second and third and fourth days! Crazy kids...

With back to school coming, thoughts of lunches swirl through my head. Its always a challenge to feed them creatively and healthily, and still get them to eat what Ive packed in their lunch boxes. Not to mention, most days half their lunch comes back home! There just is not enough time for them to enjoy a lunch because, lets face it, who wants to eat for half an hour when they could be playing instead? Food is scarcely eaten, and what is eaten is scarfed down faster than you can say "pb&j"! Forget the grapes or carrot sticks, their going to eat the sweet and salty stuff before they even notice the good for you stuff. And the school lunches that are served just make me cringe! So whats a mom to do?

Make it short and sweet. A little bit goes a long way, especially when youre trying to give them nutrition along with quickness. Pack a little of everything- a little main event, a little fruit, a little veggie, and a little treat. If youve got a crust free sandwich eater, cut the sandwich into shapes that interests your child, so they arent wasting half the sandwich pulling the crust off and its interesting enough that they will WANT to eat it. Give them a little variety too; include colors that appeal and shapes that tantalize.

Here are some great lunch box ideas to get you started!

Sandwich Art

Lady Bugs on a Stick

PB&J Blossoms

Snail Snack Sandwich

Abc Noodle Soup

I love the idea of reusable ANYTHING and these are perfect for kids lunches:

Reusable Sandwich and lunch bags, from Graze Organic

 Ive been kicking around the idea of making some reusable sandwich bags for awhile now, and these are incredibly inspirational.


Speaking of back to school, my count down was a hit! The girls loved getting their little treats out of the tubes, which were tied with red string. The last two days have nothing inside, because they dont fit, but its actually got them guessing. Seems like every couple hours theyre asking what it is. Heres my own (simple) version of the family fun toilet paper roll Back To School countdown:

Stay tuned for my banana "syrup" and pictures from Back to School!

Back to School

 Back to school is always a little bittersweet. Youre happy to see your kids sweet little faces all day, but you experience a little thrill when they go back to school too. And who doesnt love back to school shopping?? I know I do...I get a little excited just from buying the packs of pencils, crayons and new lunch boxes! Not to mention the clothes for the little darlings...

And my newest little thrill? Back to school decorating! With one short day of special treats and a week long countdown, I add a few extra special touches to my home, for my kids.

Sort of....maybe just a teensy bit for myself, too. Shhhh!

Our week long count down starts tomorrow, and I usually use an "apple" chain, made from red card stock cut in apple shapes about the size of my hand, and use news paper for the numbers glued to the front. Each day the kids would take an apple off the chain, and behind the apple would be a simple thing written, like "Time for a trim!" and a new pack of ponies would be attached, or, " Pack those Bags!" and we would get out the back packs and pack them up.

But this year I found something new to do! Im going to re-create this idea from family fun to make it my own, but I couldnt help loving the idea!!


For ours, Im going to cover the tubes with news print, use a tape measure to wrap around the tubes for the numbers, cut little red apple shapes and hang from the tubes and write a little saying with black marker. In the tubes will be little "treats" relating to each saying. Pony tail rings, eraser caps, pencils, sharpeners....the last day will have something extra special in it, just havent decided quite yet what it will be. Once I get it finished, Ill post pics and what I wrote and put in the tubes.

 

The first day of school is a day filled with anticipation. Will my friends be in my class? Will I like my teacher? So why not make it as special as possible? Use the whole day to relieve some of the stress on them, by using school themed treats, like these, to send in to their class, or for after school.

 I just loved these from my friend Brittanie over at cupcakes kisses 'n' crumbs, but not sure where she found these ideas!



Then, for a few added touches:
* "graded" pancakes-pancakes shaped like the grade your child is entering. Use a baster and fill with your mix (might not be a good idea to use fruit inside!) and on a hot griddle, quickly scribble the grade, connecting the "st, rd, th's" to the number. For kinders, use a "K".
* cut out apple shapes, pencil shapes, number and letter shapes, any kind of school related shapes in bread for french toast, and/or sandwiches
* fill an empty tin can with reular brown pencils and wooden rulers, and use as a center piece for the dining table, and core apples and place little t-lights in them. Rub a lemon around the cut to prevent browning.
* if you can find some school related fabric, use for a table cloth, napkins or in a bread basket.
* cut up a fabric tape measure, or if you get lucky some ribbon like one, and use as napkin ring holders
* cut out some school shapes and letter shapes from card stock to make a banner to hang by the dining table.

These are all things I do for the first day of school. I change it up each year and add a few different elements, but my kids always feel good about leaving, and are excited to come home and see their treats!

Happy Back to School!!