Weekend Organization and an Impromptu Photo Shoot ;)

So, we made a trip to Lowe's this weekend and purchased some things to get organized!  I totally meant to do a before and after but my sweet hubby and grandpa were just too quick for me.  They totally beat me in the laundry room!  and I was too tired to lift my camera by the time we got to Bubby's bedroom. 

The problem was we had toys EVERYWHERE!!  We had a huge tub in the living room and a huge tub in Bubby's bedroom.  We started by getting rid of about half of those toys.  Then Cody put together this little book shelf/toy bin for Clancy's room.  I love it!!  It is the perfect height for him and I'm hoping now he won't drag EVERYTHING out in search for some buried treasure!  We shall see how it goes.   BTW...do not attempt this with the (almost) 2 year old in the room.  He takes it out faster than you can put it in!

And here is the Laundry Room.  Picture this wall bare.  That was the before.  They installed this awesome shelving system to hold the overflow from my cabinet in there.  I adore it too!  I was able to get rid of the rolling clothes hanger I had in there, and now maybe, just maybe, I can actually fold clothes on the counter in there!!

Next up is a Sunday-morning-on-the-way-out-the-door-for-church-impromptu-photo-shoot.  I needed to snap a picture of Kylee for a school project so I could print it while we were in town for church.  Well, Clancy has decided he now needs in EVERY picture I take (which I love!).  So that prompted the following adorable photos. ENJOY!

1st Grade Bento #6 - Gig Em!

I finally broke out the Aggie cutter last night.  I had to after seeing Shannon's Longhorn Bento!!  I tried to cut out some pepperoni letters but it wasn't working too well.  I was tired, so I gave up.

2 "Gig Em" Cheese Quesadillas

the LAST of the leftover Crayon Preztels

Broccoli

Ranch

Olive Ring

and Strawberry Hearts

WHOOP!

Lunch Revolution Blog Party and 1st Grade Bento #5 - The Sandwich Box

I am linking this post up to the Lunch Revolution Blog Party!

Fed up with Lunch and Notes from the Cookie Jar are hosting this event.  I just thought it would be fun to join and share my lunch ideas!  Here are the questions they want answered:

• 
  
  How is "Back to School" going for your family?  Back to School is going great for us!  Things are actually way more organized and we are all getting more sleep!  Kylee is enjoying her new teacher and Clancy is enjoying his new little school!
• 
  
  Is school lunch an important part of your child's day?  Of course!  This is when she gets recharged for the remainder of her school day. 
• 
  
  What is school lunch like at your child's school?  Well, I have only been up to her school for lunch one time last year.  I don't remember what they had for lunch that day (because I brought pizza for Kylee) but I thought it looked fairly decent for school lunch.  Kylee enjoys eating in the cafeteria, but I also enjoy packing her lunch.
• 
  
  Does school lunch need to be reformed?  Yes.  As for what I have seen on tv and blogs, I believe alot of schools definately need a lunch "makeover."
• 
  
  Do you pack lunch for your kids and what do you pack?  Yes.  I pack bentos for my daughter.  I usually pack some type of sandwich.  This is because she LOVES sandwiches and also because they do not have access to heat up their food.  (I plan to get a thermos asap and try to change it up a bit!)  I do try to change up the sandwich bread, serving sliders, tortillas, etc.  I always try to have a fresh fruit and a fresh veggie in there too.  Tomatoes and broccoli are her favorites, but we are working on trying new things.  She loves strawberries, apples, oranges, and pineapple for her fruit.  I also try to pack something with some crunch to it, like goldfish, pretzels, etc.
• 
  
  Do you write notes in your kid's lunches and what do you write?  Yes I do.  She is only in 1st Grade, so right now I keep it simple:  I love you, Have a great Day, I miss you, Hugs and Kisses.  I want to write lunchbox jokes next year maybe!
• 
  
  What are some great beverages for kids and adults?  We pack water every day.  I think getting enough water is very important for kiddos, especially when its 100 degrees outside!  I would like to try some of the V8 type drinks to get more veggies in, but I dont know how that will go over.
• 
  
  How much time should kids get to eat lunch?  I think 30 minutes is a good time.  I wish it was about 45 minutes, but that would just make the school day even longer. 
• 
  
  What are some products that you use when you pack lunch?  Nutella, Peanut Butter, and Light Ranch for dips, Cheese (usually Cojack) cut into shapes, Fresh fruits and veggies are a staple in our lunches, granola bars, muffins, fruit leather, pepperonis, black olives.

My goal for this new school year:  To explore new foods.  I actually don't eat half the things that I try to get my kiddos to eat.  I know, pathetic.  I am a pretty picky eater.  And I think we should lead by example, so that is my goal for this year.  Feel free to check on me every once in a while ;)!

I hope you have found this information informative!  Please check out the rest of the posts joining the Lunch Revolution Blog Party!

and now for a bento...

So I decided to try my hand at fitting a bento lunch in a sandwich box.  Verdict:  I didn't do so well.  Maybe it was because I was trying to fit some leftover Crayon Pretzels in there.  I don't know.  The problem is, I can no longer use my daughter's Laptop Lunchbox :(.  She wanted to use her new Zebra/Peace Sign backpack and lunchbox this year and it just doesn't quite fit :(.  It was my total favorite.  SO...its going to take me a while to figure out my favorite box(es).  Just bear with me ;)

Today she is having:

Turkey Slider

Leftover Crayon Pretzels

Orange Slices

and Grape Tomatoes.

1st Grade Bento #4 and more!

Another 1st Grade Bento:

Cheese Quesadillas

Turkey Kabobs

Ranch

Carrots

and Nectarine

And a Workin Momma's Bento:

Turkey and Cheese Sandwich

Carrots and Nectarine

Still not very awake...

Better Mom?

Kylee said no one looked at her lunch yesterday in the cafeteria.  I told her thought that was what she wanted?  She said no, I want them to "look", just not to "stare." Silly girl.

Its almost the weekend.  I am looking forward to it.  We have no plans and the Hubs will be off, so we will be a complete family of four on Saturday AT HOME! and did I mention NO PLANS?!  Im excited!

Breakfast Bento for Dinner

Last night our little church had our first Wednesday night service.  It was great.  By the time we got home it was almost 8oclock, so while the Hubs threw together some sandwiches, I made Bubby a breakfast bento for dinner.  He is not a big sandwich eater.

Sausage Bites

Hard Boiled Egg

Banana

Nutella Pancakewiches ;)

all packed in half of the Dr Sears Nibble Tray.

1st Grade Bento #3 - Slider

Sorry for the picture quality.  I was lazy and didn't get my camera out again.  I will try to do better!

Today's 1st Grade lunch consists of:

A Turkey, Cheese and Mustard Slider

Alphabet CheezIts

Black Olive and Grape Tomatoe Kabobs

Blueberry Muffin

and some Reeses Pieces

Kylee told me afterschool yesterday to stop making her bentos!  She says EVERYONE in the lunchroom has to come check out her food as soon as she sits down.  LOL!

Also, I am participating in What's For Lunch Wednesday again today so be sure and check it out!

1st Grade Bento #2 - Dino Adventure

Green Dino Egg

Broccoli Tree

Turkey and Mustard Dinowich

String Cheese

Leftover Crayon Pretzels

Grape Tomatoes

Ranch Dip

Choco Pudding with Dino Sprinkles

all packed in the Dino Dips Box.

and a pic of them on their 2nd day of school....

(they weren't quite awake)

My First Muffin Tin...Monday

Here is my first attempt at a Muffin Tin Meal.  The hubs wasn't home last night and I wasn't very hungry, so I thought I'd give it a try for the kiddos...

This weeks theme was "ABC's."

Top Row A - Apples and Asaparagus

Middle Row B - Banana and Nutella Wrap and Broccoli w/Ranch

Bottom Row C - Carrots w/Ranch and Cheese and Salami Stars

I submitted this on Muffin Tin Mom's "Muffin Tin Mondays."  Check out all the submissions here.

She made it home!

First Day of School...with a Bento!

Today is Kylee's first day in 1st Grade!  She was so excited.  I am sure she will have a wonderful day!  Clancy also started his new school this morning.  He walked right in and started playing with new friends.  Here are some pics of the big morning...

Back to School Bento:  Crayon Pretzels, Ham and Mustard Tablet-wich, Oreo Stick Pencil, Laffy Taffy Pink Eraser, Blue Marker String Cheese, Ranch, Carrots and Pickles, and Apples all packed in a Plastic Pencil Box of course! 

Kylee, 1st Grade

Clancy, 21 months

My school kids with their backpacks!

Dad, Clancy, and Kylee walking into Kylee's school.

At her desk

Kylee working away.

Clancy walking to his new class.

Clancy making new friends.

They were all peaking out the window, but I wasn't fast enough!

I hope everyone has a wonderful school year!

Shared as part of Whats For Lunch Wednesday!

Meet the Teacher

I can't believe my baby girl is going to 1st grade!  Last night we went to Meet the Teacher.  She was so excited.  She loved that her teacher has a Zebra print door!

Kylee in front of her classroom door.

Kylee and her teacher, Mrs. Ament

Kylee giving her teacher a gift, a book for her classroom.

At her new desk.  She was really excited that they have their very own desks this year.

Visting her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bell.

Kylee, Ella Jo, and Mrs. Bell

Kylee in the brand new Library reading area

Kylee checking out the books in the new library.

Kylee didn't want to leave school last night.  She just wanted to stay in her class!  I hope this attitude continues all year!!  I am very excited for her and know that she will have a great year!

Bubby's Dinner Bento and Workin Momma's Snack Bento

Last night we had leftover enchiladas and apparently I bought "medium" sauce instead of "mild" sauce, so I had to come up with an alternative dinner for Bubby.  I finally broke out my Dr Sears Nibble Tray and I love it!!  The photos are a little blurry because I couldn't locate my card for my camera last night and he was screaming for food, so I had to take a quick shot!

Peanut Butter, Yogurt, and Nutella for dipping, Graham Crackers, Grapes, Strawberries, Cojack Cheese cubes, Peas, and Cheese Quesadillas.

And here is my snack bento for today packed in my new box from the Target $1 bin:

Grapes, Strawberries, and Yogurt for dipping!

This post is part of Whats For Lunch Wednesday!

Bento Storage

Next on to Bento Storage...

First up, the picks, etc.  I got this box at WalMart in the Fishing section.  It was around $5.  I like that you can move the dividers around however you want to.

Here is another view with the lid closed.  It closes securely so that you can store it however you want without worrying that the picks will move around.

This box that holds my silicone cups, etc is from Target.  I believe it was around $4-$5 also.  I wanted a box with dividers, but didn't have much luck finding one that would work.

Here it is with the lid on.  No idea why blogger rotated it that way when I uploaded it, but I can't figure out how to flip it.  This one has to remain upright to keep them all in place.

Just another view of the depth of this box.

I keep my mini cutters in a regular tupperware box.

All my sandwich cutters are in this big box from Target.  I think it was $6-$8.

They fit for now.  Im sure I will purchasing a new one soon.

And here is a shot of the cabinet where my Bento Boxes are stored.

I like to keep them up above the counter...but my boxes of picks, silicone cups, and cutters are stored in the cabinet under my counter.

Other Bento Blog's on storage (click their link to read their whole post!):

Bento for Kidlet

Crouching Mother, Hidden Toddler

Muffin Tin Mom

What's for Lunch at our House

I hope you find this post helpful!  Thanks for stopping by!  Maybe next I'll go more in depth on my picks! Stay tuned!