1st Grade Bento #11 - Kabobs!

Strawberry Kabob

Grape Kabob

Cheese and Salami Kabobs

Pickle and Carrot Kabobs

and CheezIts!

I linked this post up to Whats For Lunch Wednesday!

Be sure to check out the "Super Cute" Giveaway at Muffin Tin Mom!

1st Grade Bento #10

Grape Kabobs

Cracker Minis

Salad w/ carrots and tomatoes

Cheese Flowers

Ranch

and a Ham and Mustard Sandwich Thin

Our Labor Day

We had a nice weekend, cleaning out and organizing more around the house.  It was nice, not to have to leave my house Saturday.  Sunday morning I taught my first Sunday School class and it went great.  Then came Labor Day.  As soon as Clancy woke up Monday, Cody insisted that I take him to the dr to make sure he didn't have an ear infection or something.  He has been suffering from horrible allergies the last couple of weeks and just been extra fussy.  We had to rush to get to the appointment since we live 30 miles away and the only appt I could get was in an hour.  As we turned off the highway to turn into the clinic, I hear him doing his usually cough/gag.  And then it comes.  Vomit EVERYWHERE.  And guess who didnt have an extra set of clothes/blanket ANYTHING with me?  Yeh. Lovely.  It was exactly 5 minutes before our appointment time.  I didn't know what to do.  So, of course, I called my Mommy! :)  She says, clean him up and take him in and ask for a gown.  I did, felt really weird carrying him past everyone in the waiting room in only a diaper, and they gave me a gown for him.  The dr figured the vomiting episode was just from the coughing and he changed his allergy medicine.  Hopefully it will make a difference.  When we got back out to the truck (I had just sat his car seat in the bed of the pickup), luckily I had Kylee's convertible booster seat that still has the 5 point harness hooked up.  My Mom was at work at HEB down the street was was able to buy a shirt for him.  So I stuck it on him and headed in to WalMart for shorts.  We were already in Temple and I needed to grocery shop and pick up Freddi, so I hated to drive all the way home and come back.  Anyways.  It all worked out.  Kids do some embarrassing things sometimes, but we get through it. ;)  I meant to take an updated blackeye picture for you all.  Its looking better!  Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  Oh, and I almost forgot, Kylee made a 100 on her very first Spelling Test!  I am SO proud of her!

Clanc in the lovely gown ;)

First Grade Bento #9 - Pizza Lunchable

We did some major damage at the grocery store yesterday.  I actually had to have 2 carts to get it all out in.  Kylee really wanted a Pizza Lunchable, so I told her we would make one, since we already had all the ingredients for it.

Sandwich Thin cut into pizza slices for the crust

Pepperonis

Mozzerella Cheese

Pizza Sauce

Strawberries

Salad with carrots and tomatoe

and Ranch in the Blue heart container that fit perfectly on top of the salad!

I linked this post up with Whats For Lunch Wednesday!

Muffin Tin Monday - No Theme!

Last night we were going to grill some chicken, but Cody and I weren't too hungry.  So, I threw a Muffin Tin Meal together for the kiddos.  Later, I decided I would try a Fluffernutter sandwich for the First Time!  I know, I know, where have I been?  It was DeLiCiOuS!!!

So, all at Kylee's request, they had:

Salami

Cojack Cheese

Strawberries

Grapes

and Marshmallows.

Check out more Muffin Tin Meals here.

1st Grade Bento #8 - Lunchables! and an update

Kylee wanted a lunchable for lunch today.  I REALLY need to go to the grocery store, so this was about all we had.  I had zero fruit :(.

Pepperoni flowers, Cheese tulips, Crackers, a Granola bar, Broccoli and Ranch 

We are headed to Lifeway and Hobby Lobby this evening after work to prepare for my first Sunday School class as a teacher!  Im so excited!  So I packed Clancy this "negative" bento to tide him over until we got home for supper tonite.

Crackers, Pepperoni, and Cheese

And here is an updated pic of my little guy's battle wound.

Here is Freddi Jo all jazzed up for Football Friday.

And of course Clancy had to be in the pic!

1st Grade Bento #7 - Sushi and an excuse

Last night I thought I'd try my hand at some faux sushi!  It looked so good, that I made myself the same thing this morning!  I can't wait for lunch time!

Faux Sushi rolls (Bread, cream cheese, turkey, mozzerella, pickle and carrot)

Orange and Strawberry slices

Tomatoes

Black Olives

and Chocolate Pudding with sprinkles

and then she remembered it was Pizza Day in the cafeteria, so this turned in to Dad's lunch! ;)

Shared as part of Whats For Lunch Wednesday!

Now for my "excuse" for not making a bento yesterday.  We got home on Monday and night with one fussy little Bubby.  He's had some pretty bad allergies for the last couple of weeks, and just been a little extra clingy.  I needed to get supper cooked and the dishes washed and Kylee was studying spelling words.  SO, for the first time ever, I sat him up on the counter beside me as I was doing dishes.  I know, I know.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!  Everything was going fine, until I turned to look at Kylee's spelling word progess and thats when it happened.  He took a nose dive off the counter, hitting the floor face first with his body going over backwards.  It looked HORRIBLE.  I picked him up and assessed him.  No blood, no broken bones.  We went to the couch and Kylee called Cody.  He immediately came home.  Clancy was just trying to go to sleep immediately after it happening with crying in between.  We decided we should take him to the ER to have him checked out.  We checked in and had a seat.  Clancy was still silent and sleepy (and hour later).  I dont think I can even begin to go into the service we received at this ER.  One word: PATHETIC.  About an hour and a half later, (still waiting) Clancy started talking and laughing and walking around.  So, 2 hours after we arrived, we got up and announced we were leaving.  Did they care? No. (BTW, I guarantee you it would have been atleast 2 more hours before we were seen.) Thats enough of that before I go into a rant.  Here are some pics...

Eating supper after leaving the ER without service.

Today

Today again (its even uglier than the pics show)

Moral of the story, NEVER put your kids on the counter.  I know, DUH.  But sometimes we just do things, that later we would say DUH about.  I am so thankful God was watching over my precious little boy.

P.S.  Want to enter some great Giveaways?  Check out iCreate and A Pocket Full of Buttons!

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!