Samantha's Bento Lunches

Its no secret that I have loved making cute little lunches since Samantha started eating finger foods & started nursery school, etc.

So I was ready to go for Kindergarten this year, i'd say.
Bento lunches arent hard, or too time consuming.
Some may look at these lunches and say, how the heck do you find the time.
Seriously, if you have 15 minutes, you have time to make a bento lunch.

We had a tough time with separation with Samantha when she first started nursery school in 2012.

She cried every day, and was so scared, that I ended up in the classroom, nursing Andrew & staying until she felt comfortable enough. We almost pulled her out of school, but she/we stuck with it, and in the end it was good for her. 

Last year in her UPK program which was every day, it was a little easier...although there were tears as well.

So with Kindergarten being such a huge change.. and knowing all these previous fears, I wanted to try to at least make part of her day cheerful & yummy... lunch. Its my way of being there for her I guess, since I cant be. Showing her how much I love her, and make her day go smoothly.

(above)

Organic Juice, Ham Bites, Colby Cheese Cubes, Pumpkin Granola Bar, Mini Carrots, Ritz & Fall M&M

(above)

Grape Skewers, Colby Jack Cubes, Leftover Steak, Carrots, Organic Honey Ham RollUps (We didnt think she'd eat leftover steak!) - But she ate BOTH meats that day.. ha! --- Pringles Tortillas & Pretzel Sticks, & Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting with googlie eyes

(above)

Whole Wheat Nutella Hearts, Apple Spice Granola Bar, Grapes & Baby Carrots, Raisins, Pumpkin Candy, Honey Ham & Oat Bran Sticks & GoGurt

(above)

Mini Pepperoni, Raspberries, Nutella Hearts, Princess Goldfish & Graduates Yogurt Melts (my kids love puffs and yogurt melts still..and thats okay by me!) & Gogurt

(above - PBK Bento Box)

Snap Peas, Farm picked Apple, Energy Bites, Organic Honey Turkey Skewers, Princess Goldfish & M&M's inside the hello kitty container

(above)

Pumpkin Pretzels, Mandarin Oranges, Fruit Roll Up, Honey Turkey, TJ's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Brownie Bites, Vanilla Milk

(above)

Organic Turkey, Ritz crackers, TJ's Yogurt Stars, Snap Peas & Baby Carrots, TJ's Pumpkin Joe Joe's & White Grape Juice

A Wedding to Remember



We left for a 6 day trip to Ohio last week.

I was in one of my very best friends from college's wedding.

I packed Sam a little bento lunch, as I've been doing lately.

We left around 9:30am.. and the kids were pretty good the whole way.

Thank god for DVD players.. that's all I have to say.

We entered the buckeye state... 

and then they were both out...



We unpacked, and then headed to the grocery store to get some food for us...

And maybe a souvenir to take home... 

The next day these two were best buds all.day.long. so cute

They are two weeks apart - both 4 and full of fire. 

And the lone prince of the family... He was so so so well behaved the entire trip.

Thursday evening I was off to the rehersal dinner.

Such a good time being with my friends from college.

It was such a great pre-party to an amazing wedding ...

A rare selfie

Friday we spent the day just relaxing.

I went for a run.

The cousins and family came over for some yummy Baka's fried chicken.



Wedding Day.



It was a bit dreary start to the morning.. much like our wedding was I believe..

But soon after it started to clear at all the right times.

 

We each got massages after our hair & before our makeup.

We had quite a nice pampering morning.

And then, just like that, she was a bride.

The most beautiful, stunning...I could go on and on...

The college 4.

I have so many wonderful memories with these girls.

Through my ups, downs, bad times, good times, boyfriends, brakeups, stupid things we've all done, and more..

We laughed and laughed all weekend, and it of course ended too soon.

I'll leave out some embarrassing and hysterical pics.. not sure who would want them shared with the world..ha...



The limo ride was as fun as the reception... and the photographer was a character

 

And just like that we danced, laughed, and the fabulous night had come to an end

We had a great weekend celebrating such a wonderful couple.

I hope you are sinking your toes into the warm white sand.

xoxo

 

 

 

Park Days

This week we were indeed "park junkies"
We were there 3 days in a row, and would have been there today too, but the rain kept us indoors.
I love packing cute little snack lunches.
I got to use my new LunchBots containers and I was very excited.

 



 This little thing knows just what to do at the park now, he knows what areas he likes, and enjoys the sandbox, and slides, he tries to climb everything and has no fear whatsoever... oh, asometimes he just wanders off and I have to sprint after him.. ahh my Andrew...

 

 

Little Miss Fearless... you wouldn't catch her doing this last year.. She's met a few new friends at the park, one whom is going to be 6 .. and she really gravitates towards the older kids.. and I think they make her more adventurous and brave.. which is good for her.. since she's cautious, which I like, but sometimes a little too cautious.

 

For a few days it was party of my routine, fixing cute bento lunches, and packing our swim gear, or extra clothes, diaper bag.. etc

 

She was insistent on wearing my headband like this.. and why not? She looks too damn cute to say no! ha!

 

We met a few friends at a new park on Wednesday.. and it was a steamy one..

This little guy gave me the signal when it was naptime.

 

We played for a little while at least!

 

It was good to see Miss Lucy, and new baby James too!

Lori, it was indeed TOO SHORT.. but hey.. that's how we have to roll with kids these days, right?

 

The next day we kept close to home, but went for a walk.. 

Always following his big sis...

 

While brother naps. She reads... she's trying SO SO hard to read.

She will be so proud of herself when she figures out what letter begins with a word.. and she'll run in and tell me.. MOMMA!!!... P starts with PIG!..haha.. and she says it just like that.



I've been having a lot of fun so far this summer with these kiddos..

We're knee deep in playdates, park dates, and being outside every day (when we can)

Im soaking it all in..

Happy Summer!

Park Day!

I can't remember the last time I was outside for more than 2 hours with the kids... Maybe because it was in 2012.... and that whole year is kind of a blur. I could have never successfully taken them multiple places or walked as far as we did this day.

 

It was about 65 and sunny.

We left the house at 10:15 and didn't return back until 1:30.

 



I packed some lunches.. which I love making little bento & fun lunches with cute shapes, packaging & containers.. I wanted an excuse to use my very cute new sandwich pouch from Target.. I think I need more.. they are too adorable and had more colors/designs.. ahhh I digress...

In the pouch: Peanut Butter & Honey on Wheat for Mama...

Apple for everyone to take bites

Ziploc "Bento": Hard Boiled Eggs, Carrot Sticks, Olive Oil Popcorn, Cheese Stick, cut up, and Cinnamon Schoolbook ABC cookies in the Glassine bag.

 

In the Dr Sears Pineapple Tray: Organic Pumpkin Snacks, Pretzel Chips, Grapes, PB Chips, Annie's Bunny Snacks, and Mini Nilla Wafers

 

If it looks pretty.. my kids eat better.. that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

First stop was Starbucks... I had promised a certain little lady last week that we'd rollerblade/stroller there for a Chocolate Milk... and we did... but Mama got all the way there and forgot her wallet...Mama brain.. SJ put the wallet in my purse this time before we left the house.. Glad she is thinking for me.. cause I clearly cannot !

 

Mr. Mr. fell asleep as we headed towards the park 

 

Lunch was a hit!

 

Swings

Slides

Bouncers

Sandbox... We made new friends, and played until we had to use the bathroom.. 

Headed home for Naps...

It was a fun long awaited outing.. the first of many