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

Kindergarten

The night before the big day was upon us.

I was a nervous wreck, but hid it well.

Would she cry?

Would she get off the bus and cry?

How is she going to get to her classroom

Will the children be nice?

How the heck is she going to get on the RIGHT bus, and make it home?

I just had to rely on the wonderful teachers and students at her school, and my faith.. to get me through every hour.. 

I wasnt sure what she would like for lunch, but her lunch time was at 12:30..and she was leaving the house at 7:30, with one snack in between. I was scared she wouldnt have enough.

So Day 1:

Goldfish Pretzels, Snow Peas, Cheesestick, Organic Turkey Roll Ups, and a Giant Frosted Apple Cookie. I didnt show her any of her lunch, I wanted the cookie to be a big surprise for her.

One of my hopes was that with kindergarten, everyones schedules would be pushed up earlier and earlier, which is what has happened over the week. I woke up around 6:30, after tossing and turning all night in fear of being late for the first day

I quickly put together a chalkboard sign (almost forgot)!!!

I literally snapped a few pics, and she was already hopping on the bus, no tears, complete confidence, and waving goodbye to us, smiling from ear to ear. 

We got to share this moment with her, bot Daddy and I, because Andrew was still deep in dreamland.

And just like that, my baby was gone.

I had to let go and trust that she would be okay and taken care of ... by people I had only met once, or never even met before. The tears were starting to come to surface. I dont know how the hell I kept them back, I suppose it was her confidence, and her excitement. 

I knew she'd be fine. But still, all my worst fears and awful thoughts were swirling in my brain.. naturally... crazy, nervous Mom. ha!

SO ... what do we do all day???

I woke up Andrew, and fed him some bacon and cereal. 

We needed milk, so he and I quickly ran to Wegmans, and on the way I may have drove past her school, you know, just to make sure it wasn't burning in flames, or being surrounded by the SWAT team.... (nervous mama... all day I tell ya)

Then we came home and ... 

We were off to the park. I wasn't brave enough to go to far from our house, so we walked. 

I couldn't help but notice how much lighter the wagon was that day, and how eerily quiet it was..

I missed her.. and I was a little sad.

I fought back tears all day..

I know this is part of her growing up, but part of that hurt.

Andrew and I had a nice little morning. 

He went down for a nap around 12:30, and I kept watching the clock, watch, phone ... just waiting til drop off time. 

I waited outside probably 25 minutes before the actual bus came.

My baby!!!
I gave her THE biggest hug ever!

She was home, and safe, and I was so happy.

She was so happy as well, which continued to ease my worry.

Day 1 was in the books.

She told me about some friends she made, and ate ALL of her lunch I packed.

She did so much by herself, I was amazed. This girl was a big ball of tears when she was 3 and 4 going into school...but not this year. This year she suddenly grew up.. and changed so much in just a few months. I am so so incredibly proud of her. 

Kindergarten is going to be great 

Samantha's First Field Trip Day

This morning Big Sister had her FIRST field trip.

First time on a big yellow school bus.

She was off to the Great Pumpkin Farm ...and Mama and Lil Guy had the morning to ourselves.

This is a little preview of next year I believe, when my big girl will be in the big K all day... (holding back tears...)

 

So Andrew and I headed to the grocery store... and since it was just us.. I treated him one of his favorite things to do... Open and close the freezer doors... we stood there for about 7 minutes.

We took a long stroll together

He is becoming the most precious little boy, something I feel so blessed about, and Im constantly looking up to God and thanking him. He's my total shadow. ALL DAY LONG... "Mama... Mama..."

He's coming into his own.

Finding creative ways to play

He plays so well by himself too, and he (we think) is pretty damn smart. Just the motor skills, and memory observation we've witnessed.

So lil brother went down for a nap, and Daddy was home working that day..

So I hurried up to the school to pick up my big girl..

 

The bus had just pulled in...

I walked towards the front of the bus when I heard a knock on the window.

There she was in the last seat, waving and grinning from ear to ear!

I was so relieved...

She had a great time she said.

I wish I could have been there! ... Or just watching somehow ... 

Big and Proud.

With a pumpkin in hand for her little brother



After her big morning, I took her to one of our favorite spots..

Panera...



 

We had a little cookie/smoothie/cupcake girls only date.

 

Can you tell she enjoyed herself?

I love one on one time with my kids.

And today I got to have both

First Day of Pre-K! {Samantha}

My big girl.

All ready for Pre-K

We headed outside before our drive to school for a little photog session.

Brother joined...naturally.

Sometimes when I ask her to smile, she tries too hard.. haha...

When we got to school we found her cubby with her name and hung up her backpack and waited for the door to open, we were a little early. 

She walked right in .. no tears, and was happy as a clam when I picked her up.

We had got her a few goodies after she got home from her first day.

A Disney Princess Art Set, a Hello Kitty Cookie Kit & some Glow Sticks

 

Im writing this post after day 2, and she was even more comfortable today. 

When I went to pick her up I could hear her little voice playing with her new friends. I spied through the door and she was so engaged and happy.... 

I am so releived.. Last year was a rough start... 

I think she is going to have a great year.  

Looking back at her very first day of school ever.. HERE... she is so big compared to last year...They certainly do grow up so fast. To me, she just looks like such a baby in last years pics.

'Twas the Night Before Pre-Kindergarten

Twas The Night Before Pre-K

NOT Preschool... Pre-K.

The grade before Kindergarten... and until today it hadn't really sunk in.. and Im a little sad.

The lazy days of summer are over, the days where we have such fun things to do, or we spend the day in our pajamas, and hop from room to room having fun.

 

I went for my morning run (hadn't gone in a while)... and so I was feeling human again after a couple miles in the books.

We were having some family over for Labor Day, and I made these cute red, (sort of white) and blue sushi. Daddy was cooking ribs on the grill and they smelled so good.

I finally got my act together and set out all the school gear.

Labeled everything and packed her little backpack.. My baby is going to school...and not just a 2 hour glorified playtime twice a week, but real school ... every day.. with morning journals, and testings, and goals, and I am so so grateful that she got accepted into this program, but at the same time.. its one of the first times its really hitting home that she is growing up..

Okay back to the non -emotional part of the day.. ha!

We had an all American dinner.

Ribs, Corn on the Cob,

Deviled Eggs, and Dessert was cake and candy sushi!

We decided to be twins today... She truly is my mini-me, and I am so proud of her.

The little guy wanted to try corn with us at dinner tonight.

Whatever sister does, he does.. so that's fine if she is encouraging him to EAT! ha!

Oh, and under that Band-Aid? That would be 6 stitches.

We had a rough rough week last week.



I know this week is going to be better.

Its back to school time!

Soaking it All In

Here's what we've been doing in the last few weeks.

Summer is coming to a close quickly. A few schools & family members around the country have already started school.. we begin next week.

So we've been trying to enjoy every day, and squeeze in some fun things before we get back into our routine.

 

Ballet came to an end a few weeks ago.

The parents got to watch the final class.

There's my girl in the blue .... doing her own thing.. while all the other girls chose pink and purple.

I was a proud Mama for this.

 

 

Of course little brother just loooved watching...

He was pretty good.. he was even mimicking what the teacher was telling the girls to do. He is hysterical .. every.single.day.

Our summer garden fell victim to a lot of night rainfalls.. with little chance to dry out, thus, a lot of crops did not do to well.. mostly the tomatoes.. but we still have lots of celery, carrots, onions, herbs galore, and tons and tons of peppers of all varieties. Im hoping to make Jalapeno Popper Dip soon with our homegrown jalapenos

 

We have about 10 sunflowers lining our backyard fence, they all opened within the last 2 weeks, and they are so beautiful

We celebrated my lil sis's upcoming wedding with a beautiful bridal shower at my Aunt's house

The favors were adorable.. homemade jam.. so. good!!!

Samantha got to attend with me, she was so happy. She loved "helping" Aunt Shauna open all her presents & collect the wrapping..

More beautiful flowers in bloom in our backyard.

School Supply Shopping with SJ.

She had a list of things needed for this year. One of them was a notebook for writing which I am so excited to see as the year goes on. The program she is in is a very progressive one, which I a excited for. It should be a great prep for Kindergarten next year.

 

We picked up the traditional Tissues, Wipes, Folder, Notebook, and little school shoes that I think are so cute! And, the cherry on top, Mama even got a planner too! The past few years I've ordered an Erin Condren planner. But I found this rainbow one at Walmart... yes Walmart... and its the perfect size, fits right in most of my day purses/diaper bags. And it was $3.50. Yes I'll take it. 

 

We got together with some friends from preschool for a playdate last week

This is one of Sassy's best friends from last year. They wont be in the same school this year, but I hope we can keep the girls connected

 

Little Fish.

Only swimming with little water wings.. she is so so comfortable and brave in Grammy's pool. Im so glad. She came a long way this year. Next year I bet she'll be almost swimming by herself.

 

We made a trip up to Lake Ontario this past weekend to a little town that has an adorable little kiddie carousel/amusement park. We packed a lunch and the kids did great... (im always worried about AG... he gets pretty worn out sometimes, and cranky) But he did great!

This was his first kiddie ride ever, and he loved it.

I told the girl operating it that she may have to stop the ride if he started screaming, or jumping ship.. but he sat there laughing and smiling.. and threw a fit when it was time to get off.. 

This little queen is a veteran.. she loves all the rides...

The kids had so much fun!

And another party... Samantha's friend from preschool turned 4 and all the girls got together for her birthday party. There were 4 girls all from her preschool there, and they all got along great.

Samantha busted open the pinata, and they were all collecting the candy loot 

comparing candy bags... ha!

And that's what we've been up to.

Labor Day is right around the corner, and then school right after that.. summer is over (tear*)

Until next year.. But I think this summer we had lots of fun and we have some great memories.

Fall is my favorite, I just hope its a LONG fall..