Easy Lunches

This is how we do lunch.

 

I use Easy Lunch Boxes and they … are easy

My 6-year-old started first grade this year, so this summer I was on the lookout for an easy way to do lunches. After looking around and reading reviews, I ordered 2 sets (4 containers to a set, so 8 altogether) of Easy Lunch Box containers and one of their insulated lunch bags from Amazon.

I actually enjoy putting together lunches in the morning. I send one with my 1st grader, and also make one for my 2 and 3-year-old while I’m at it. So come lunch time, they just run to the fridge, get their own lunch box and lunch is ready. I love it … and they love having special preschool lunch boxes.

    

Things I really like:

1. They are reusable. No plastic baggies to buy!
2. The containers have three sections, one is the perfect size for a sandwich, two smaller for sides. And they can hold a surprising amount of food if needed.
3. One lid covers all three sections. Easy!
4. The lids are secure (but not leak-proof on purpose) so my kids can take them off themselves.
   • TIP: I use a little Glad Press’n Seal if I put anything a little runny inside (like ketchup, yogurt or peaches with juice). Wax paper works too.
5. Three containers fit inside one lunch bag perfectly. Great for taking on a picnic or to soccer games. Otherwise, one lunchbox fits with plenty of room for extras and a drink.
6. I love the variety of meals I can send to school. All in one container. So easy.

Here are some of our lunches:

PB & Honey Sandwich, Squeezy applesauce, grapes, cookies	Mini weiner wraps w/ ketchup, watermelon, cheese cubes, cupcake
PB & jelly sandwich, chips, yogurt, pear slices	Turkey & cream cheese wraps, yogurt, trail mix
Meat & cheese sandwich, grapes, teddy graham crackers	Bagel w/ cream cheese, pretzels, raisins, mini marshmallows
PB & honey sandwich, red pepper sticks, applesauce cup, cookies	Mini cheese pizzas, apple slices, peanut butter dip, oreos
Macaroni & cheese, applesauce cup, trail mix	Homemade PB & jelly uncrustable, fruit salad, peanut butter ball, cookie
PB & honey sandwich, pear slices, cheese cubes, fruit loops	Cheese quesadillas, applesauce cup, chip and salsa
Nutella & honey sandwich, grapes, yogurt, cookies	Chicken tenders w/ ketchup, peanuts, applesauce cup, dots
Turkey & cheese sandwich, grapes, leftover apple crisp	PB & honey sandwich, cottage cheese, peaches, mini nilla wafers
Homemade lunchable w/ crackers, sliced cheese & turkey, applesauce, nutter butters	Banana bread muffins, red pepper sticks, pretzels, grapes, trail mix

 

This is where I got some of the extras:

• Sippy Juice Boxes … $1.99 each at K-Mart. Perfect size and they don’t leak! I’ve seen similar juice boxes here but they’re more expensive
• Light My Fire Sporks … come in a set of 4 here. Reusable spoon & fork in one. I’ve been very pleased with the design and durability.
• Silicone Muffin Cups … set of 12 similar to these. I found these red ones at Bed, Bath & Beyond. They carry other colors at Michaels & Jo-Ann. Perfect for dividing up the larger section. Love using them!
• Flexible Ice Mat … these fit perfectly in the bottom of the lunch bag but you can also cut them to whatever size you need. I throw them in the freezer at night and grab one in the morning. Available here.

P.S. I wasn’t paid to say any of this. I’ve just really enjoyed using Easy Lunch Boxes and wanted to pass it on

Preschool Plan for October

Here is my plan for preschool for the month of October. It’s so nice to have it all planned out and ready to go. Sometimes that’s the trickiest part!

The whole last week we will be having fun with Halloween activities and then we’ll start H the first week of November. I’ll probably pick and choose from what is listed each day. I hope to try lots of new Halloween activities (I’ve just recently discovered how fun Pinterest is!) and add them that week.

One other tip … I’m starting to collect empty cereal boxes, cake and brownie boxes, yogurt tubs, egg cartons, milk jugs, juice bottles … right NOW so that we’ll have lots of fun things to put in our pretend grocery store during G week.

To Print:

1. Click on the calendar below.
2. Click on the “Print” icon (top right)

You can also find each month over in the right sidebar. Feel free to email with any questions or great ideas you’d like to share! Happy October!

Preschool Plan for September

Hey Everybody!

It’s so fun to see over 100 followers! Wow, thank you. And thank you for all of your wonderful comments! Watch for a giveaway soon to celebrate!

Things are getting busy around here. School just started and our little newborn is a month old! (she’s beautiful) Four kids are keeping me busy, busy Just a heads up … I don’t plan on making regular posts on the weekends anymore. I’m sure every now and then I’ll put something up, but for now, just look forward to more preschool ideas as often as I can during the week!

We are having a ton of fun getting into preschool this year. I love the focus it gives our day and my kids love the undivided attention from mom.

I thought it might be helpful to some of you if I posted our plan for September. So I put together a calendar of our weeks and days for this month, along with some of the activities I plan to do with the kids. I’ll do this for each month, so feel free to use it.

Or download these CUTE free blank calendars from Anything But Perfect and fill in your own activities!

 

 

Magnetic Calendar

So this is how we keep track of all of the fun around here! I made this magnetic calendar about 5 years ago and have used it every day & month since then … WELL worth the effort it took to make it. It keeps me organized and the kids get excited because they know what to look forward to! Great to use as you start your N (for New Year and Numbers) week!

• I bought a piece of sheet metal 2’x2’ in size (from a local sheet metal place … they had no problem cutting it to size and only charged $5-$10). I like the large square size!
• Made a simple frame (from a piece of frame molding, cut 45 degree angles) and painted it.

• For the calendar numbers I used this rounded square graphic and the font Abscissa (click the font for a link to download). Just use whatever program you’re familiar with (I like Microsoft Publisher, but even Word works) and add the numbers centered in the middle.

• I used the same Abscissa font for the month names and days of the week … just resize how you like them.
• Then the fun part! … Use the same square above and add some cute clipart (I like using Microsoft Clipart because it’s free, EASY to download or copy and there is a lot to choose from).

• Add a label to the top or bottom and print them out. Here are some of the days we have … holidays, birthdays, camping trips, local annual festivals that we love, movie nights, home depot kids workshop (click the link to find out more), take a trip, go to the beach. Just personalize to what your family likes to do!
• Laminate everything! I’ve discovered that a roll of clear packing tape also laminates well

 

• Add a piece of sticky-back magnet or magnetic tape to the back (found at Michael’s for $4 or here) I love the magnetic tape because it’s nice and thin so the extra days store nicely.

• I store the extras we’re not using that month in a larger magnetic tin (found at craft or even office supply stores)

 

• Oh, and I use a piece of Wikki Stix shaped into a circle to mark today’s date. Available here.

I assign one of the kids a turn to change the calendar at the beginning of the month. Great for counting and practicing their numbers and keeping them lined up. They love that job! Sounds like a lot of work (it is) but so worth it to use for years and years. Feel free to ask questions if you have any!