Kids Lunches

One of the things I have the hardest time with is feeding my kids lunch.  I've had a hard time with this ever since Josh started feeding himself.  When "all" I had to do was puree up some fruits and vegetables, freeze them and than throw a few ice cubes in the microwave, it was kinda easy, I just admit.  Than, Josh figured out he could feed himself and eating off a spoon in my hand really wasn't that fun anymore.  Nate has reached that stage - he wants to feed himself everything so again, I'm trying to figure out what to feed them!  I'm getting tired of feeding Josh cheese and crackers, PB and J, Balonga, and Quessidillas.  I got creative a few weeks ago and made Chicken Nuggets but it just isn't enough.  Now that Nate is getting closer to eating the same things as Josh, I really feel the need to plan fun, healthy, interesting lunches to my boys.  Thrown into the mix is the munchkin I babysit for - he is still a year off from eating "real" food but I'd like to have my plan in place well before than. 

Well, in one of my blog searches today - clicking on all those linky parties - I came across one awesome blog!  Crouching Mother, Hidden Toddler shows off her lunches that are just unbelievably creative but also easy - they just take some planning.  I have loved the "Muffin Tin Monday" concept for awhile but just haven't done it and she also uses some other neat lunch "plates" that I'm thinking of picking up for my boys too.  Here are just a few samples of the lunches she does:

Another place that has more ideas is Bento Lunch.  Here are some of her lunch ideas

So I'm inspired :-)  I'm also going to research some other kid cookbooks too.  My plan is to start this new meal planning in January - I need time to plan, wrap my mind around this whole idea, and than not OVER plan as I'm known to do!  I also want to get some muffin tins and some of these other cute lunch "boxes" for both of my boys.  Plus, by January, Nate will be eating more so doing lunch for two plus me will be a little easier - instead of making 2-3 differant things each day, I think I can make these work for all three of us. 

Enjoy :-)