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 :-)

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 20, 2010

Today I am thankful a husband who works very hard.  He works two jobs, 80+ hours a week so I can stay home and some weeks, he works 7 days a week for us.  How can I not be thankful for that? He works a very, very physical job Mon-Thursday, 12-14 hours a day.  Than he gets a "rest" on his other 2-3 days of work while driving around town - but he never stops.  If he wasn't willing to do this - I wouldn't be home with our boys. 

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 19, 2010

Yes, I should have posted this yesterday - I thought about it all day but than never had a chance to post it.

This is a silly one but it is true!  I'm thankful for my new phone :-)  AND I'm thankful for "free" phones every two years!  Yep free!!  I've had Verizon since before it was Verizon - back when AAA gave out phones to their members.  When Darryl and I got married he took over my phone but the battery didn't even stay charged . . he made a phone called and we learned about the "new every 2" thing and got our first new phone.  A few years later we added a line and now we just wait for that 2 year anniversary so we can pick out the best phone we can get for free :-)  This time mine has the full keyboard, some awesome fonts, and great ring tones.  I'm so excited to have it !