the lunchbox!

Now that the newness of September has worn off, I'll be the first to admit that packing lunch has become quite the chore (one which thankfully, my husband will help with!).  Lunch boxes in September seem to be fun and exciting and by October they are old news.

I thought I would share some of our tips and tricks to keep the lunch box fresh and fun (and healthy!)... I'd love to hear your ideas too!

• First off, I swear by the Rubbermaid Lunch Blox - Sandwich Kit .  Not only are they easy to use, they are also the perfect serving sizes and we haven't had one leak yet!  Also, NO sandwich bags needed!
• I have one "dipper" in the family and one "sandwich eater".  
• You may have a "dipper" for a kid also, anything and everything than can be dipped will (and should).  Things to dip with: carrots, apple slices, pretzels, and mini crackers (like a Wheat Thin) seem to be the top choices.  Things to dip into: yogurt, cheese spread (may not be the healthiest, but my daughter loves this and is such a picky eater!), peanut butter and hummus.  For her, the main course is a dippable item.  
• For my sandwich eater I try not to get into too big of a rut with a peanut butter & jelly every day. Even though though that is a great option.  My local grocery store has a new line of filler-free sandwich meats that taste really great so we go with those in a variety of flavors.  To keep it interesting I switch between bread, pita pockets or sub buns.
• Sides include fruit, simple snacky items like pretzels or trail mix and a then a sweet piece of something like a fruit snack - although fruit leathers are much more popular around here lately or a piece of licorice.  

What do your kids love the most in their lunches? Have you tried the Lunch Blox system? Like it?

mom approved books: classics with a twist!

How adorable are these baby lit board books? Perfect for the book-worm mom (and baby!) these books cover the basics of number and colors while introducing the young ones to the classics... plus, they would be an adorable addition to any child's bookshelf (yes, I do judge books by their covers from time to time!)

Romeo & Juliet: A BabyLit Counting Primer  A Christmas Carol: A BabyLit Colors Primer  Dracula: A BabyLit Counting Primer (BabyLit Books)  Alice in Wonderland: A BabyLit Colors Primer  Pride & Prejudice: A BabyLit Counting Primer (English and English Edition)  Jane Eyre: A BabyLit Counting Primer
Show up to your next baby shower with a few on these wrapped up or put a few under the tree for your favorite little ones. I think my kids are a little too big for these... but I want them anyway!

thoughts on motherhood: why it's good for parents to travel! (without their kids)

Recently my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.  We've travelled plenty as a couple since the kids have been born (more as they get older)... but the night before we left as I was typing out pages of play-by-play notes for Grandpa (who was watching the kids while we were gone) and then later while I was cleaning the house, doing laundry and everything else in prep of having the kids in the house with my dad for a long weekend... one question kept coming to mind:

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

I felt like (and was acting like) a crazy person to get everything ready on time and of course, as most moms do... also going through every possible worse-case scenario in my head as well.  But now that I'm home I have gleaned some wisdom that I will remind myself of next time I travel sans-kids and that I hope you take to heart too.

• Date nights as couples are great time to re-connect as couples from time to time.  But days on end together with just the two of you offer more opportunities for quality time as a couple.  Remember when you never got sick on one another? Then kids, jobs, more kids and a dirty house got in the way of that.  Let someone else do the cooking and cleaning for a few days (or cook together on vacation, like you did when you were dating) and suddenly you can just BE as a couple.
• Kids need to know that the world is a good and nurturing place to live even when their parents aren't around.  It's true. You won't be allowed to move into their dorm with them some day... you have to teach them to trust themselves, their surroundings and give them independence by taking the world on by themselves at times.  Of course, my dad was there every step of the way with them while they were gone.  But taking on life without mom or dad from time to time will teach them to trust their instincts (would mom let me do this if she were here? should I still eat healthy and not beg for candy the whole time?) and give them confidence in the routines we have set up that still hold true when we aren't around.
• Experiencing new things as a couple helps grow your relationship together.  You know the line "We'll always have Paris" from Casablanca?  Traveling and trying new things together will solidify your relationship for eternity... you can never take memories away and creating new ones   keeps your relationship fresh.  The foundation of any amazing family is a strong marriage.
• Kids need to have a little "fun" every once in a while.  You know as an adult there are times when you need to "cut loose" a little.  Right?  Same goes for kids.  A few days with the grandparents that spoil them rotten will NOT spoil them for life.  Rather... it's a treat for them... a vacation for them of sorts.  I'm not great at "spoiling" my kids... so why not let the grandparents or a loved one have the opportunity to?
• Showing your children that you love your husband/wife enough to spend time with them away is setting a good example for them when they grow older.  When they grow up they will be more likely to want to take a romantic getaway trip with their significant other when they saw these loving patterns set when they were younger.  
• Taking your vice grip off of parenting is freeing.  When my kids were younger I was a VERY rigid with their schedule (often days, as they grow, I still am).  But so what if the kids are a few minutes late to school, have messy hair and mismatched clothes while you are gone and they are hanging with the grandparents? Seriously? Will the world end? No.  I know as a mom I can be very controlling of the way the family and the household runs.  The world will NOT end if the laundry is done a different way (or not done at all).  We as moms need to remember that.
• It's just plain fun.  Maybe the prep is a pain in the you-know-what, but the kids have fun being spoiled and the parents have fun spending time as adults again!
• Lastly, you will come back completely refreshed as a couple AND a parent.  Everyone needs a little break now and again, even you OR especially you!

Surprise Flowers

Occasionally, we like to leave little surprises for random strangers.
One of our favorites are little paper flowers.
All you have to do is cut the petals out of scrap paper; layer a small, medium and large flower; and glue them together. Finish off the center with a button/brad/rhinestone, etc. and tape the flower to a pipe cleaner. Ta-Da! Instant happiness for a stranger.

We also like to attach a little tag that says something like, "Have a nice day," or "if you find this, it's for YOU!" Some of the best spots to abandon your flowers: grocery carts, at the library, parking lots (leave them under windshields). Or just take a bunch with you and leave them one by one as you go about your day. It's a fun, simple way to teach your kids the importance of kindness.

back to school: shoes!

I promised last week that I would clue you in on my favorites for kiddos shoes... for summer, it's crocs (hands down).  But for the back to season school... converse for boys AND girls are my favorite!

Last night we had orientation at both of my kids' schools and the one thing the teachers always say is: no crocs, no flip flops and try for velcro (especially in preschool and kindergarten, where tying shoes is still difficult for kiddos).  Since my kids live in flip flops and crocs in the summer... it's a huge adjustment to switch to real "shoes" for school.  And velcro to boot!?!?

That's where Converse for kids come in... they offer velcro and slip on styles (both of which my kids have) and they are simple and cute!

(above: pink, green with yellow, black)

(above: black, red, pink)

etsy: whimsical picture frames

I absolutely adore these one-of-a-kind picture frames.  Aren't they the perfect way to highlight a precious baby or family photo? 

Find them in the etsy shop Orange Blossom.

oxo,

Jackie

Maternity Monday!

I'm back with a new Maternity Monday (it's been a while, huh!?!)

I'm loving the new poncho trend for this fall... super cozy and easy to throw on!  And even better!?!? It's a perfect maternity look!

outfit on the left: poncho, boots, earrings, ring, jeans

outfit on the right: leggings, nail polish, poncho, bracelet, flats

ps... this is a totally great outfit even if you aren't pregnant as well!

Placemats for Picky Eaters

Are you lucky enough to have a picky eater at your house? One of my kids will eat anything I give her. The other one, well, I can pretty much count the number of healthy foods he'll eat on one hand. I'm sure you know the challenge this presents when mealtime rolls around.

A while back I devised a strategy to help Hudson become more engaged in mealtime, and more interested in what he was putting into his body. We spent time clipping pictures of healthy foods from magazines, we learned about the different food groups and what they do for our bodies. And I let him help me choose healthy foods at the grocery store.

We kept all of our food pictures in the kitchen, and at each meal, Hudson would get to choose what he ate. The only rule is that he had to choose something from each food group. It was definitely a lot planning and effort on my part, but it was fantastic to see him more interested in mealtimes, and more open to trying new things.

What really sealed the deal, though, was this placemat activity I made for him. I printed it, had it laminated and he uses a dry erase marker to check off his progress. After dinner, we simply wipe it off and we're ready for the next meal. Oh, and have you seen the new USDA's MyPlate? It recently took the place of the Food Pyramid. Anyway, I updated the old version of our placemat to reflect the new changes. 

If you'd like a free download for your picky eater, you can follow the links below. You can send the file to your local copy shop, have it printed on 11x17" paper and laminated. Pick up some dry erase markers and you're all set.  

Yummy Placemat Download

I'm Hungry Placemat Download

This definitely hasn't solved all of our picky-eating problems, but I do feel better knowing we're making a conscious effort. And it has taken a lot of the tears (and gagging) out of mealtime. :)

P.S. If you'd like a free personalized version of the placemat for your kid, just contact me via my blog and I'll be happy to insert your child's name into the placemat and send the file your way.

gear: back to school basics from Gap!

I don't get too frilly and fancy with back to school clothing for my kids... they usually need it each fall - well, clothes AND shoes, so I know I'll be buying it.  But I have some tried and true methods that always work for us...

In my opinion Gap Kids has the best clothing for kids for a few reasons... their styles are always spot on to my tastes (this is personal, I know), their quality lasts and lastly the prices seem to match my budget... especially when you watch for their promotions and specials.

For my daughter I look for mainly simple long sleeved tops -I love that these have some fun personality - that will layer well with cardigans or hoodies.  And then for bottoms... simply jeans or leggings.

(above: striped top, cat top, pink leggings, grey ruffled top, pink tee, jeans)

For my son I take whatever I can get that's cute and not too illustrated or overly screen printed in long sleeved tops and then just some simple cargo pants or jeans.  I love that Gap's clothes aren't OVERLY stylized... they are just kids after all and that the silhouettes are simple and easy enough for play.  I try to avoid a lot of athletic clothing (as I do in my personal life) for school and save it for the gym or sports practices.

(above: red tee, beatles top, cargo pants, grey layered tee, orange and blue polo, jeans)

What is your usual plan of attack for school clothes!?!? Next up... I'll share my favorite shoes for kids.

Plus... check out this deal! Starts 8/21/2011: 30% off Friends & Family at Gap.com with coupon code THANKS. Ends 8/24/2011

etsy: elementary memory books

With Natalie starting Kindergarten I've been searching for the perfect way to organize and record all the memories she is going to be making.  It's been a surprisingly difficult search as nothing has seemed to be just quite what I am looking for.  Things may have changed, however, after discovering these on etsy last night:

Mother/Daughter Elementary Memory Book

What makes this version extra special is that it is a journal that you complete together with your child.  It is divided by grade level, and each page has guided prompts for you and your child to fill out-one side for you and one side for your child.  What a sweet way to not only document these special times in your child's life, but it also creates a wonderful opportunity to bond and open up conversations with your child.   There is also a Mother/Son version available.

So all you mommas with school-age children: how have you insured these memories are preserved? I'd love your tips!   

oxo,

Jackie