Lunch Packing For The Win

I do not plan on sending lunch with Snapper every day this year. However, she is a very picky eater so I need to plan ahead and know what days to send lunch so she will have something to eat. The thing is that if she doesn't like it, she'll go hungry and that is not good for a little one at school. I'm getting organized now so that I know I'll be packing winning lunches!

Here are 20 tips that I remember from my childhood, from packing adventure lunches for homeschool, from packing my hubby's lunch, and things I just think will work!

1. Gather your supplies. Stock up on Ziploc bags, brown paper bags, saran wrap, etc. If you are using reusable items like I plan to, be sure to have everything you need on hand. It wouldn't hurt to have a box of Ziploc bags just in case though. Stephen Joseph Gifts has adorable coordinating lunch packing supplies. They have everything you need in one stop!

2. Put all of your supplies in a basket that you can easily move to your work station or store them close to your work station. Include a sharpie- you never know when you need to write on something and this way it is handy. We actually keep a couple in the kitchen drawer for easy access.

3. Label everything that you are using that is reusable so that it comes back home.

4. Make sure your little can open all of these items before you use them.

5. Stock up on snack items and other add-ins that your child loves. (Back to school sales and holiday items are a great way to stock up)

6. Use leftovers whenever possible, especially when it is a food your child loves.

7. Find out if there is a way for your child to get their food heated or if they have to do it themselves. If they have to do it themselves, make sure this is something they can do. If they cannot get it heated, invest in a good thermal container.

8. Make sure everything they need for lunch (even napkins and cutlery) is in their lunchbox.

9. Invest in a good leakproof water bottle or thermos.

10. Color coordinate the supplies

11. If your child likes to share, include a few extras or they will give their lunch away. My mom always did this with me.

12. Get your child involved in the process from planning, shopping, to prepare.

13. Find a few options for each part of lunch (entree, snack, dessert, veggie, fruit, etc) and keep those on hand. Choose between those for easy packing.

14. Check each week to see which days you may need to pack a lunch.

15. Keep a stash of note cards and a pen in your supplies to jot a note to them. It will brighten their day. My mom always left me notes- especially on field trip days when she couldn't come along.

16. Make their lunch fun. I'm not saying they have to be "Pinterest ready," just as long as your child gets enjoyment out of it, that is what counts.

17. Does your child have allergies or food sensitivities? Make sure this is labeled on their lunch supplies. Maybe also include an EpiPen or Benedryl in their lunch pack if the school allows. Easy access is always for the best.

18. Just in case your child forgets their lunch or you forget to pack it, make sure they always have lunch money in their backpack. You don't want them to be without food.

19. Make sure your child's lunchbox is easy for them to open and to carry. If it cannot be attached to the backpack, a shoulder strap might be useful so that it doesn't get left in the car or bus.

20. Find out if there are any rules at your child's school about lunches brought from home. Some schools have banned peanut items.

Morning, Evening, and Sunday Night Routines: The Why, How, and Some Ideas

We are creatures of habit. Isn't that what they say?  I would agree. Without routines, I would be lost and my kids are the same. When anything is different, they go haywire. When Snapper started school in the spring, I quickly realized that new routines were in order if we were going to be successful. It took a couple days of adding things to my initial layout of routines, but eventually, we got it right.

I made a chart and posted it so she and I could both see it. Although she can't read, she will ask me what things say and that is putting the habit in place. Monkey see monkey do, or something like that.

The why is pretty simple. It makes life easier on everyone to be in a routine. If you have a special needs child, it is especially important to enact routines not only for school but for daily home life as well.

The how isn't all that difficult either.

Decide what needs to be done for a successful morning, evening, and school day. 

Be sure to include hygiene and simple things that you always do, like prayers.

Decide when each item needs to be done.

Create a chart of some kind and display it. There are many free printables online, or you can do what I did and write it on pretty paper. Sticking it in a sheet protector for use with a dry erase marker is a good idea as well.

Start the routines a couple of weeks before school starts (we will start on August 1 because school starts August 19th).

Stick to it and adjust it as needed.

Here are some ideas for what could go on your routine chart:

Morning:

Breakfast

Make Bed

Get Dressed

Brush Teeth/ Wash Face/ Wash Hands

Shoes On

Backpack

Do I need a raincoat, umbrella, anything special for the day?

Say Goodbyes

Evening:

Change into play clothes

Clothing in hamper

Clean Room

Read 20 minutes

Check Backpack

Homework/ Signatures

Is anything special needed for tomorrow?

Check weather

Clothes Together

Pajamas

Brush Teeth/ Wash Face/ Wash Hands

Goodnights/ Prayers

Sunday: The Sunday list is for me to do, but it makes my life easier. 

Check the weather

Is anything special going on at school that I need to prepare for (pictures, field trip, etc)

Check my calendar- does anyone need to put her on the bus or get her off the bus besides me?

Check lunch calendar- will she eat it or do I need to pack a lunch?

Do I need to wash anything special?

Each family will have a different list of items for each category. The key is finding what works for you. What would you add to the list? 

Why To Color-Coordinate Your Kids' Gear

Whether your kids are homeschooled, public schooled, private schooled, college age, athletes, adventurers, travelers, or gamers, they have gear. I think part of the definition of kids should be "little creature that requires gear." My kids take their backpacks everywhere. That is just part of it- even going for a quick doctor visit, to the store, or to visit family, the backpacks come along. Sometimes they aren't even opened, but they come along.

Since Snapper was born, I have been color-coordinating her and Tbomb's gear, especially those items we take along on adventures. Yes, I'm also a labeller. It has always been something I do to make my life easier. I know who's is who's without having to ask them. Also, they cannot argue over who something belongs to because there is no question.

I didn't realize just how much coordinating their items helps until Snapper started school this past spring. With her going back next month, I'm upping my coordinating game! (Thanks to Stephen Joseph Gifts and their awesome things!)

1. I realized when Snapper started school that it is much easier for her to keep up with her own items when she knows the color or design it is supposed to be. If we always stick with that, she knows which lunchbox is hers, which pencil box is hers, and which jacket is hers. 

2. For a child with special needs, giving them even the smallest amount of independence gives them a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I noticed that with Snapper. She was so proud of herself each day because she didn't need help finding her items. It also helped that her teacher uses a color/shape model for all the kids' items. 

3. When you let your child choose their "theme" or color, it is something they like, so they will keep up with it. Snapper loves bright colors so rainbows are perfect for her. Tbomb's items are always spiderman or camo. They like it, so they are determined to not lose it. 

4. Tip: Choose a common color and stick with it for solid color items. Tbomb is green/ blue and Snapper is pink/ purple. Everything I buy for them is these colors- earbuds, tablet supplies, pencil pouches, all of it. 

5. When teachers and other family members get used to your child's "theme" they will automatically know who the items belong to. Grandparents do not have to call me and ask if it is Snapper's clipboard or Tbomb's earbuds they found on the couch. The grandparents already know who it belongs to (plus, I label "The Georges")

6. Make it across the board with school supplies, adventure gear, sporting supplies, travel, and everything else. Believe me- life will be easier. 

7. When traveling, they know which toiletries, duffel, sleeping bag, and whatever else is theirs without hassle. 

8. Tip: Explain it to the kids, get them in on the process of choosing colors and "themes", and let them have some control. This will go a long way. 

9. Deciding which design to get the kids when I'm picking things up or ordering things are much easier. I decide which goes with their "theme" or color. Plus, we don't have the standing in the store 20 minutes while they choose- which drives me MAD. 

10. All in all, what we are doing is teaching our kids independence and responsibility while making it fun (and pretty). What can be better than that? 

Do you color-coordinate your kids? Do you have any tips?

Back To School: Don't Forget To Do These Things

In our district, school starts back on August 19, so we have just over a month of summer fun to go. However, amongst this fun, there are things that have to be done to prepare for school to start back. There are things to do to make the transition easier as well.

I have created a printable to help with these things. Some of the items may not pertain to you and some of them may be things that will really help. There is also a blank page. Print this out and use it in your planner, family launch station, or on your refrigerator.

You may not generally think about preparing your home for the beginning of the school year, but things will go much more smoothly when everything is in order. 

Download PDF

This Weather... Ugh!

Usually, I love where I work in the house. I usually sit at the kitchen table and can watch wherever the kids are playing, keep an eye on dinner, and see outside. I can watch the kids play outside, see what the dogs are doing, and even see if someone is turning in the driveway. It doesn't hurt that the view is nice as well.

We have a large yard with a lot of plants and trees. I especially love the view of the blackberries- they are a nice mixture of wild blackberries and some that we planted. We also have a pepper garden, strawberry patch, blueberry bushes, and a garden plot for other plants. That isn't including the muscadines, a huge rosemary bush, some honeysuckles, and a fig tree. This is just the edibles. There is also a crab-apple tree that my husband's great aunt planted (she died when he was 2), a rose bush from his great-grandmother, a red-bud bush from his great-uncle, and a cedar tree he planted when he was in kindergarten.

Basically, it is a beautiful view and I am surrounded by generations of love and family. It is truly a beautiful thing.

I write that to explain this. Today is a bit different. I woke up feeling like there wasn't enough coffee in the world for the day. I'm sitting at my computer and looking out the window. It is overcast, nothing is blooming, and it is a bit depressing. I just want to go back to bed. This is not like me, but I have been feeling more and more like that. I want to sleep. I want to lay around. I want to do nothing. The kids don't want to be outside because it is overcast, so they are inside and fighting. This just adds to it.

Sometimes I just feel burnt out. Luckily, it doesn't go any further than that. It isn't full blown depression and it doesn't usually last very long. It adds to my anxiety, but I just have to be aware of it and I'm fine. Luckily, I have a very supportive family that gives me time when I need it, lets me vent, and I have shoulders to cry on.

However, not everyone has this. I think a lot about those people who are stuck in a rut of some sort and they do not have anyone to talk to. At the risk of sounding childish, this isn't fair. Everyone should have people in their corner that are supportive and offer and listening ear. I'm sure that the lack of this just adds to depression, anxiety, and other problems.

My hope for this situation is that anyone who doesn't have someone to talk to reaches out. With social media now, there are multiple ways of reaching out and so many people who are willing to help. If you are unsure of reaching out to your online community, there are other options as well.

Did you know that online therapy and counseling is now available? There are several companies that offer it with a variety of options as to how online therapy is carried out. There is chat, video chat, phone calls, apps, and more. Itsn't it amazing what technology has opened up for us?! There are many companies available for online therapy, including BetterHelp, so the options are just about endless!

Peanut Butter & Co. Dipping Cups + Fun Dippables For Your Kids

Disclaimer: I received products to review. All opinions are my own.

I have been a huge fan of Peanut Butter & Co peanut butters for many years. I have always loved the flavors and when I worked outside the home, I kept a jar of  "The Bees Knees" in my desk at work. My kids have now discovered them and are in love- especially my peanut butter loving snapper. This kid eats peanut butter in her grits, oatmeal, and even pasta.

We were sent some of the Dark Chocolate Dipping Cups and they are amazing! They are a nice sweet snack but healthy at the same time. Now, When I give them a snack, the first thing they ask for is a dipping cup. Pretty cool.

I'm really excited about these as the school year approaches. I know this will be a great thing to include in Snapper's lunchbox. I know she'll eat that, even though she may be the pickiest eater on the planet. My child that doesn't like pretzels will even eat them dipped!

Here are even more ideas:

20 Dippables Your Kids Will Love:

1. Pretzels

2. Apples

3. Animal Crackers

4. Bananas

5. Crackers

6. Pineapple

7. Mini Pancakes

8. Toast

9. French Fries (can even be dipped in sweet things)

10. Tortilla Chips (Yes, Snapper dips them in peanut butter)

11. Popcorn

12. Carrots

13. Marshmallows

14. Celery

15. Graham Crackers

16. Orange Sections

17. Tater Tots

18. Pears

19. Sesame Sticks

20. Pecans

I would've added Mango to the list, but I'm allergic, so I haven't tried it.

Snapper thinks her fingers are good dippables!

What are your kids' favorite dippables?

Teaching Kids To Spell Their Names

Teaching Tbomb to spell his name was a breeze. Kodabug, on the other hand, took more creativity. here are some things I found that really helped her learn to not only make the letters but to also learn the order the letters go in.

1. Put their name everywhere! I made Dakota a big sign to put above her bed- it was a constant reminder of how to spell her name.

2. Make it fun- using a device they enjoy like Boogie Boards, Magna Doodles, fun notebooks, and so much more.

3. Pick you up a couple of paint chips at your local hardware store- use the same color. Write the name on each one and cut one of them apart. Then, your child can put the letters in order. They can also use it for reference when writing their name. The one that is still together can be the base for using all kinds of letters to spell their name (see the last photo)

4. Magnetic numbers were huge for helping Dakota recognizing her letters and the ones that are in her name. We have also used scrabble letters.

5. Use drink bottle lids and trace the circles to make a caterpillar. Write letters in the circles and on the drink bottle lids. Have your child match the letters. 

Limitless Learners: Win $500 For College

Do you have a child who loves learning? Well, guess what?! Now your child can win money for college because they love learning!

Isn't that amazing? Well, Education.com is having a Limitless Learners Contest that will let your child get $500 for college and $1000 for their school library or local library. Plus, their educator wins a lifetime membership to Education.com. Such a win-win!

The contest is open to children from Kindergarten to the fifth grade. They have to respond to a prompt in a specific way, depending on their grade level.

Entries and parent permission forms must be submitted by October 31, 2019

Find all the rules and details at Education.com