August 11, 2011 1 Comment

back to school calendars

The other thing I’ve been obsessing about (other than the lunch box) is the calendar! There is so much to keep track of when the little people go back to school.

For us, my boys are at two separate schools (with dropoff/pickup at different times) on different days, plus sports, plus homework reminders, plus special projects due, plus snack day… and on and on. And if you have small kids, you know that all school reminders, like XYZ project due date, are as much your responsibility as it is theirs! What happens if you don’t remind them to get it done?! Yep… it’s your fault.

So these are a few freebies that I found around the web:

  • Week-At-A-Glance from MommyTracked – I love that I can put the whole family on it
  • Goal Making 101 from Jana Laurene – not by person, but pretty and will keep us organized… if I can only get everyone to write smaller. {wink}

And then there are the DIY kind, which might work best for us because then I can make it how I want. Chalkboard is fun! But where would I put it? And would someone accidentally erase something important to draw a picture of their favorite toy? Hmmm…

 I want pretty and functional. Is that too much to ask?

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August 10, 2011 4 Comments

lunch boxes with promise

As I mentioned on Monday (when I posted our FREE lunch box notes!), I’ve been obsessing a bit about my oldest heading off to first grade (and away from me for the entire day… for the first time since I left my corporate life). Lunch is a big part of that stress. He’s such a picky eater and I don’t want to fill his lunch box with cookies… I may have to, but I’m going on record that I don’t want to.

So, while I’ve been stressing and scouring the net for food ideas, I’ve come across some pretty cool lunch box ideas.

  1. He hates for his food to touch so this divider lunch box from Pottery Barn Kids would be a great option.
  2. He would love to doodle and draw on these frame napkins from Perpetual Kid, and it gives him something to do if lunch time gets boring… or more likely… he doesn’t want to eat what I pack him {stressed again}.
  3. He loves planes and I love the retro, so this linen box from The Land of Nod has promise. (It also comes in a green space rocket and other choices for girls!)
  4. He really loves camoflage right now and I love the monogram and the sturdy sides since he has to put his lunch in a huge bin with all the other kid lunches. So this bag from Pottery Barn Kids is a strong contender. Can you imagine the kid who brings his in a paper bag like I did?! It will be flat! 

More to come on food ideas as school gets closer. Happy Tuesday everyone!

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August 8, 2011 9 Comments

back to school owls!

Like most of you, I’ve had back to school on the brain for a few weeks now. My oldest is entering first grade… it almost takes my breathe just typing it… and here in Ohio this is the first year he’ll be away from me all day. Needless to say, I’m not looking forward to it. He is. I’m not.

So I created this fun back to school “smartie owl” snack for him. I just love the little glasses! Isn’t he cute?! He’s made of:

  • Body – crumb nut donut
  • Eyes – Keebler Grasshopper Cookie
  • Glasses – yellow jelly candy circles (I found them at Kroger) and yellow pull-a-part licorice
  • Hair – yellow pull-a-part licorice
  • Nose – mini Tootsie Roll (molded slightly with my hands into a hook)

And I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect lunch box, along with a few other accessories. So after making the treat, I decided to create these lunch box notes. I wanted to put a little something in his lunch box every day so that he knows I’m thinking of him. And of course I’m going to share these notes with all of you too!

One more picture of my “smartie owl” because… well… just because. {wink} And now the download link for the freebies. Enjoy!

As always, I hope you’re inspired! And stop over at Snackpicks.com for more of my Kellogg’s ideas.

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May 9, 2011 10 Comments

encourage reading with the very hungry rolo-pillar

As a mom of two boys (and statistics show that boys read less as they get older), I’ve made reading a bit of a fun requirement around our house. As a matter of fact, my boys see it as a punishment if we don’t get a bedtime story or two… or three. Honestly, it’s a bit of a disappointment for me too so I think it might have happened once in the past six years!

And now that my oldest is six, I encourage him to read to me. I love it. I love hearing him sound out the words and make mistakes. It’s adorable. My youngest, age four, loves a good book too and snuggles up with me every chance we get.

So as summer is approaching we’ve already started to plan what day we’ll move our regular library trips to (since we can go in the middle of the day then, yay!), and I’ve started thinking about fun ways to celebrate books for our summer reading program.

This is my first idea for an old classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The treat is just Rolos topped with M&Ms, served on a tissue paper leaf with jimmies for antenna (and don’t forget to trim out some teeth marks!). It took me all of 2 minutes and the boys were ecstatic. And this idea goes perfectly with the library playdate idea from Family Fun magazine that I blogged about a few weeks ago!

Happy Monday everyone and as always, I hope you’re inspired!

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April 25, 2011 5 Comments

teacher appreciation week!

Some of my favorite crafty bloggy buddies have reminded me that next week, starting May 2, is Teacher Appreciation Week! Eeekkkk! But no need to fret because these ideas will keep your little ones on the Teacher’s Pet list for sure!

First off, the clever sisters over at eighteen25 came up with these fabulous “Teacher’s Treats” jar toppers and what’s even better… they’re FREE! This is only one of the them. The other’s are for us moms. Things like “Bubble Gum Bribes” and “Mom’s Secret Stash.” LOVE this idea to hide my dark chocolate goodies! {huge smile}

And next we have a super talented duo. Amy of Living Locurto designing the printables and Kristan of Confessions of a Cookbook Queen made these insanely adorable cupcakes. That’s icing on top, not ice cream! Hop over to Living Locurto to download the FREE printables and get all the “how tos” on making these beautiful cupcakes!

And check out Tidy Mom’s Apple Caramel Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream IN A JAR! What teacher would say “I’m on a diet” to this idea? NONE, that’s how many. She’s guest posting over on Skip To My Lou with all the details, lots more pictures and a fabulous FREE printable to boot!

Happy Monday everyone and as always, I hope you’re inspired!

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