The Epic Lunch Box Search

When McKinley was going to school part-time, he would periodically eat lunch at school before I picked him up. And because it was so sporadic, I didn't give too much thought to his lunch box. He carried a Blaze soft sided lunch box that was insulated and it was perfect. Until now. Since he's going full-time, he's taking a daily lunch, and I'm trying to make the lunches as interesting as possible but that's for another blog post. This one is regarding my epic search for the perfect day to day lunch box.

It started with Target. Target has everything so I was sure to be in and out with THE lunch box. I walked out of there with a Thermos (something I needed), 20 small, heart shaped slime Valentine party favors, and a pack four kids velvet hangers. No lunch box. Target, you get me every time with the stuff I don't need!

From there, I headed over to Town Center to exchange a Christmas gift and passed Bed, Bath, and Beyond on my way. I was in the far left lane, needed to be in the far right, and I didn't have a 20% of coupon on hand so I made a mental note to do some online research before heading back. I made it to Town Center, took care of my exchange, and then headed down to Pottery Barn Kids. I wasn't going to spend $20+ on their lunch boxes, I just wanted to do see what they had and what the physical lunch box looked like on the interior. Guess what? It was exactly what I was looking for, but the designs were nothing McKinley would want to carry. Moving on.

I then thought about Walmart, TJ Maxx just to see what they might have, and possibly going back to Bed, Bath and Beyond. But then I decided against it. I had to pee, I was getting hungry, and I was tired of getting in and out of the car. And if I went to those three places, I would have to get in and out six more times (wizard like math) and I wasn't sure if my bladder could handle even the first trip! I just headed home. 

So now I'm home, fully fed, and online researching places to purchase lunch boxes. I started with Pottery Barn Kids, because let's be honest, they had the best selection as far as hard sided lunch boxes go. I then looked at Amazon, but didn't see anything I liked. I looked Target again, thinking maybe they would have something online that they didn't have in the store, but it was all mostly soft sided which is what we already had. So then I went to the most reliable source, Facebook! After typing in my status, I immediately got a response from my friend Christina who uses a Pottery Barn Kids version for her girls and a Bento Box insert for their lunch items. Savior! So here is what I'm going with. (I tried adding a photo of the Bento Box, but the JPEG verion was horribly blurry. Use the link to find it.)

Because the lunch box is being monogrammed, since their names have to be on everything anyway, the lunch box will be here at the beginning of February. I'm hoping for an earlier date. In the meantime, we will rely on the Blaze lunch box he's currently using. I'm looking forward to a sturdier way to pack and carry his lunch. And the Thermos will come in handy then to, in hopes of keeping his lunch warmer. 

What do you currently use for your kids daily lunches? I never knew finding the perfect lunch box would be so hard. The perfect Trapper Keeper, yes. I mean that was a year long decision to make in July! 

Up next, what to actually pack in his daily lunch. We have a picky eater on our hands so I'm trying to jazz up lunches without going too crazy. I want him to actually eat what I pack! Making lists and menus now!

XO,

Andrea

First Day Back

I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee, watching the snow pour down, a load of laundry going, and there is nothing but silence all around me. It's the first day back to school after winter break and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I know most parents long for this day. The day where everything somewhat goes back to normal, but I've kind of been dreading it.

McKinley has decided that he wants to go full-time to Kindergarten, we started part-time at the beginning of the school year, and I'm really proud of him for coming to this decision by himself. I knew I wanted to transition him at break, but deep down, I was hoping it wouldn't happen. I love having my mornings to myself, truth be told I could use more time, but I loved knowing that by 11:30 we would be home together and spending the rest of the day doing whatever we wanted. Maybe a trip to the zoo during warmer weather. Celebratory lunches for birthdays or just because. Or just doing nothing but playing all afternoon. It didn't matter the activity, it just meant that the two of was were together and content.

Another part of me felt that when he started going to school full-time, I was slowing starting to lose him. To friends, to after school activities, to girls..... I know the latter is further down that road, but it's always there in the back of my mind. This is the beginning of the end, in a sense. And it breaks my heart and makes me hopeful all at the same time. I want him to flourish. I want him to shine. I want him to excel. And I know that all begins with this new milestone. 

So what does that mean for me? Well, it means I can tackle my life's to-do list, which I found last night, and can start scratching off some of the items that have been lingering for years! I can find some time for me. Like read that book club book since we meet in two weeks! I have a laundry list of DIY things I need to complete for our booth. Calendar scheduling that I've been putting off, thank you notes that need to be written, organization of several closets, and a bedroom to paint. I've also got a list of blogs I would love to catch up on!

How many other mama's out there are struggling with the same Kindergarten empty nest feeling? What are you doing to fill your time? What feelings are you dealing with and how? I would love for you to share with all of us! We all need to stick together to get through this. However, I have a feeling we all might need a big glass of wine come 4:30!

XO,

Andrea

Getting Organized: McKinley's Space

I don't think that there will ever be a time where I say, my house if finished! It's organized to the point where I can finally sit back and look at all I've done! Never going to happen. I have kitchen cabinets, a linen closet, a coat closet, and a playroom on the list of things that have to be organized and now! But, I really wanted to create a little space for McKinley, even if he only uses it from time to time. 

I blogged several weeks ago about whether I make him a work space for school activities or just let him use the age old kitchen table. So far, we've been using the kitchen table, but I was still determined to make him a small space that was just his. You never know if he decided he just needed a moment to himself to create. (I have to mention that this weekend he told us he was inspired to create an ice skating rink and that he was going to draw it when we got home. I loved that he used inspired!)

I got to work about a week or so ago getting his room prepped for the space. I removed the brown chair that we used for late night/early morning feedings since he doesn't use it and it was just taking up room. Don't worry, we didn't get rid of it completely. It's now housed in one of my mom's spare bedrooms and it looks perfect!

The blank space!

 I then cleaned off the table in his playroom to get ready for the move. Um, do you see this table? It took me about 10 minutes to clear. And I threw half of it away!

I can't believe that table ever looked like that! So, after taking 10 minutes to rid the clutter, I moved it up three flights of stairs to its new home. And this guy is heavy! 

Since then, I've moved the table a little and added some cute details. My mom knew I was on the hunt for a cute art supply caddy. I didn't want something plastic. I wanted something sturdier and chic for the space. My mom found this perfect piece at Michael's and it's exactly what I had in mind. I was even going to sketch something and have my dad help me make it. Thanks, Michael's!

This little storage box is what started this whole process! It used to be housed in a corner in my kitchen and it became the catch all for everthing related to McKinley. Anything he brought home artwork wise wound up in this box. And, it also housed all of his art supplies and so many other things. It was spilling over and it was so unsightly. I wasn't sure what to do with it after it was all cleaned out so I turned it into a storage unit for all of the other art supplies like finger paint paper, his sketch pad, bottles of paint, and finger paint tubes. It fits nicely beside his changing table, that I turned into a mini library, and is right next to the new art station. I love it!

I love his new space and Joel does too. His favorite piece is the art supply caddy! It cleaned up the room, made it a big boy space, and it gives him a place that's all his. And, it helped me contain the clutter and take space back in my kitchen. And I have big plans for that space. 

What are some of the ways you organize your home? Do you ever feel like you're done or do you have that constant list of things to do? One day, I'll get there...

XO,

Andrea

Mama DIY - Foam Ornaments

I am a girl who loves her holidays. I used to decorate my whole house for every holiday, especially Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. I have a few odds and ends for Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day as well. I've paired back over the years, really only decorating with specifics pieces, but McKinley's room has an ongoing theme. His Holiday Tree.

It all started in 2013. I started a Christmas tree in McKinley's room the previous Christmas and he didn't want to take it down. And I obliged. I turned it into his Holiday Tree and we made ornaments for all the various holidays throughout the year. It started with Valentine's Day and continued through Christmas. And Michael's was my to-go craft store for assistance. I purchased all of their foam kits until a cousin mentioned that I would more than capable of making my own. And she was right. I gave up my craft kits and purchased my first pack of colorful foam.

It started with Fourth of July and was followed by Halloween and then Christmas. It was glitter town at this house and I vacuumed it up for weeks. I was hooked. In 2014, McKinley started Pre-School and I wanted to document this momentous occasion with a Back to School tree. I created ABC and 123 foam ornaments in primary colors. And we've used them over the past two years, but this year we added something a little different. With him heading off to Kindergarten next Tuesday, queue the waterworks again, I made him school mascot ornaments. They are the Thunderbirds and over the weekend, T-Birds was born. 

Here's how I made them. Their colors are black and yellow so I stuck with yellow. You need a sheet of foam, block letters (I use Wilton cookie cutters for all my ornaments), scissors, glitter glue, and glitter. We will get to the other pieces later.

I use the cookie cutters as my template. I simply place the cutter on the foam, press down, and remove. It leaves a nice imprint in the foam and allows for an easy guide.

When cutting out the tiny holes in the middle of letters, bend the letter in half and make a tiny slit with your scissors. Then cut.

I couldn't find my B cookie cutter anywhere so I used the B from the ornament set. I need to be a more organized crafter. However, it's real life, right?

After all the letters have been cut out, use your hole punch to make a hole at the top of each letter. Don't put it too close to the edge like I did with letter D.... 

 

Now, let's glitter!!! I know you think "Why do I need glitter glue?" You could use regular glue, but this glue is a little thicker to help the glue stick and dries clear. Apply the glue all over the ornament and sprinkle glitter all over the ornament. Let it dry before you shack off the access.

You will have extra glitter that will gather on the surface you're using and don't let it go to waste! Use a spoon to scoop it up and apply to the rest of the ornaments.

And here is the "finished" product!

Now it's time to make your ornaments go from this to this.

I love this school ribbon from Michael's. It's perfect for this project. Measure each piece to your desired length and cut the number needed. I normally tie the ribbon in a knot at the top, but this time around I decided to staple it. It makes it a little cleaner and you can turn the staple to the back so you don't see it on the tree.

 

And now it's time to decorate the tree!! We took down the Fourth of July ornaments, which were also super cute for the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics, to prep the tree for Back to School. I let McKinley decorate the whole thing, cringing at the same time as I see tons of blank spaces. I gently "direct" him on placement, for the most part he does it all himself. 

 And I love how the colorful lights play up the colors in the ornaments!

 

And here are the T BIRD ornaments!

He even "tied" the bow on the top of the tree. How cute is this chalkboard ribbon!! I! Die!

I take a photo at the end of every tree completion. He looks so proud of his accomplishment and he should be! He did such a good job!

And let's take a trip down memory lane. Here is last year's tree photo....

What do you think of the Holiday Tree idea? Is it something you would add to your child's room? Want to start making your own ornaments? Let's discuss!!

XO,

Andrea