Lunchbox Round Up

Today is the first day of our school week this week, and the girls have a lunch box packed with nachos consisting of corn tortilla chips, salsa, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and sour cream. They each have an apple juice box and Joplin chose fresh plums while Isis has orange slices as her fruit choice.

I have written posts about most of our staple lunch box meals, an will not be posting a daily lunchbox post in an effort to expand my blog. I will continue to post when we have special themed lunches or new ideas, and please feel free to contact me or comment with your ideas and suggestions! I'd love to get the input of other moms and dads!

Just as a refresher I'll list the lunch box meals I refer to time and again to fill my girls' bellies with healthy, yummy food. I always start with the main dish, and add sides that fill in the gaps in the meal. My goal is to have at least 1 protein, whole grain and dairy item, two fruits and two veggies. Sometimes I don't get all of them in, but I make up for it at dinner time. 

To start, here is the meal they are having today...
1. Nachos 

2. Cheese, meat, and crackers

3. Peanut better and jelly or honey

4. Cream cheese pinwheels or flour tortillas

5. Salad

6. Cheese wrap/roll ups

7. Peanut butter crackers

8. Hot Dogs (preservative free turkey dogs)

9. Sandwich with turkey/ham and cheese

10. Breakfast food

Fall Fun and Decor Round Up #1

Fall is by far my favorite season. I love the cooler weather, the colors, the food, the activities, and the holidays! I feel like we are finally kicking off the season here in Oklahoma (even though temperatures are still in the 90's!) because tomorrow I am accompanying my 4 year old and her class to the county fair. I plan to splurge on some local honey and a caramel apple :)

In the spirit of the season I've been getting a few ideas and projects together to share with my family and readers. So here it is, my first round up, for fall!

1. Hoot Owl Peanut Butter Cookies from Growing in Grace

These look so fun and TASTY! The best part is by substituting dairy free margarine, they are milk-free (so I can actually eat them)!
http://www.jo-ann-growingingrace.com/2012/09/hoot-owl-peanut-butter-cookies.html

2. Paper Punching Leaves from Grow Creative

Early fall is the perfect time for this fun kid-friendly activity. Get outside, take a nature walk, collect beautiful leaves, and punch out any fun shapes you'd like! The possibilities for creating with these are endless. Use them to make a collage, cards for family and friends, glue them to wax paper and cut out a pretty shape to make a natural sun catcher, or creating a mobile using fishing line.
http://growcreative.blogspot.com/2012/11/paper-punching-leaves.html

3. Spooky Dripping Candle Display

This simple craft is the perfect way to decorate your table, porch, or classroom without the mess, danger, and expense of real candles!
http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/111073-candle-cluster.html

4. Halloween Hand Treat Bags from The Queen's Card Castle

Perfectly creepy for passing out on Halloween night, or as a treat for your child's classroom.
http://queenscardcastle.blogspot.com/2012/10/hello-my-friends-hope-your-monday-is.html

5. Glow in the Dark Puff Paint Pumpkins from Balancing Home

If your kids are too young for carving or you just hate the gooey gunk from the inside of a pumpkin give this craft a try. You can use real or fake pumpkins and create fun designs or spooky images!
http://www.balancinghome.com/2012/09/puffy-paint-glow-pumpkin.html

6. Candy Corn Bark from My Baking Addiction

This looks so festive and DELICIOUS!
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/boo-halloween-treat-and-giveaway/

7. Halloween Facts from Daily Infograph

Take the mystery and fear out of Halloween for kids young and old by sharing some history and facts regarding the holiday and its roots.
http://dailyinfographic.com/halloween-infographic

8. Fall Doodle Paints from Growing a Jeweled Rose

Teach your youngster about the colors and smells of fall while they create a fun, messy masterpiece with these awesome homemade doodle paints!
http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/08/homemade-paint-recipe-fall-doodle-paints.html

9. Play in the Leaves

That's it...just PLAY!

10. Cinnamon Baked Apple Chip Snacks from Beauty and the Beard

These healthy snacks are even better when they are homemade, and perfect for a lunchbox or class treat!
http://beautyandbeard.blogspot.com/2012/03/baked-apple-chips.html#uds-search-results

There you have it! Be sure to check out all the featured bloggers, and try some of these fun activities with your family!
Stop by, and follow my "Fall Fun and Decor" Board on Pinterest for quick access to all these links and more great fall finds!