October School Lunches!

The best part of October lunches was making treats "for the kids."  I've gotten some questions on what I feed my younger two and, generally, I feed them the same thing I send with my Kindergartener!  They're both pretty good eaters, but need variety so they don't get bored eating the same thing every day.

 

[PB&J, banana, Gogurt, Football shaped pretzels, confetti sugar cookies]

[Halloween Mac 'n Cheese, Trader Joe's organic Animal Crackers, Grapes]

[Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Greek Yogurt w/ Sprinkles, Broccoli]

[PB&J, Cheez Itz, and Mixed Fruit]

[Homemade Lunchable: Chicken Chunks, Cheddar Cheese, Pretzel Sticks, Mini Cookies, & Grapes]

[Turkey, Cheese, Crackers, Banana Muffin, Grapes, & Dark Chocolate Chips]

[Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Knot, Grapes, Mini Cookies]

[Beef & Cheese Burrito, Smoothie, Bitsy Brainfood Cookies, & Mixed Veggies]

On the day we made 'lunchables,' someone spilled Stevie's lunch and it was the worst day ever until they gave him pizza from the cafeteria.  I was SO THANKFUL when Stevie told me that one of the ladies that works in the school café took him back and got him a lunch when he was crying because I can only imagine his sweet little face when his food fell to the ground.

I scored a couple of boxes of Bitsy Brainfood Cookies from Target for next to nothing with a coupon on Cartwheel and he LOVES them; they're shaped like letters and the ones pictured are made from organic beets and chocolate!  I really like to give my kids 'fun food' and I try to make it homemade most of the time, but these are such a good option for quick grabbing.  Total bonus buy!

Parental Statistics.

# of times I said I would never take my kids in public dressed in their pajamas:  1500
# of times I've probably taken my kids in public dressed in their pajamas:  3000

# of times I said I would never give into the demands of toddlers to make them stop crying:  30,000
# of times I've probably given into the demands of toddlers to make them stop crying:  50,000

# of times I swore I'd NEVER EVER, under any circumstance buy my children fast food: 400
# of times I have probably bought my children fast food: 300

# of pins on Pinterest for teaching toddlers at home: 15,000
# of days per week I implement teaching: 2

# of times I judged a parent after seeing a temper tantrum in a store: 20
# of times I really regret judging parents after my kids throw temper tantrums in stores: 300,000

# of times a day I have to change diapers/clothes: 20
# of times a day my kids act like I'm physically harming them during diaper/clothing changes: 20

# of times I try to sneak away to the bathroom and hide from my toddler dictators: 50
# of times they find me: 50

# of times a day I say, "I'm never having another kid:" 1,000,000
# of times a day I think, "Aww, I want more kids.:" 2,000,000


*Disclaimer:  these are 100% factual.  I take back nothing I've said.

10 Tips for Moms of Toddlers.

Emmy will be technically considered a toddler exactly ONE WEEK from today.  This means, we'll have two little toddler terrors running around being all terror-y.

 



 EXHIBITS A & B:

 

 





  

 

Since I've had a couple already, I'm an expert (naturally) and wanted to share my top TEN tips for moms with toddlers:

 

1.  Definitely stick to a structured, normal nap schedule.  A normal schedule will keep them from getting overtired & cranky.  BONUS:  You'll get some downtime, too!

 

Unless that doesn't work, then basically let them fall asleep wherever they want.  Let's get real - you won't have this magical 'downtime' until they're 18.

 

 

 

 

2.  Invest in comforting items to help you through long trips; suggestions are blankets,      

pacifiers, food, & milk.  Allow them to self-soothe in the vehicle so they get used to traveling.  It will make life SO MUCH easier for you.

 

If that doesn't work, just sit with them.  Because, seriously, who likes to listen to a baby cry in the car?

 



3.  One word:  RULES.  Create them, stick with them, & NEVER go off track.

If that doesn't work, let them lay on the clothes you're trying to fold.

 

 



4.  Invest in age appropriate toys.  This will ensure proper cognitive growth and development.

If they don't want those toys, let them play with your [clean] stethoscope.

 

 

5.  Discuss appropriate public behavior BEFORE you leave the house.  The last thing you want is a public tantrum where everyone is judging how you handle the behavior.

 

If that doesn't work, buy them food and drink at the store to avoid such tantrums.  If they throw a fit anyway, just pretend you don't hear them.  Or know them.  That's what I do and, remember, I'm a pro.

 

 

6.  Treat all of your children the same.  This stops expectations in their tracks and everyone in the family knows his/her role as a PART of the family, not THE main event.

 

Unless you have a princess on your hands.  Then treat her as the princess she is.

 



 

7.  Proper nutrition is EVERYTHING.  They will learn to love fruits and vegetables if you continue to give them regularly with every meal.

 

Unless there's a day you just can't.  Then give them donuts.

 

 

 

8.  Appropriately dress your children when you take them out in public; this teaches them social norms.

 

Unless they want to be a ninja turtle.  Then that's your new norm.

 

 

9.  Teach them that hands are not for hitting, smacking, scratching, or tugging on other toddlers. This is a valuable lesson and one that needs to be learned.

 

If that doesn't work, create physical barriers in every aspect of their lives.

 

 

10.  Accept that toddlerhood is a phase.  This is a just a short period of time and they won't be impossible forever.

 

If you can't do that, pawn them off your strong, hot husband and tell him you need to "take some pictures."