Where We Are

A star themed bento box

Esme's lunches have been particularly boring lately. I usually manage to cut her sandwich with a cookie cutter (which serves the second purpose of taking the dreaded crust off), but other than that it's been pretty blah. I think this is partially because she usually comes home with half of her lunch uneaten. It's hard to get inspired when she doesn't eat it. But- and this is part of why I am fascinated with bento- perhaps she would eat more if it looked more fun!

So here is a recent one, with a special thanks to my friend Jason. It is made from cheese, carrots, apples, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

I still feel that my bentos are missing something. This one seems to need either some green or purple. What do you think? Some purples grapes? Some kale chips?

 

 

A Nature table and two more bentos

I have wanted to make a nature table for several months, after seeing some beautiful ones all over the internet. I keep seeing them in relation to Waldorf education, but I am sure they have been around for ages. Yesterday a kind neighbor took Esme' to the park with her and her daughter, so I got a chance to put the beginnings of our Autumn nature table together. Here it is so far. I am excited to see what treasures the kids want to add as the season goes by. 

I also got a chance to cover up the random shelving full of diapers, wipes, shopping bags, etc. I used a curtain that I found at a yard sale a couple of years ago. I had three of them hanging in front of our closet, and swiped one for this project. I used shower hooks to hang them!

And... here are the much more simple bento boxes from days 3 & 4 of Kindergarten.

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2nd day of Kindergarten & recent knitting

Everyone makes a big deal of the first day of Kindergarten, but I figure the 2nd day is just as big. Here is Esme' on day two of the big K. This photo shows the one new school outfit I bought for her ($8!)

And here is her day two bento box.  A bed of rice with a rainbow made of pasta, some cheese and cucumber cut-outs and a rabbit shaped hard-boiled egg. I love taking the time to do things like this for her, but honestly it didn't take that much more time than a more simple looking lunch (maybe an added ten minutes for this one with the dying of the pasta and egg). I don't show her the bentos so that she can have a surprise when she opens them. This morning on our walk to school, I told her that I hoped it would still be intact when she opened it. She said, "Mama, I don't care if it falls apart. I just like that  you make my lunches". What a little sweetheart. 

On a side note, here is my latest knitting project. I made these mittens for Esme' last year from yarn that a friend hand-dyed and gave to me. Finally, I have made the matching hat!

Have a great day everyone!

First day of Kindergarten!

I can't believe this little doll is in Kindergarten already. I had to ask her to smile... she was not too excited about the whole thing, as the photo below shows. 

I got up a bit earlier than I normally would to make her a special, first day of school, Totoro bento box!! The Totoro and soot sprite are made of nori and provolone cheese. They are on a bed of sushi rice. The lower half of the bento box is made of grapes, dried apicots and ham (a nod to Ponyo here!!). Not all of her bentos will be so elaborate, but this was so fun to make!!

 

This photo shows all of her gear. The lunchbox has a leaf print on it (both sides) from a fun leaf printing activity that we did this summer. The idea is from The Artful Parent.

I love you so much, Esme'!!!! Can't wait to see you after school today! Love, Mommy