Tagged: bear

Getting Back to School (and blogging!)

First Day of School

Hello again!

It’s been almost a year since I’ve blogged but not since the last time I crafted. The truth is that I’ve been crafting all year long, but just haven’t been blogging them because… well, because I was too busy crafting. I ended up doing a few different things this year: calligraphy, hand lettering, watercolor, and paper cutting. It’s been a year to try all the things!

However, my younger kids have asked sweetly to get some bentos for this school year. And since my last kiddo is in first grade, it’s my last chance.

So today’s bento theme is “Have Fun, Learn Lots”. The main is a bear (our school mascot) and includes some little notes of encouragement for the first day of school.


Main  PB sandwich. I added the note with tape that says “learn lots” to the back of the clear container, so it doesn’t get stained or touches part of the food.
Sides Cotton Candy grapes (with a pick that says “have fun”) and pistachios
Also included but not pictured Water and an fruit cup for snack


Included in today’s bento:

Does a bear poop in the woods? A Charmin(g) Bento

bearpoop

Yesterday, I was getting the kiddos ready for school and scrolling through my usual websites when a friend showed me a blog post by Baby Sideburns, which was about the pressure she felt from all those Pinterest lunches that she sees. She pointed out my Elsa lunch (in a rather funny matter) as an example of doing too much for lunch time. I totally get that– I know it’s not for everyone and I’ve had people tell me that I’m nuts for doing this at all. I must have too much time on my hands (nope, 3 small children, household, and a job) or I must be trying to make other kids jealous of mine (nope, I know my kid’s whole class — I used to teach them drawing — and every kid who mentioned it to me seems pretty cool about it) or whatnot.

I know I’m rambling a bit. Stay with me here.

I know some people see the Pinterest stuff as one mom one-upping the next. But call me an idealist when I say that I hope that more than making people feel bad, I (and all my Pinterest-posting crafty friends) am really looking to put out inspiration into the world. Not only inspiration to make lunches fun, ( because, I know just as well as anyone that lunch is just lunch), but really, to make some mundane tasks (packing kid lunches!) more fun for me and once in a while, make a kid smile. That ain’t so bad, is it?

So to make myself smile, my kiddo smile (potty humor is big around here), and hopefully some of my followers smile, today I made a bear pooping in the woods bento. And I want to tell everyone, I was inspired by Baby Sideburns’ bento! Thanks Baby Sideburns!

In today’s lunch:


Main A PB & strawberry jam bear sandwich; the toilet roll is a piece of a Pirouette wafer wrapped in a little bit of white fondant. The bear poop is mini chocolate chips 😉
Sides Trail mix and galia melon trees
Also included but not pictured A fuji apple for snack time


Today I used: