April 2015 – Sprinkles in my Lunchbox

30
Apr
2015

Happy Birthday! VPK School Lunch

Saturday is my Big Buddy’s 5th birthday. I honestly don’t know where the time went. I blinked. I literally only blinked.

He was screaming and crying, in his new baby way, his little newborn faced all scrunched up. He then turned his gorgeous violet eyes on to me and stopped crying. We gazed into each others’ eyes, and time stood still. That was the first moment of my life, as well as his.

I knew there was a Bigs-shaped hole in my heart, before he was born, but what I didn’t know was just how perfectly he’d fill it. He’s completely changed my life. He’s made me less selfish. He’s taught me patience (but oh, I am still working on this one). He’s taught me unconditional love, from a depth in my heart I didn’t know existed. This boy is so incredibly special. I hope he feels as loved as he is, always, for I’d surely be lost without him. <3

To kick off his 5th birthday celebrations, I packed a special birthday lunch for him for tomorrow:

I made a cupcake shaped PB&J and added detailing to show the cupcake liner, the icing, and a cherry, and added confetti sprinkles. I also packed goldfish crackers, blueberries, trail mix, a mandarin orange, and seasoned corn. I used my cake slice silicone molds and cupcake picks as decoration. I didn’t pack a dessert because I’ll be bringing donuts into school after lunch.

It’s going to be awesome having a 5 year old. He’s simply the best.

Kristin

29
Apr
2015

Thursday Lunches – Ocean Themed

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

Continuing on with Ocean Week for my big boy, here is his lunch from today and for tomorrow:

The octopus lunch is, by far, my favorite animal themed lunch. I love under-the-sea and in particular, squids and octopi. They are so rad to me. Anyways, I made an octopus shaped PB&J. I spread a little bit of PB on his arms and stuck confetti sprinkles on. I added two all-knowing candy eye balls. I also packed blueberries, raspberries, goldfish crackers, a mandarin orange, and a homemade chocolate chip sprinkle cookie.

I made a crab shaped PB&J for tomorrow. I used a teeny bit of red food-safe spray and added eyes. I also packed red grapes, blueberries, goldfish crackers, frozen corn (I added salt & pepper, he does not mind eating cold corn at lunch), and a homemade rice krispie treat.

And for my itty bitty:

I packed half a PB&J (it’s hiding under one of those chocolate chip sprinkle cookies), red grapes, broccoli with ranch, and dat cookie.

Hope you are having a rad week!

Kristin

27
Apr
2015

Seahorse VPK School Lunch

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

It’s a new week, and my big kid will be studying the Ocean. I love ocean life. To kick off the week, I made a seahorse themed lunch for my Bigs.

I made a seahorse shaped PB&J. I also packed goldfish crackers (fresh water, I know), red grapes, a mandarin orange, and some trail mix. For dessert, he chose lemon-lime Jell-o. It’s my big boy’s birthday week, so I didn’t mind letting him have this, this time.

I also packed a lunch for my little guy. We are going on a play date and I think he’ll find this to be more enticing than a square sandwich.

I packed the same seahorse sandwich, trail mix, goldfish crackers, red grapes, and iced animal crackers for dessert.

Did you know that seahorses have no stomachs? That’s why they are constantly eating, all day long, just to stay alive. There are also over forty known species of seahorses!

#themoreyouknow

Kristin

23
Apr
2015

Camel VPK School Lunch

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

I should have made this lunch on Wednesday! Tomorrow’s lunch is a camel themed lunch.

I packed a camel shaped PB&J (I made him goldish with some food safe spray), some Trader Joe’s apple puffy things, assorted dried fruit (craisins, dates, ginger), a mandarin orange, and red grapes.

HAPPY ~~HUMP DAAAAYYY~~ FRIDAY!!!

Kristin

22
Apr
2015

Thursday Lunches – Gorillas and Happy Faces

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

My oldest son eats as much as a 900 pound gorilla. At any given time. This is a fact. He said today’s lunch just wasn’t enough food. Soooo….

Here’s his 900 pound gorilla lunch for tomorrow:

I made a gorilla shaped ham, cheese, and mayo on whole wheat bread. I also packed Trader Joe’s cinnamon apple puff stick things, goldfish crackers, a whole mandarin orange, green grapes, and raspberries.

Cross your gorilla paws (are they called paws, I need to know) that this is enough.

For my small little chimp:

I made a half peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a smiley face. His favorite color is blue and he loves when I draw smiley faces for some reason (because they are happy I’m guessing). He also loves when I draw “wacky guys”, you know, those air filled tall things that do that wacky little dance in front of hot tub stores? My Smalls both loves and is scared of them. We do the “wacky guy” dance at home. I digress. I also packed a chocolate chip cookie, carrots and hummus, and goldfish crackers. He’s got the apple sticks and applesauce for snack.

Get it.

Kristin

21
Apr
2015

Lion VPK School Lunch

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

Tomorrow continues Zoo Week for my big kid, so here is his lion-themed lunch:

I made a lion-shaped ham, cheese, and mayo on whole wheat bread. I added just a few details with my Food Writers. Sadly, this lion could also be confused for a magical My Little Pony, due to my subpar decorating “skills”. I suppose that isn’t too sad. I loved MLP. Oh well. I also packed half a mandarin orange, some goldfish crackers, applesauce, green grapes, and raspberries.

Rawr.

Or neiiighhhh.

I’m not sure.

Kristin

20
Apr
2015

Elephant VPK School Lunch

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

Tomorrow starts “Zoo Week” in my Bigs’ class. To start it off, I went with the grand old elephant.

I made a PB&J elephant, and he is sitting upon his crusty knoll. I threw in some oyster crackers, but they are hiding. I also packed a mandarin orange and some vanilla Greek yogurt, with elephant sprinkles.

Kristin

16
Apr
2015

Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

Today was my Co-op day in school. On these days, I get to be in class, as a Helper Parent, with my oldest son. It is a really neat opportunity. Just like my son (or my son, like me), my favorite time of day is Lunch Time. It is so fun, sitting on those pint-sized chairs, surrounded by those kids and their lunches. The stuff they come up with to talk about during this time is hilarious…and weird. And everyone talks about the food in their lunch. It’s a riot. One of my Bigs’ classmates had made her own lunch the night before and he wanted to do the same for tomorrow’s lunch.

He made the whole thing with minimal help from me. 🙂 He made his PB&J, and cut it into the shapes of his choosing.

He added Goldfish crackers, green grapes, raspberries, and two Cotton Candy Oreos. I’m quite proud! He’s such a neat kid.

In other PB&J news, I made these amazing Peanut Butter & Jelly Lunch Lady Cupcakes a while back and they were some of the best I’ve ever made. My mouth waters just thinking about them.

Here is the link:

https://sprinklesinmylunchbox.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/the-lunch-lady-and-her-cupcakes/

Have a rad Friday!

Kristin

16
Apr
2015

Chicken & Sausage Paella with Turmeric Rice

categories: Dinner

“Dinner.” “What the bleep do I make?” “Those people are going to be hungry.” “I should let them fend for themselves, but I’m sure I’d regret that.” “It doesn’t matter what I make, they’re going to complain about it anyways.” “Arguments will occur. Feelings [mine] will be hurt.” “Maybe I’m just too sensitive.” “Yes, that’s right, sensitive, but with the palate of a world-renowned food taster. Those little sh*ts don’t know what they’re missing.”

Do those thoughts run through your head, too? It can’t just be me.

I’ve started meal planning [attempted to, if we’re honest] as a way to eliminate some of those inner thoughts. The complaining, however, often still occurs. That I can’t seem to help. So here is a meal to add to your plan, complaining not withheld.

Chicken & Sausage Paella with Turmeric Rice

Recipe adapted from: Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook, 75th Anniversary Edition

Serves: 8 (maybe more)

3 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

4-5 links of turkey sausage (I used mild Italian turkey sausage)

1 large onion, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced (or garlic powder, or garlic from the tube)

1 T fresh or dried thyme (the original recipe called for more, but I’m not overly fond of thyme)

S&P

14 oz chicken stock

saffron or turmeric

Cooking white wine

2 C chopped tomatoes

2 medium or 4 small bell peppers, chopped

frozen peas

rice

Place your chicken (mine was partially frozen) in the crock pot. Place your sausage (also partially frozen) on top of the chicken. Place the sliced onion, thyme, S&P, and chicken stock on top of the meat. Set on HIGH for 4-6 hours or LOW for 8 ish hours. At the very end, while you are cooking your rice, add your chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, and frozen peas (we also added corn and jalapeno).

Make your rice as directed. Add a few shakes of turmeric and a few splashes of cooking wine. I didn’t have any saffron and I like to use turmeric because it is good for digestion.

Serve crock mixture over the rice.

15
Apr
2015

Three Lunch Thursday

categories: Kid Food, Lunchbox

Tomorrow is my Co-op day at my sons’ school. I get to enjoy my oldest for the entire day!

Here is my lunch:

I made a salad (greens, bell pepper, yellow cherry tomatoes, carrots, and vinaigrette. I also packed a navel orange, green grapes, raspberries with semi-sweet chocolate chips in them, and some dark chocolate coconut bark. I can’t wait.

My Bigs’ lunch has the continued transportation theme. Although they are still learning about boats, I went trucks. Beep.

I made a PB&J and used a pickup truck cutter on one piece of the bread. I added a few red sprinkles on top of the jelly to make it more of a profound (and less sticky) truck shape. I also packed pretzel sticks, green grapes, and semi-sweet chocolate chip stuffed raspberries for his dessert.

And for my teeny weeny Smalls:

He requested a “triangle” shaped PB&J, about which I forgot. I just told him I went with a rectangle shaped one. And he bought it. 😀 I also packed green grapes, pretzel sticks, dried cranberries, and a chocolate chip cookie. He requested all of those.

Have a great Thursday!

Kristin

Month: April 2015