Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss (Lunch) Day 1

This week my youngest daughter's school is observing Read Across America week by celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday. It's not unsusal, but it's always fun. 

The theme today is Fox in Socks, the children are all wearing mismatched socks and here is F's lunch. 

Hope she enjoys it!

Simple Nutella and fresh strawberry sandwich with more strawberries and cheese-its on the side. 

New Year's Lunch Resolution for 2016

According to the USDA "Americans waste enough food every day to fill a 90,000 seat football stadium." I'll be honest, I struggle with my kid's lunches. I feel like I am always trying to figure out how much food is enough to send and I am often frustrated with how much comes home, and shocked at what comes home. In an effort to have less food go into the trash I am scaling back, bento lunch boxes have always been our favorites for lunch anyway, and I appreciate how they allow me to control the portion sizes my children take to school each day. 

Here are the lunches I sent earlier this week. 

Half sandwiches. On the right are cucumbers with Tajin in the heart, and a 100% juice Caprisun. On the left, pretzels, a yogurt and a cutie. 

A close up of one

Each time something comes home I am going to try to figure out if it's something they didn't like, didn't feel like, or if I sent too much food. This day the juice on the right came home and so did the cutie. At least we are getting closer...

Happy New Year!

Of a Visiting Carrot

Today the most awesome carrot came to visit our home. Her name, Elizabeth, Liz for short. 

Not your run of the mill carrot, Liz was full of personality and clearly here to bring some sunshine to the last day of winter break. Liz was fun, and helpful!

She visited my husband as he prepared our dinner, didn't take offense when she saw him preparing the veggies...

She helped me with the Christmas tree...

It was when she went outside to play with the kids that we saw the first warning signs.

The rabbit, typically a sweet if slightly standoffish animal, seemed a bit too interested in Liz. 

Buddy our dog got between them and made sure Liz was safe. (Our Hero!)

Sadly, I turned my back on Liz to help my husband in the kitchen. 

When I checked on her again she was being mauled! It was terrifying!

The bunny was merciless!

Our Lil ran out crying and got between Liz and the bunny. She checked Liz's vitals and it appeared she was not breathing so Lil attempted CPR.

Her entire arm had been eaten and the damage was too extensive. Liz was left a vegitable.

Goodbye Liz Carrot. RIP

Pet Parenting in the Heat

Along with my two children, I am also the pet parent to two creatures. The first is a 3+ year old fluffy white bunny. The second is a small white puppy. 

The bunny is free range during daylight hours and the dog comes and goes in and out as long as someone is home. 

With the recordbreaking heat their survival has been a worry.  I don't want them to become prisoners and so far we have been able to provide them each with relief without crating them in the house. 

Here is what we do- utilizing 4 or 5 milk jugs that were previously "customized" to help in slow watering the trees is the key. 

First, I bring out one of our shower buckets and dump the contents onto our cement patio in the area I know will get the least amount of sun all day. 

Next, I fill the jugs with water, replace the lids, and set them out at the top of the designated area. These jugs have one to 4 small pin holes in their bottoms which allow water to leak out when the lids are loosened. Once they are in place I adjust the lids to allow a tiny bit of water to leak out. On extra hot days I also add some Ice packs, just to be safe. 

This combination, along with plenty of water, seems to do the trick. Both animals enjoy laying on the cool slightly damp cement patio and we are controlling the amount of water used which keeps my anxiety at a minimum. 

I wonder what other people do....

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Do you do silly and sometimes ludicrous things to establish family traditions or foster a sense of wonder at home? Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and I totally forgot to get goodies to leave from the Leprechauns. I hope one of my girls lets me have their cereal! 

A Quick and Literal Tale

I realized today that my children are way too literal.  
Yesterday my husband, in a moment of frustration,  asked her how many times he had to ask her to do something. She replied 6. 
Today I asked the 7yo how many spoons of Nutella one person needs. She said 2. 
Oh for the love of sweetness! What are your options when this happens? 
I see two clear options in this sort of a situation-
1) Laugh
2) Hit my head on the nearest solid structure

A Tale of Mrs. Mean Guy and How I Learned I Am NOT Mrs. Brady

This is not news, but there are aspects of parenting that really suck rocks. One of my least favorite parts of the job is having to e the bad guy. There are days, weeks, maybe even months, when I swear every other word out of my mouth is "don't" or "no" or "stop-it!" to one or both of my children. It's so tiring and frankly sucks the joy from my most inner core.

As an aside, my sister and I didn't always get along, but I can't believe we would have survived to see 10 if we had behaved the way my kids do. In my fantasies my girls are best of friends and ultimately these fantasy children of mine become strong, polite young women who have a deep bond. I am even OK with the idea that they will gang up on us, their parents. I picture a happy Jan and Marcia Brady, sure they fight but within 20 minutes they are sharing sweaters and working at the ice cream parlor together. Is it really too much to ask?

Sorry, now back to reality. This past April after hosting a birthday party my 7yo daughter got a coupon for the Build-a-Bear Workshop down by Disneyland. Today was the expiration date. Earlier this week I told both girls that we could go and use this coupon along with the left over gift cards I had from the party, today, Saturday. The caveat? They needed to behave. I thought I was setting the bar low. Honestly I did. I didn't want to let this discount expire any more than they wanted to skip a trip to BaB. I should also add that nearly every Saturday the kids and I go to a restaurant about 10 miles from our house and meet family members for breakfast.

Here was the basic plan when I got up this morning. Let the kids sleep in. Get them dressed and out the door by 8am, be to breakfast by 8:30, then from there if all has gone well we would go over to BaB.

It started going south about 15 minutes after they got up.  From the start they were arguing and grumpy with each other (strike 1). They didn't do what I asked them to do in preparation for leaving the house but instead said "hold on I am doing…." (strike 2). They constantly interrupted the adults at breakfast, didn't eat the meals they ordered and refused to sit in their seats (3, 4 and 5). I could go on. The 4yo took her sisters 1 Direction trading cards and colored on them (strike 6!) There was crying, there was baby talk (OMG I HATE BABY TALK!) and there was basic rudeness. I swear I reminded them over and over again about the promised trip and the consequences of their behavior. Honestly I did, before, during, and after.

Finally breakfast was over and we got in the car. The first thing out of both their mouths was "let's go to Build-a-Bear!" I'm sorry. WHAT? Somebody needed a reality check, for sure! Had we come from the same restaurant? Did they even understand what the expectations had been? Who did they think they were fooling with this sunny declaration? Had they recently been hit in the head and lost their memory? Why, oh why, could they not just behave?!

I know that I am not Mrs. Brady because if I were I would have been able to make some sweet and simple statement and they would have had a total attitude adjustment. Instead we had this….
Me "Girls, what did I say you needed to do to earn the visit to BaB?"
Them "We needed to get ready quick, listen and be good."
Me "How do you think you did?'
Them silence
Me "Honestly, how do you think you did?
7yo "badly"
Me "….I am sorry to have to say this but we can't go to BaB today or I would be teaching you the wrong thing."
Them crying and begging lots of "we will be good now!" and disingenuous promises that involved the rest of the day 
Me "Please stop. I am not changing my mind, we will do it another time, IF you shape up."

And so instead of going and having a fun morning building stuffed animals we filled up the gas tank and drove through the car wash. Sadly they have continued to bicker and jump all over each other for the slightest offense and so as of now they have also lost TV (although I would pay anything to be able to just chill on the sofa in front of some cartoons right now.) It is honestly hurting me as much as it is hurting them.

Fingers crossed they start getting their act together. We have three more days until they are out of school and the prospect of being home with them fighting and baby-talking for the next few months makes me want to run away and join the circus.

Portrait of me by 4yo- I named it Mad Mommy

Well readers? Do you have any parenting advice? Over the counter meds I should try on days like this?

Awesome Sesame Noodles

Today was a school picnic for F, the 4yo. It's a potluck event and so I decided to make my very favorite  Sesame Noodle dish which was given to me nearly 20 years ago by a friend. It's slightly spicy and sooooo good!
Sadly I forgot to take a picture of it but I did send some in the 7yo's lunch so can show the bit she took with her. 

L's lunch- PB sandwich, apples, and yummy sesame noodles

For those of you wondering how to make this, I am posting the recipe here. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! Enjoy!!!

Sesame Noodles 

Quantity                                      Ingredients     

1/4 c.                                           soy sauce

3 T.                                             Sesame Oil

2 T.                                             Red Wine Vinegar

1 1/2 T.                                       Sugar

1 T.                                             Chili Sauce w/Garlic (Sambal Oelek)

12oz package                              Chinese water-style noodles or spaghetti 

4                                                  green onions sliced

2                                                  bell peppers julienne

2 T.                                              Cilantro, chopped (I use an entire bunch but just the leaves)

2-4t                                              sesame seeds (I use toasted and normal)

Blend marinade ingredients until well combined (can be done a day ahead, cover and chill). Bring to room temperature. Cook noodles al dente, cool and toss with marinade and remaining ingredients. Serve chilled. This works as an entree and feeds 4 or as a side and feeds 8-10. 

A Tale of a Birthday Lunch

Today is my eldest daughters birthday, I wanted to something a little special for her so I made her a cupcake sandwich.

The sandwich has Nutella in it and the rest is very straight forward with apples and goldfish crackers. Simple, right?

At lunch I also took cookies and 8oz bottles of water to her class. Birthday girls' choice. 

It was a busy day but well worth it to see her smile. 

Happy 7th Birthday To my first born! 

A Tale of Being Thankful

I got a text today from my husband that simply said "Mike passed away yesterday" while I was leaving my neighborhood Starbucks. I sat in the car and cried like a baby, or as I am sure the customers leaving Starbucks thought, I cried like a crazy lady. Well, my apologies to the fine people who happened to pass me at that time but sometimes these things really can not be helped. 

Here are some things you should know about my friend. He was a really good guy. A devoted husband, father and musician.  He had an amazing memory for the names of designers, strength beyond his size, and an uncanny (some might say slightly freaky) ability to look at a woman and not just guess, but KNOW their dress size. I don't know how the hell he did that but it was truly amazing. Mike also had the ability to make people feel welcome and I know there was a large group of the local community who loved going into his shop to spend time just talking to him. That's the kind of guy he was. 

Here are some things, beyond what I wrote above, that I admired about Mike. 
The way he looked at his wife. He was one of those guys who you knew by every thing he did, that he really loved his her. 
The way he openly adored his son. 
The way he talked to my kids like real people. 
His energy and enthusiasm. 
His excitement for, and knowledge of good design. 
His ability and willingness to listen to people. 

OK. So to be honest I know he was not perfect. None of us are. 

The last time I saw Mike was a couple of months ago when we got together for breakfast. This was something we had come to do over the years, we would go to their house, they would come to ours or we would meet at a local restaurant or a museum. This last time was just after he had finished up some treatment or another and before he went in for surgery on his neck. He was in pain and had been sick for a while. If it were me I would have been just grumpy and totally miserable to be around. Not Mike. He was his normal affable self. Ill never forget some of the things Mike has said to me over the years. 

No one lives forever. It may be a disappointment to some but I simply can't believe there is a magical after life we go to after this. I believe that it's what we do in this life that is so very important. It's who we love, who we help or learn from, what we do that counts. Perhaps this is too simplistic but I believe that as long as I remember those I have cared about who pass that they live through me. As long as I remember the lessons I have learned from them and share those lessons, they live through me. 

I am a better person for having known Mike. Not because of his death, but because of his life. Honestly I don't have much more of a tribute to pay to anyone. I am thankful that I knew him. 

My hope for all of us is that no matter how much time each of us has on this earth that we are able to love whole heartily, listen when children speak to us, find the time for our family and friends, and face each day no matter what it brings with an energy and enthusiasm like Mike would. 

A Bunny Tale

Last summer my kids found a bunny in our neighbors roses.

One of the kids feeds our new bunny a treat

The poor little guy was clearly someone's pet that had gotten loose. No one in our neighborhood claimed him and within a day we had a new pet.

Anyway, Spring is here and so I made a lunch for the 6yo that looks like the bunny.

Tale of a School Spirit Sandwich

Friday is School Spirit day at my daughter's elementary school. When I have the time (aka get up nice and early) I try to make her a lunch that reflects the school mascot which is a bee. I didn't sleep much last night so I had plenty of time to think about what to do today. 

Here is her painted bento lunch for Friday March 14, 2014. 
I hope she likes it!

PB&J sandwich with apple slices and cookies

Close-up of today's sandwich

A Tale of Tuesday's Lunch

Here is the lunch that went with L today. It's a pb&j sandwich painted with food coloring. On the side she has apple slices and a rice cake snack. To tie the the two boxes together I used the disposable grass for bento lunches my last remaining silicone flower and leaf (where do they go?) 

To rid the sandwich of it's crust I got used a sandwich sealer that I got at Northgate Market and made by Wonder Bread. It's a fantastic little device that seals the sandwich and removes the crust. The final product is similar to an uncrustable but you are in control of the content of the sandwich and the type of bread used. 

Ta-Da! The finished product. 

Happy Tuesday!

A Tale of…Doctors Orders

At my last physical the Doctor told me I need to increase my calcium intake. 

Today while looking for something to eat for lunch I found a half eaten pint of Ben and Jerry's Mint Cookie Ice Cream and was confronted with the question:If I eat it for lunch, am I following Dr's orders? 

A Tale of A Hump Day

This week's hump day is hitting hard at my house. 
Last night we went to a family event and didn't get home until nearly 10:00. Not too late, until you consider the kids are accustomed to going into their bed between 7:30 and 8 with lights out at 8. The 4yo actually turned to me and said "Mommy I think it's past my bedtime" last night. Thankfully she doesn't have school today but the 6yo does and it starts in a little over half an hour. As for me. I got to bed at a normal time, actually maybe a bit early. SO why am I so darn tired today? NO IDEA. My guess is the change in schedule. 

Anyway, this morning I woke with a start at 6 on the dot already 45 minutes behind schedule. WTH? I seems I forgot to set my alarm. D'OH! Well, I am more or less caught up but still feeling sluggish and in need of a laugh. 

In the spirit of Hump Day I wanted to share this clip from the 1990's tv show Friends. It's one of my favorite story lines and the reaction of the friends is priceless. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and wish you all Happy Wednesday! 

Tale of a Confused Mom

My children have an alarm that is set for 6:35 Monday through Friday. On Saturday we have a standing 8:30 breakfast date but I let them sleep until the last possible moment. Strangely the past few days they have started getting up before my alarm, not their alarm, but almost an hour earlier than that. What is going on?!?!?! I need that time to do stuff, like shower. This has got to stop.

A Tale of A Christmas Wish

It's nearing the end of Christmas Day 2013. My children are in bed an my husband is sitting comfortably on the sofa watching Dr. Who. All is right in our little world. At least it is at the moment.

Turn back the clock 48 hours and you would find a very different picture. 

At 3:30 am on Monday morning I woke with the kind of pain that in any movie is only caused by alien parasites or demon possession. That doubling over, gripping your fists, wake you up like a boot to the gut pain. Hopefully I have made my situation clear. Turns out I had a bit of that nasty old stomach flu that Has been "Going Around". Off to the bathroom went I to do what needed to de done to calm the beast. Just when I returned to my bed, cold, sweating, shivering, I heard a commotion down the hall in my kids room. Rather than have them wake their dad I went to find out what was happening. I came upon the two headed to the bathroom. The 4yo needed to throw up and as reported by the 6yo had possibly already done so in the bed. I felt like the exact opposite of someone who had just won a mega-lottery. 

Anyway, off I went to take care of the kids and investigate the incident in the bed. Sure enough, the bed needed cleaning and both kids were wide awake. I set them up in the family room, removed the soiled bedding, and then went back into the bathroom to be sick several more times. 

My favorite moment or possibly just the most notable was later in the morning. Just after I experienced a rather violent wave of diarrhea, I attempted to leave the bathroom only to be hit by an epic wave of nausea that I attempted to control with the classic hand over mouth move. Unfortunately, the pressure behind the hand was more than it could contain and the contents of my stomach found another route, pushing it's way out my nose. That's not the best bit though. There's more! After the job of cleaning up that mess was complete. Left shaking, and I'm sorry to admit, crying, I turned for my smartphone which was on the counter next to the porcelain god to which I had been praying. I reached for it with my shaking right hand and that damn phone leapt from my hand and took a dive into the toilet! As if it had a will of it's own. I swear it! 

The next moment happened in slow motion and went like this- 

I yelled "NO!" 

Reached into the dread toilet of sick (recall I had just cleaned the bathroom and flushed several times, but still YUCK!), removed the device, and hearing my sisters words in my ear I quickly turned off the device and attempted to dry it as best I could. 

Then I performed the only sort CPR I was capable of. I entombed my dear phone, my lifeline, in a ziplock bag filled with large white rice. Fingers crossed drying and not dying.  

So here is my Christmas wish. That my smartphone live through the trauma as the 4yo and I myself have somehow done. That the technology gods smile upon me this Christmas and allow the phone to survive to see 2014. Please.....

A Tale of A Yeti Sandwich

I love the 1964 Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer movie! The moved played each year as I was growing up. It's one of my favorites from the holiday seasons of my childhood. 

http://youtu.be/ohlSF_TNrBo

After the last post about not painting sandwiches I realized that the 4yo had an extended day and needed a lunch. I love elves and we have already watched the movie several times this season. The 4yo love Yeti's so I decided to paint her sandwich with a picture of Bumble and ta-da! Here it is. 

Nutella sandwich painted with food coloring, on the side we have apples and a mix of Goldfish with M&M's. 

 I also made my own food pick using clipart and a toothpick. Super simple and it brings Hermey and Rudolph to the party.

Bumble the yeti

While searching for the movie on youtube I also found this 2004 interview with the man who wrote the book on the production company that produced these movies. It's interesting and now I am tempted to go find his books.

There is nothing better than good animation or a good sandwich. <3

Tales of A Poem About Death

I found this a few weeks ago when I was looking for Dia de los Muertos inspiration.

Someday I'll be a weather-beaten skull resting on a grass pillow,
Serenaded by a stray bird or two.
Kings and commoners end up the same,
No more enduring than last night's dream.
~Ryokan

I love the way the author understands the way death is a part of the natural order and does not romanticize the afterlife as an otherworld full of happy people hanging out in a white and gold cloud world. Those images always kind of depress me. The idea that afar it all, I will have a chance to feed the earth and maybe if I am luck a plant or tree, well that sounds like heaven to me!

The 6yo and 4yo on our way to a Dia de los Muertos festival 2013

Tale of A Bento Evolution

If you know me, or if you have visited any of my older posts you know that I spent the 2012-13 school year making themed lunches for my kids. It really was a lot of fun, it started conversations with people at my daughters new school and I know the girls enjoyed it as well. I mean, I know these are not the best bento's in the world. I know that they pale compared to the art of many more authentic bentos mom's are making every day out of noodles, tiny eggs and vegetables. However I enjoyed making them for my kids and it became a bit of a hobby for me.
Here is an example of a lunch based on one of our favorite books. 

Bento from 2012-13 school year. Hungry Hungry Caterpillar .

This will come as no shock to anyone, these lunches took a chunk of time. Not that my kids aren't worth it, but sometimes I want to sleep in until 5:30. Boo, hoo, hoo. I know. 

Soot balls, flowers and leaves for both my girls. 

In April the still 5yo came in contact with a PB sandwich made with a Hawaiian Roll and fell in love. This simple sandwich was thrown together using a roll left over from a family dinner and our normal pb&honey mixture I keep in the pantry. She loved it. Imagine my luck! Over six months later the Hawaiian Roll sandwiches are all she wants. 

So now the lunches look more like this-

PB&H on Hawaiian Rolls. Apple slices, pretzels, string cheese and a Yukult drink. 

It just doesn't have that same Shazam! but she is happy and I have a bit more time. It is just my kids lunch after all. Right?