Schools out for the Summer!

I cannot believe the school year is over!  It really feels like I was JUST school shopping for the new year.  This year was the first year both of the kiddos were in school. Amelia in kindergarten and Nolan in preschool.  

::Amelia::

Amelia had an end of year performance celebrating what they learned in kindergarten and being ready for first grade.  It was super cute! Each class had a song and in the end all classes sang "first grade" to the tune of New York, New York.  Amelia also received an award for most bubbly,  of course my daughter has a bubbly personality!I have to admit,  I cried!  I'm seriously so emotional when it comes to the kids.  I just can't believe how much she has grown and learned in just the first year of kindergarten.  My girl is doing math and reading! In my day of school I don't remember doing that stuff in Kindergarten,  I remember colors and numbers!  Kids these days are so smart and learning so fast.  

::Nolan::

Nolan started preschool this year.  He was in the toddlers class {2-3 year olds} going in on MWF.  The end of year performance was for the whole school.  It was also the graduation for the adventures class {4-5 year olds} moving on to kindergarten.  Nolan's class is pretty young so they just did one dance and got awards.  I was really proud of Nolan!  He kept dancing and didn't cry.  A lot better from his Christmas performance! Lol He also got most improved award.  So awesome because I've seen so much improvement from him.  At the beginning of the year he was shy and quiet and now he is talkative and has lots of friends.  I was worried about putting him in preschool so young, but it's helped his speech and confidence so much that I know it was the right choice. 

They have grown so much! My babies aren't babies anymore!  Just looking at these pictures and writing this post makes me tear up.  

On a happy note, summer is here in full swing!!! We are slowly but surely working on our summer bucket list!  Much more fun to come!

Lunch Life {4.22.15}

Nolan's lunch in the tri Lunchbots bento

•pb&j sammie • veggie straws • carrots • grapes • honest juice 

Lunch Life {4.20.14}

Nolan's lunch in his Lunchbots quad bento box!

Pretzel chips • carrots • ham & cheese roll ups with eye good picks • Teddy Graham's • and kiwi trees 

Lunch Life// 1.1.2015 - 1.9.2015

::Chip-n-Dale pb&j sammys, pretzel chips, chex mix, oranges and kiwi, carrots, & vitamins::

::mac-n-cheese, pretzels, Asian pear, ham & cheese roll ups::

::homemade 3 cheese pizza, steamed green beans, grapes, and goldfish crackers::

::turkey & cheese kitty sandwich, veggies straws, carrots & ranch, yogurt, and strawberries::

::veggie straws, carrots, strawberries, Ritz crackers, cheese, turkey, & vitamins::

{using leftovers today}

:: homemade chicken tenders, veggies straws, rice, corn, tangerine, grapes, & vitamins::

Congratulations Class of 2014

Welp, that's it....school's out for the summer!!!  Actually its been out, I'm just super late writing about it. :(  HAHAHA

The school year came and went.  This was Sweet Pea's last year of preschool.  I officially have a kindergartner!!!  Where does the time go?  Anyway, this end of school year was pretty eventful...preschool graduation. I always thought it was kinda funny seeing those lil kids with cute little caps getting their certificates.  I don't remember my last day of preschool being so cool.  I just remember it all of a sudden being summer and I didn't have to wake up early.

Amelia's school held a promotion and graduation for the whole school.  She was super excited about it.  I remember her telling me mid-May about them practicing for their graduation.  She was def pumped about it, as she should be!! I thought the ceremony was very cute.  All the kids were dressed up in their Sunday's best and the Discovers class (ages 4-5 Amelia's Class)  all had little caps on. {I DIE}  I was taking pics left and right, filling up my SD card. All the classes did a performance and then each class handed out some awards.  Amelia got most dependable.  I'm not sure what to make of that.  Haha  She looked so proud getting it, I couldn't help but beam with excitement for her.  Once again, taking a million pics.  Then came the certificate ceremony, when the graduating class got their certificates.  I lost it.  I honestly, didn't think I was going to.  I thought, hey this is a cute ceremony, but its no biggie.  I was totally wrong.  I know I probably sound crazy.  Seeing her get her lil certificate, it hit me like a ton of bricks, I don't have a lil toddler anymore, let alone my lil baby girl.  She is a full blown kid.  I remember when she was only hours old, trying to picture her growing up, it felt like a lifetime away.  {I'm even tearing up writing this, I'm such a sap!}

I laughed at the notion of a ceremony for preschool before, but now I get it.  The ceremony isn't for the kids, its for the parents.  Every parent in that room had nothing but smiles on their faces and their cameras and iphones rolling.  The school didn't have to do that, it was a great gesture and memory for the parents to keep with them forever.  The whole ceremony was over the top, but I think it was well worth it.  Well, here is to the class of 2014 :)

Field Trip Chaperon

Since it's the month of the military child, its fitting to do a post about my recent chaperon experience with A's school.

When I was growing up, my parents were never able to come to any of my field trips.  I don't resent them for it, I understand that they were busy working and providing for our family.  I can't say that I wasn't jealous of the other kids whose parents tagged along.  I always wished my parents would come.  I know they would have if they could.

So when A's first field trip came up and her school was asking for chaperons I totally volunteered!  Right after, I immediately became nervous.  How would I handle all theses preschoolers?  I know I wouldn't be doing this alone, but the task was daunting....I'm not the best with kids. lol :)  For starters I don't have patience and I hate going to places with big crowds {unless its the mall}.  Either way, I was excited and stoked about getting to hang with my sweet pea and her school.  She was really excited too, it had been awhile since we had done something together.

Since sweet pea is attending a new school, this was actually their first field trip.  The plan was to go to the aquarium.  Its not just any aquarium, its the 3rd largest aquarium in the world.  It used to be 2nd, but a new one was built in Dubai.  We've been a handful of times before as a family so I was familiar with the place.  That put me at ease a lil bit.  For this being the first field trip this school has every put together, it was coordinated pretty nicely.  I'm sure its no picnic to plan and travel with 60 plus kids and a handful of adults.

 We traveled in nice buses up there and back.  The kids were watching Finding Nemo on the way up to get pumped for the trip.  It ended up being a beautiful spring day. We had a great time.  I loved seeing the kids light up witch each tank we visited.  I loved that A was so happy that I was there.  She made it a point to introduce me to everyone in her class.  I loved being able to talk to the teachers and staff, putting faces with names.  I loved seeing sweet pea interact with all her lil friends.  She is actually quite popular...there were lots of kids who wanted to be her walking partner. :)  It melted my heart. I literally stressed for no reason.  And I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I love that I am able to be involved with my kids' school and help when needed.

                                     

      

                            

                             

Do You Bento?????

When in Rome....right???  I've always been so intrigued with bento boxes.  No, not the kind that you pick up from your local Japanese restaurant that comes with a Cali roll, shrimp tempura, and some teriyaki chicken.  Ohh shrimp tempura sounds yummmyyy.   I remember when I was in college there was a girl I would see in the cafeteria and she the most intricate bento boxes.  I remember seeing a Sailor Moon one!  I was blown away.     Anyways... the intricate lunch boxes that look like they came out of a display case not a brown bag lunch.  I was more of a lookie-lou when it came to bentos.  I thought it was purely professional...there would be no way I could make one.

  After Mills started  preschool and I was making her lunch my interest grew.  When Mills was first going to school I would send her off with a typical brown bag lunch. Sandwich, crackers, fruit, veggie, drink, and a treat.  Pretty typical stuff.  When I picked her up from school, I was getting most of the food back!  What the H?  Why wasn't she eating?  So I changed up what I gave her, different types of sandwiches every day, different snacks for the sides, different drinks.....still she would come home with food.  Then on a sleepless night I was all over the internet looking up lunch ideas.  Then I saw these cute lil bento boxes.  They weren't the ones I was used to seeing, they weren't super detailed and picture perfect pieces of art.  They were fun and had cute little details.  They were colorful and personal.  They looked like something I could do!  If someone asked me to make a Little Mermaid bento box, there would be no way in H I could do that.  I've looked up tutorials for the super crazy ones, and its no joke.  That is an art form.  I do not have the talent to turn rice, meat, veggies, cheese, and everything else into the Little Mermaid.  But I do possess the skill of buying things to help make food look cute. 

 So I went at it, luckily I'm in Japan and I can walk into a number of stores and find bento box supplies.  I'm still no expert, but I think bento boxes are awesome.  They are super cute, reusable {earth conscious}, small to keep the correct portion for a kid, and fun.  Mills loves them and she eats her food.  When I pick her up from school she tells me about her lunch. This is fun for me.  Making little lunches for her that would excite her and make her smile.  Then I started posting pictures.  Just on Facebook and Instagram.  I actually got a lot of interest in my bento boxes.  They weren't even that great.  I was surprised at the response. 

Here are some of my most recent bento boxes::

                                  

  :: Ham and swiss on a Hawaiian bread roll, strawberries,  and pretzels in a Minne Mouse bento box ::

                                    

                     :: Jelly on wheat {nut free}, strawberries, and pretzels in a poodle bento box ::

                                   

:: Buttered noodles, meatballs, carrots, Cheeze-its, cookies, and veggie chips in 2 tier strawberry bento box::

                                   

:: Cut up hot dog, broccoli, mac n cheese, Cheese-its, popcorn, and a banana in a 2 tier vehicle bento box ::

These are not professional by any means.  But my kids enjoy them and I love making them.  All the portions are just right for their little tummies.  I try to keep them colorful and fun.