Lunch Ideas

I always have the best intentions before a new school year.  I start getting inspired by different things and ideas to make the year easier.  Besides the understanding that my inspiration will last about a month, I am going to ignore this fact and forge ahead.  I have mentioned before that my boys are very picky eaters so packing a good, healthy, and satisfying lunch is extremely challenging.  In hopes of giving some of you some ideas for lunches for the new school year, I thought I would share some ideas and tips I have come across in my searches lately.

(Pick one)

Macaroni & Cheese

Chicken Nuggets

Mini Burgers

Make Your Own Lunchable: Pizza, sandwich, crackers & meat

Kabob: meat, cheese, tomatoes I don't know why but my boys are more interested in food when I put it on a stick

Chicken Drumsticks

Cheese Quesadilla

Waffles

Pancakes

Cereal & Milk

Pizza

Pinwheels

Tacos 

When I make things my kids are very picky about it siting together so sandwiches, tacos, Lunchable make a likes I keep everything separate to be assembled at lunch time. 

(Pick two)

Rainbow fruit (Strawberrries, Peaches/Orange, Pineapple, Grapes/Kiwi, Blueberries, Blackberries)

Apples and Peanut Butter

Fruit snack

Cheese 

Egg

Rice

Humus and pita chips

Carrot Sticks with dip

Salsa & Chips or Guacamole

Chips

Graham crackers

Apple Sauce

Yogurt Raisins

Yogurt 

Some ways to make lunches fun:  

Bento boxes

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Bento-Lunch-Box-Set/dp/B00YFTH8WU/ref=lp_2457292011_1_7?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1469846666&sr=1-7

Plastic character toothpicks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Torune-EYE-FOOD-PICKS-10-Pcs-Japanese-Bento-Lunch-Box-Accessories-Cocktail-/291826660164?hash=item43f2397344:g:78oAAOSwiwVWTb3R

Cookie cutters for sandwiches

***This post is not sponsored or affiliated with any of the posts or links listed in this post.  

Engaged Kids

 I don't know about you but at our house we are struggling with having meaningful family time together and keeping my kids engaged.  My oldest would prefer to either play games or when he does play he is sometimes in his own little world.  My 3 year is always ready to play and is desperate for his older brother to have playtime with him.  Although I am no expert and I am still figuring things out I wanted to share some of my ideas.

1. Board Games- We have just really discovered the fun of board games recently since my 3 year old has been requesting to play.  When we used to play games he didn't follow the rules but now he can play games the right way.  When we play I notice my kids are fully involved and lots of fun interaction is had by everyone.

2. Cooking Together-  I really like to get the kids involved with meal prep when I can this especially helps my overly picky kids to be invested in the meal.

3. Arts and Crafts-  It doesn't have to be anything major just something fun

4. Science Project- My oldest boy is really interested in science.  Especially projects that have an effect ex. Volcano.  This really helps us to come together and not only dare I say learn but have fun as well.

5. Get out of the house- Go for a walk.  A change of scenery does wonders for my boys and their attention span.

My 7 Year Old's Post

I like RPG games and Roblox.  I like my skin in Robloks because it is cool.  I have some Angry Bird headphones and a Sonic shirt.You can build your own world, create your character the way you want, and play other people's courses.  Everything is free and fun.  Robucks cost money and you can get cool extra stuff but you don't need Robucks to play.  Maybe you have a kid who would like to play it.

I am not looking forward to school starting and I like being home.  The only thing I am excited about is being in 2nd grade.  My mom has been taking me out to lots of fun places this summer.  It is way too hot outside so we aren't outside a lot.  I like playing with my friends.


*This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Robloxs.  The opinions expressed in this blog are completely my son's own.

Pulling Up

I can barely believe how quickly things are going.  My little girl is meeting lots of milestones lately and her newest one is pulling up on everything.  How is this happening already?  I am really trying to live in the moment with all of her accomplishments since this is going to be my last baby.  Girls definitely do things different than boys.  In my experience my girl does a lot of things sooner than my 2 boys did.  One thing that my boys did first was getting their first tooth which happened around 7 months.  My girl is almost 9 months and her tooth hasn't appeared yet.  But other than that everything else she has done first...so far.  It is amazing to see how naturally a little one learns and the process it takes to get there.  Humans really are awesome.😉

The Summer Blues

We are in the midst of summer vacation and my kids have gotten more difficult to get out of the house.  My oldest just doesn't want to leave but once we are out he is fine.  I think the heat is really influencing the decision. We in Florida are getting a lot of feels like 105 days which is way too hot for me and the kids.  How we used to survive without AC is beyond me.  The heat is serious.   If I am really honest I would rather stay in for the most part as well. To get all the kids ready and motivated to get out the house is exhausting. But, I know my kids and I (for my sanity) need to get out of the house and have some fun.  It blows my mind that the summer is already half way over.  Also, trying to find something fun to do inside that doesn't cost an arm and a leg is challenging as well.  Hoping to have a good rest of the summer and lots of fun.  What are you doing to interrupt the boredom and have fun?  Suggestions welcome and needed.

Back to School Giveaway

Soon the summer vacation will come to a close and all of our little ones will be heading back to school.  I am in shock how quickly the summer is flying by.  I can't believe I will have a 2nd grader and my 3 year old will be starting preschool.  To get ready for the new school year we will be giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Code.




a Rafflecopter giveaway
***This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Amazon.  The winner will be randomly selected through Rafflecopter at the completion of the contest ending.   Winner has 2 weeks to claim their prize through contacting at peeingwithdooropenmommies@gmail.com

Happy Baby Teethers

My little girl loves to be in control when she is eating.  From grabbing the spoon to holding the food she wants it and wants it now.  So when I came across Happy Baby Teethers, I was excited to give them a try.  They are an organic wafer that quickly dissolves in your child's mouth.  They have Blueberry & Carrot (Purple)

and Banana & Sweet Potato.

 One of the many things I love about these are even if she is super messy they don't present any issues when cleaning her after eating.  Also, they are easy to get out of clothing as well.  My older boys even like them.  They are designed to be used with sitting babies and there are 12 individually wrapped snacks with 2 in a package.  My little girl loves these and the control that she has to feed herself easily.  I don't have to worry when she has these since they dissolve so quickly.  If you are looking for an easy to handle snack for your young child who is sitting this is the perfect solution.  To learn more http://happyfamilybrands.com

***This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Happy Baby.  No compensation was received in exchange for this review and the opinions expressed are completely my own.

Happy 4th

 

The Orlando Eye

When I first heard they were building this I cynically thought,  Why is Orlando trying to be like London?  The hype around the Orlando Eye has been non stop so after getting a Legoland Annual Pass we took advantage of a ride. Gotta experience it at least once.  Upon entering, we were escorted to a picture taking area.  The next stop was a 3D type theater which was standing room only.  After watching the movie which was basically a story within the attraction.  I really like when attractions take the time to make it more immersive.  Then it was our turn.  I went with my 7 year old, 3 year old, and 7 month old.  The entire ride is 27 minutes long and moves very slowly.  My kids did really good over the course of the time frame and fortunately they weren't packed so we only had to share our ride car with another family.  It was amazing how much you were able to see from the top of the ride.  I spotted Disney, Downtown Orlando, and many other landmarks throughout the Orlando area.  The ride was actually the perfect length of time I think any longer my kids would have been stir crazy.  I really enjoyed this entire experience and I would recommend anyone in the area to try this at least once.
***This post was not sponsored or affiliated by The Orlando Eye or Merlin Entertainment.  No compensation was exchanged for this review.  The opinion expressed in this post are completely my own.