Back to School: Bento Love

I love the bento concept, at least the Americanized-version. (Mine are in no way authentic). The small sizes and variety fits my daughter's eating habits. And I find that it gives me just enough room for silly fun, which is essential now that I find myself packing school lunches daily.

As we close out September, here are some of our school creations...

"Reach for the Stars"

"Madam Butterfly"

Monkey Love

One Fish, Two Fish

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Back to School: Preschool Backpack

With all the back to school planning, big sister was getting all the attention.  But the start of another school year also means little brother being dragged to gymnastics, dance, and other activities.  And every little boy needs a special place for his toys and treasures, and maybe even a little snack... particularly when he's going to be surrounded by tutus.

When I saw this car fabric, I knew I needed to make something for my car-loving boy. I loved the bright primary colors.

I used this pattern from etsy.  The velcro is great for his little hands.

The result... a happy boy.  I love his smile.  It's hard to believe he isn't even three yet.  He just looks so grown-up to me.

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K is for Kindergarten

Today was a milestone for our family... our oldest started Kindergarten.  From now on our family life will be greatly governed by the school calendar.  I took the day off work and am still processing how I feel.  I can't believe she is so grown-up already.

We made our lunch and snack... a K for Kindergarten, alphabet cookies, and even a grape butterfly for a snack.  My little girl was very excited when she saw the sneak peek.

All smiles as Mommy keeps snapping pictures.  (It was short lived.  She insisted on no pictures at the bus stop until the bus arrived.)

And when that big yellow bus arrives, I got one little wave and she was off.  My little baby on that great big bus.

Where did the last five years go?

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Back to School - Princess Perfect

With Kindergarten rapidly approaching, I seem to have this incessant need for new school clothes.  Maybe it  is a coping mechanism.  Maybe it is from my own memories of the excitement of back-to-school shopping.  Regardless, the need is there.

Anyways... welcome the Snow White dress.  It's a simple cotton dress, perfect for school and play.  However, with red ribbon on the sleeves and red apple buttons, it's also reminiscent of a certain princess, and perfect for my princess.

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Back to School - The Art Apron

Only one more week till my oldest starts Kindergarten.  I can't believe we have reached that point.  And so in honor of that milestone (and to distract me from crying), I'll be sharing some of the chaos around here was we prepare for a new school year.

First up... an Art Apron for all those messy art projects.

This is based on the design from an adorable Toddler Apron posted on Sew4Home.  I had to enlarge it a little for a tall five year old, mostly by adding width to the body and length to the straps..  Given how busy the print is (which I love), I left it pretty simple... no embellishments.  Now to finish packing the rest of her supplies in her backpack.  Is it too early to start to cry?

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Back to School

In my part of the world, the day after Labor Day signals one thing... the start of school.  And even though my children are still too young, the day still holds a certain reverence for me.  Our friends have been sending their children to the first day of kindergarten.  Middle and high schoolers once again form an obstacle course for me in the morning and I leave for work (my driveway somehow ended up as a bus stop).  And all of the teachers in the family start another year.

I have been blessed to be the daughter of one of the most amazing teachers around.  She's the teacher you dream of your child having... the kind that former students return to visit year after year, even when they are in grad school.  I have attended so many functions with my mother of the years as a show of support for her students (present and former).  There have been ballet recitals, soccer games, local community fairs, and even high school plays (my mother teaches elementary).

Since high school, I have often tried to leave something special for my mother to kick off her school year.  There have been notes hidden in her desk, sweet treats, and even a package delivered from a co-conspirator when I was in college.  It hasn't been every year.  But, I do like when I can do something special to honor such an amazing woman.  This year, I decided her classroom needed cheer... sunflowers and daisies in a pencil vase and a milk carton of candy, courtesy of Paper Crane's adorable milk carton printable.

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