Several readers have asked what I put in Haley’s lunch box. It never occurred to me to share that information – it’s so top secret and all! Ha. No. It’s just not that exciting. As much as I’d love to do these type of creative things, I value my sleep more.
But I do try to make it different and fun. Keep in mind, Haley is my star eater. Trevor’s lunches next year will probably consist of waffle pieces, maple syrup, and strawberries.
Cream cheese, alfalfa sprouts, and ham slices wrapped up in a tortilla. With a side of baby carrots. I also do a BLT version with sprouts, bacon, and mayo. I kind of want that for myself right now.
Sunflower butter and jelly sandwich served with grapes. The heart shape is purely optional, obviously, but I have lots of cookie cutters not getting much use, so why not make it fun?
Simple Sesame Noodles with sugar snap peas. I make the noodles the night before, so it’s easy-peasy in the morning. (Recipe here.)
Salami and cut up mozzarella pieces with cherry tomatoes. This is probably her favorite. I’m tellin’ ya – give a 6YO toothpicks and I swear, she/he will eat anything.
Each lunch comes fully equipped with a juice box, some type of cracker pack, fruit pack, and something chocolaty. Kit-Kats are most requested.
And what would a lunch be without a love note?…I wish my lunches came with a love note. I make it short and simple, always incorporating her sight words so she can read them.
That’s it so far. I figure rotating these will hold me for a few more weeks at which point I’m sure I will get the eye roll accompanied by, “this? Again?!” 6YO’s have it so rough.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Great ideas, Amy! All of my girls are good eaters, and they just decided they are done with paper bags. Packing lunch in a box is much easier for me, as I can separate everything in containers:)
Thanks for reminding me that wraps can be cut in more than two pieces (duh!)!
I can pack any fruit I want except for bananas, as they make everything else smell like them (that’s what the kids say, not me:)
Sesame noodles are definitely going to be included!
Thanks Lana! The other negative thing about bags is that they take a beating in the backpack and all the food get smashed. The box is so much more durable – sandwiches and fruit hold their shape. Also, buy a thermos and try sending your girls to school with a smoothie, they’ll love it!
I’m catching up on postings after returning from vacation. These lunches are so cute and love the notes you include (of course!). I’m sure Haley loves the little snack along with the main course. GREAT
Wow, I love the lunches you put together for your daughter!! They are so much more interesting than a pb&j every day. Go mom!
Thanks Veronica! I’m feeling the love over here today!
Our kids have no idea how good they’ve got it! I have added day-old pizza to the mix and Morgan loves it. I have mixed up the notes and stopped for a few days to make her appreciate it. Terrible, but true.
No, not terrible! I did the same thing. I was including them every day and they started to have as much meaning as her napkin. Then I stopped and she was so bummed. So it’s random now, and she loves it again – like a little surprise and you don’t know when it’s coming.
What? What? She is going to get mugged for her lunch! Amy you are just amazing!!!!
LOL! Thanks, Tomi. I think a few of her friends get lunch money to buy from the cafeteria, which to a 6YO is a BIG deal. Haley would give up the homemade lunches in a heartbeat if I would let her buy the hot hoagies.
Seriously? Seriously? This is what you make Haley for lunch? When are you going to start making my lunches? :oD
HEE. I know. It is amazing the effort that goes into her lunches, and the lack of it that goes into mine.
Yow! For a moment I thought you were going to write about NOT doing Bento Boxes. We’re to the point where Milo doesn’t want the reusuable plastic sandwich box with the Crayola decoration. Nor am I allowed to cut sandwiches on the diagonal anymore. My Bento flights of fancy are limited to making orange poppies out of Clementine oranges and Hershey kisses, and I probably can’t send those anymore either. I’m going to show him your lunches, though! They look delicious.
Oh, I hear ya. Today the toothpicks are exciting. Next week, they’ll be old news. I find it remarkable that my dogs have been eating the exact same thing, every single day, for the last 13 years, without complaint.
“Not so exciting”???? You’re talking crazy talk. These lunches look extremely exciting! And toss a love note in there, and it’s an over-the-top experience. You’re a veeeery nice mama. =)
Thanks, Jenna!! I suppose, but not compared to all the incredibly adorable, and overly ambitious *cough* lunches I’ve seen on Pinterest. Those put mine to shame!
I teach reading with your mom so I especially LOVE that you use those sight words in the notes! BTW, you can make my lunch any time!
I actually laughed as I was writing that, because my Mom knows I’m always using everything as a teaching moment. I’m relentless!
Maybe boys are different….I put a cute note in my 6 yr olds lunch box, and his friends tore it up! As for the toothpick I am afraid they would play ‘swords’ with them and poke an eye out!!
Thank you for sharing, I love cute the ideas!!
HA Felicia! Boys to tend to be…ahem…less gentle. I have one of those, too. Although, he’s quite a softy and is jealous his older sister gets a note and he doesn’t. I’ve had to explain a million times that he eats lunch at home still. Maybe I should slip him one underneath his napkin anyway. Hm.
You’re light years ahead of me on the lunch box front. And I can’t believe I forgot how my mom used to put notes in my lunch?!! Thanks for the happy reminder to do that for my own girls. <3
I don’t remember ever getting a note from my mom. I remember whole wheat sandwiches and oranges – both of which I wanted to trade away!
The most important thing we put in the kids lunch boxes, is a note!! They can’t wait to see what I wrote them.
There’s no doubt that’s Haley’s favorite part, too. Well…that and the Kit-Kat.
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