ok, ok, another one...

so here is my masterpiece from monday morning. It took me about 30 minutes to make 3 of these, so I definitely won't go this elaborate every day. AND I copied it 100% from my fave blog. Every single detail. It's not that great of a picture, because I took it with my phone, not for my blog, just for my own personal enjoyment. Then last night I decided to go ahead and post it on my bloggy. It's a pb&j cut in a butterfly shape and decorated with fruit leather, jack cheese cut in butterfly shapes, butterfly crackers (had to search for those little buggers) cucumbers and carrots cut into flower shapes, and raspberries. Phoebe came home yesterday saying that was the best home lunch EVER. It was a little too much food for my little ones, but Phoebe ate every bite. And yes, Netty, the boxes have lids. In my last ones, the peas hopped around a little, but everything else stayed intact. Bento makes me happy. :)

welcome to my new obsession...

This--

Owen's and Lucy's bento lunches, currently sitting in our refrigerator just waiting for lunch time. clockwise from top left we have peas in a cute silicone cupcake cup, fudge stripe cookies (bought a box of them for Phoebe's lunches) grapes, apple slices, cheese slices (might be cut a little too big for their little tummies--we'll see) and turkey rolls below the peas.

I am SO obsessed with bento. I think of almost nothing else. The elementary school's cafeteria is currently under construction, and their menu choices are very limited and not the kinds of things Phoebe would EVER choose, so I agreed to send home lunches for the rest of the year. I have not been a home lunch mom, simply because I'm too lazy. I know home lunches are generally more healthy, (I've been watching a bit of Jamie Oliver) but I can barely get up in the morning to make breakfast let alone lunch, too...well, that has all changed. I was perusing the internet looking for healthy, affordable, easy and interesting lunches to make and came across bento! I am IN LOVE...

Bento is traditionally a japanese box lunch, with all kinds of cute food and mini stuff, but in our american culture it has kind of evolved into a waste-free lunch. I have only been experimenting with my little ones at home, and still sending Phoebe with a lunch bag full of wrappers and packages. I bought these adorable boxes at target (where else?) and I'm not sure that is really enough food for my school-age kids. MAYBE for Phoebe, but quite certain not for Will. No worries, I ordered some (not nearly as cute) on-line that are bigger and should arrive sometime this week--along with some other fun stuff that will make my bentos even cuter. :) yay! And let me just say, Lucy and Odie enjoy eating their lunches as much as I enjoy making them...more to come, I'm sure...