Super Halloween

The Super Family has eaten all the choclate from our Trick or Treat bags.

Making Halloween a success for us Dohners.

{Bento Lunches} Zoo School

Today was our monthly Zoo School class at the San Antonio Zoo. Therefore, I had to make an animal themed bento lunch. Isn't it a cutie?

Last night's corn bread muffins were the perfect medium for this clearance finds.

Brie went to school with a lion and Briar a monkey.

I slipped in a chocolate animal coin to round out the theme.  It was another one of those too-cute-to- pass-up World Market finds.  Who can say no to candy money?

 Another successful bento lunch under my belt, my little critters gobbled this one up!

{Bento Lunches} Candy Corn Bento

I love my Dr. Sears bento box for Brieto. Dainty eaters, need dainty compartments. 



I also love the Candy Corn M&M I found at Walgreen's.  What October fun they are.  Don't you think?

 

Candy Corn Bento:

Jelly Rolls

Goldfish Crackers

Creamy Swiss Cheese

Mini Ritz Crackers

Candy Corn M&M's

(Apple Not Shown)

{Bento Lunches} Boo!

Boo! That's what October said to me this morning. Boy did this month creep up on me.

Boo Bento Lunch:
Wonder Sealed Turkey Sandwich
Pretzels
Falafel
Yogurt Covered Raisins
Marshmallow

Happy Month of October!

{Bento Lunches} Happy Birthday, Johnny Appleseed

Were you aware today was Johnny Appleseed's birthday?  Indeed it was.  In our house every birthday is meant to be celebrated.  Johnny's we do bento style.

Johnny Appleseed's HAPPY Birthday Bento Lunch:

• Apple Sauce (With BIRTHDAY sprinkles.)
• Apple Shaped Jelly Sandwiches (Fruit leather for the APPLE stem.)
• Sunflower Seeds (For Johnny AppleSEED.)
• Yogurt Covered Raisins
• Pretzel Sticks

{Bento Lunches} First Day Of Fall

Happy Fall y'all, bento style!

Let the fall bentos begin.

{Bento Lunches} The Texas State Flying Mammal

Did you know there is actually a State Flying Mammal?  Well, in Texas we celebrate The Bat as our Flying Mammal.  Therefore, I bentoed about it.

Bat Bento:

• Sunbutter and Honey Bat Sandwich
• Bat Candy Cupcake Topper
• Mini Saltines
• Turkey Rolls
• Homemade Granola Bar
• Sunflower Kennels
• Michigan Apple
• "Lone Star" Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies

{Bento Lunches} We're Late

Sometimes, when we're running late,

my bento cuteness isn't that great!

{Bento Lunches} Urban Wildlife

I was super excited to make tomorrow's lunch, I had been green with envy for weeks after browsing Another Lunch's color themed bento boxes.  So today I present to you, Briar's Green Urban Wildlife lunch.  Bunnies are Urban Wildlife, right?

Fuel Sandwich Box:

• Sunbutter and Honey Sandwich
• Kiwi
• Green Goldfish
• Granola Bar
• Kraft String Cheese
• Annie's Bunnies and Grass Cupcake Liner

Why Urban Wildlife?  Because that is the name of the girl's Zoo School class tomorrow.  I scrambled this afternoon to figure out exactly what urban wildlife was, thanks to a Wikipedia article I dug through my pantry for a bit of inspiration.  Finally, I settled on giving Brie a critterful lunch; with a Squirrel, Bunny, and a Texas Spider.

Fuel Box:

• Sunbutter and Honey Sandwich
• Turkey Squirrel
• Annie's Bunnies
• Cashews
• Shredded Cheese and Candy Spider
• Apple Slices

{Bento Lunches} C is for Color

This week in school we are putting our focus on the Letter C.  Since C is for Color, naturally I decided to make our lunches all a certain color, naturally.  Although, I must admit the Kraft Crayon String Cheeses I found at HEB were the real inspiration.

Lego Bento Box:

• Wonder Sealed Raspberry Sandwich, with M&M Lego "bumps"
• Chips & Salsa (The clear container comes with a lid to prevent spilling.)
• Raspberries
• Kraft String Cheese 

Dr. Sear's Pineapple Bento Box:

• Sunbutter and Honey Rolls
• Yellow Rainbow Goldfish
• Yellow Shredded Cheese
• Yellow M&M's
• Yogurt Covered Raisins
• Banana Bites
• Raspberries (Because who doesn't love raspberries.)

 If you like these lunches, just wait until tomorrow, you'll be GREEN with envy (hehehehe)!

{Bento Lunches} Mother Hubbard's Cupboards

After returning home from our big beach trip, I found myself desperate to feed my kids something other than hot dogs and chicken tenders.

However, Mother Hubbard's cupboard was rather bare.  Feeling uninspired with my bento selections, I whipped together these stale lunch creations!  Yummo, maybe!?!

Briar's Orange Lunch:

• Carrots
• Hummus and Kraft Cheese Flower
• String Cheese
• Goldfish
• Turkey Stick

Sand Sweetie Brie's,

Blue Bento Bonanza

Fuel Sandwich Box:

 

• Turkey Sticks
• Mini Saltines
• Mini Chip Ahoys (They come in a blue package)
• Cashews
• String Cheese
• Apple Sauce with Blue Sprinkles

{Bento Lunches} Back To School

This week we began another year of home education with my Kindergartner Brie and her little sister Briar (Pre-K).  To ring in the new school year, I'm making a few Back To School bentos. Lunches that are easy as A*B*C, well maybe not C.

Lunch Details:

• Sassy Box
• Two apple shaped Sunbutter and Honey sandwiches (Two slices of bread yields two apples.)
• HEB brand ABC pretzels
• Apple sauce with sprinkles
• Shredded Cheese
• Hasbro ABC gummies (Unfortunately my bag did not have a "C", bummer.)

Bento lunches don't need to be elaborate when one has all these clever food products to work with.  Happy Bentoing!

{Bento Lunches} Tricks Of The Trade

Recently I've had a few questions about how I keep my girl's lunches fresh enough for them to eat. Since it is my goal to convert every willing sucker over to the bento side, I decided a how-to blog was in order. Bawahahaha!

Traditionally I pack my bento boxes the night before camp, class or a play date; basically when there is a time crunch involved, I prepack.  In order to keep it fresh, I snap the lids on some of my containers and stick it in the fridge over night.  The only item I found that doesn't stay crunchy in the fridge are Cheese Puffs, I never prepack those crispy jewels.

The next morning I add my built in freezer pack,

pull out a Pro-Pack ice pack,

slide it into the ice pouch of our Vera Bradley lunch boxes,

add because I'm extra paranoid about bacteria growing on my kids food, I include this Rubbermaid Monkey ice pack for added protection.  Come on, he's too cute to leave in the freezer!

However, if a lunch boxes doesn't have a built in ice pouch, I add a thick plastic Freeze-Pak for longer lasting freshness.

Sometimes when my lunches return home, they're still ice cold.  Just the way I like it!  And that's saying something in South Texas!

{Bento Lunches} Little Nibbler

My girls are not big eaters, in fact they mainly like to nibble.  Which is why when I found this Little Nibbler lunch box in the baby aisle of HEB, I snatched it up in a heart beat.  The fact it was on sale for $2 off, made me extra happy!

Briar was also extra happy she could sample all her favorite foods for lunch today.  "Hoorah! Hummy, Yummy"!  Gotta love a three year old who enjoys hummus, my kinda girl!

{Bento Lunches} If You Take A Mouse To Lunch

I wonder what would happen, If You Take A Mouse To Lunch.

Not sure, but he might get eaten!

 

Hopefully, he also provides inspiration and energy for Brie as she prepares for the role as Mouse in her next Camp Showbiz production, If You Take A Mouse To School!

{Bento Lunches} Tiffin Box

Lookie, lookie who got a new bento box!  It's actually an Indian Tiffin Box, found at Whole Foods Market.  Have you seen anything cuter?

Probably not until you actually open the box,

because inside you'll find a ridiculous Happy Birthday lunch.

Complete with birthday pasta, cupcake sandwich,

and well, a real mini cupcake!
While my Photoshop skills may not be fabulous, this bento box is!

{Bento Lunches} Fruit Leathers

Fruit Leathers are one of my favorite things to use when creating a bento lunch,

but ever wonder what I do with all the extra waste?

I seal them in a Ziploc bag, and add them for an after-school snack box!

Waste not, want not!

It's All In The Box

I am convinced "the box" is what puts the cuteness factor into a bento lunch.  Therefore, it should come as no surprise to you that I am fond, no addicted to lunch boxes.  Even ones sold in the baby aisle of the local grocery store.

Like this Dr. Sears, Little Nibbler's Box.  It's actually perfect for my 5.5 year old nibbler.  My nibbler who can't stand her food to touch!

This Sassy Box also came from the baby aisle.  It's design to make homemade baby food easy to travel with.  Instead I used it to give this homemade lunch, a little star power!

Hey, what can I say, I'm just having fun with motherhood!

{What's For Lunch Wednesday} Bento Fever

I've had bento fever as we gear up for the school year.  Tomorrow we head out to experience one last HOORAY with our friends before the little ones head off to Kindergarten in two weeks. (Sniff, Sniff).  To celebrate our Funtasical day, I created the girls another cutesy lunch!

This Sassy Lunch Box includes:

• Babybell Cheese
• Pretzel Chips
• Sunbutter and Honey Sandwich Rolls (Yes, that is an entire sandwich)
• Carrots and Fruit

Yummo!

Back To School Bento

It's that time of year, Back To School!

Which means it's time for little ones alike to make their backpack and lunchbox selections. There is no reason why this home school family can not do the same.  Just wish my little hipsters didn't have such trendy taste, who am I kidding I love these Vera Bradley lunchboxes just as much as my girls!

They're the perfect fit for a Yummy Bunny bento lunch.

As well as, a Hearty Heart bento lunch!

Who wouldn't want to take those cuties to the park?  I know, I do!