Anderson's Easter Bento Lunch

So, I've been playing around some this year with Anderson's lunches on his school days. I've discovered the world of Bento boxes, which is a Japanese way to pack a lunch. On one website, they sum Bento up by saying "it's a meal nicely arranged and packed in a box." Usually Japanese Bento boxes are filled with sushi, rice, nori, fruit, veggies, etc. But, there are becoming more and more resources on the Internet to inspire cute and creative ways to send anything in a bento box. (See this blog that I follow.) Most moms will tell you that half the battle of getting a toddler to eat something can be won by making it look fun, intriguing, and cute. I've really enjoyed this bento box from Pottery Barn Kids. Anderson LOVES it. I've been getting more and more creative lately so I thought I would post some pics of Anderson's Easter lunch from Tuesday. (I'm disappointed in myself that I haven't taken any pics of past bentos that I've created)

Anyway- the best part is that Anderson's teachers make sure and write on his daily note how much he liked what I made. It's SO nice to know he's enjoying his lunch and hopefully feels some love from Mommy while eating.

Anderson's Easter Bento
Turkey & cheese chick sandwich (carrot beak and poppy seed eyes), bunny food (carrots and edamame), bunny graham crackers with 3 jellybean eggs, strawberries, and flavored water.

And....I should add a disclaimer... There's no way I do this for every lunch, etc. I don't want anyone thinking I have so much free time that I spend it all creating cute food. :)

Birthday Videos of the Boys

Everett's Birthday Song at his party:





Anderson's Birthday Song at his party:

Everett's 1st Birthday Party

This past weekend we had Everett's 1st birthday party. One of his best friends, Matthew, also turned 1 in April so we planned a joint party for the boys. The theme was Noah's Ark, so we had lots of fun with animals, rainbows, and each other! Here are some of the pictures from the fun.

Poor, Everett. He was (as we figured out later in the day) not feeling well for most of his own party. Apparently he was coming down with a stomach virus. So, by the time we sat him down for his cupcake, he wasn't really even eating anything and just wanted to sleep. He was such a trooper, though. I'm actually glad that we get to have a "do-over" on his actual birthday (the 26th). I have a feeling that once he's back to 100% that he will LOVE some cake!

Everett having fun on the slide!

The rainbow fruit tray I made

Daddy, Mommy & Everett

Everett's not so sure about this....

Nope...No, Thanks.

The only cupcake pic of Everett not crying.

Mommy, Everett & PaPaw

Mommy, Everett & Nana B

Boots, Grammy & Everett

Co-Hostesses, Party Boys & Big Brothers

Most of the guests

Everett enjoying his new big boy chair like Anderson's.

Present time! I LOVE my new blankie from Aunt Reagan!

Everett exhausted after a long day!

Anderson enjoying a Popsicle with Ryland

Everett & The Park

Yesterday we went to the park in the afternoon since it was so lovely outside. Everett is my little outdoorsman, even more so than Anderson. They both love being outside, but Everett will violently protest when you take him back indoors and he really "gets into" being outside. Dirt and all. Maybe it's the "second-time mom" in me, but I let him crawl all over the grass, dirt, woodchips. Yes, some ventured into his mouth and he was a mess by the end of it, but he was SO happy. He's a tough boy already (mostly thanks to Anderson) so I figure there are many, many years to come of Everett beig covered in dirt.

He crawled like crazy through the grass. He just kept going and going and going. Almost like he was a little puppy who had been let off of his leash.

He does NOT like wearing hats. SO the opposite of Anderson. He pulled and pulled until he got the snap to pop and release from under his chin.

He likes the swing, but will let you know when he's ready to get out and be on the move.

Anderson wouldn't dream of pickig up a handful of woodchips- even now at 3 years old. :)

Lately!

Anderson had Western Day at his school. He was very excited to dress up and proceeded to wear his boots (which were borrowed from a sweet friend) ALL DAY LONG. He mastered "YeHaw" complete with a tip of the hat very quickly!

Anderson LOVES having his friend Nathan over to play. The afternoons when he comes for a visit are literally the highlight of Anderson's week. They play really well together and it's so much fun to watch them.

Everett is still into everything, literally. On this particular morning, it was the left-opened pantry door. Those boxes filled with rolls of funny paper were just too much to resist!

Spring rain means umbrella time!

What 3 year old doesn't love getting to use an umbrella and raincoat?

Anderson's 3rd Birthday Party

Since Anderson is obsessed with all things Disney Cars, he requested a Lightening McQueen party this year. We held his party at Pump It Up, which is a large inflatable, jump-house facility. In the weeks leading up to his party, Anderson had so much fun helping me prepare everything. He loved putting the names on his friends' goody-bags, he loved talking about the food we were having, and picking out his cake was so exciting. Here are some pictures from the fun!

A family trip down the giant slide!

Daddy, Anderson & Everett coming down the slide

Aunt Reagan & Everett

Anderson & his buddy Brody Anderson's Cupcake Cake

Some of the Cars Snacks

Tire Donuts

Cake Time! Presents at home Anderson & Everett's birthday gift from Mommy & Daddy

Anderson's 3rd Birthday Interview

Q: What is your name?
A: Anderson

Q: How do you spell your name?
A: A-D-E-R-S-O-N

Q: What animal do you like?
A: zebra, giraffe

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: blue

Q: Where do you like to go?
A: library, toy store

Q: What store do you like to go to?
A: grocery

Q: What do you like to play?
A: fire trucks, scooter, toys, garbage trucks

Q: What do you like to do outside?
A: bark like Riley, throw the football

Q: What do you like to do with daddy?
A: fix the racecar

Q: Where does Daddy go during the day and what does he do?
A: work - play

Q: What do you like to do with Mommy?
A: play Mater Fishing Game, play in the ball pit

Q: What does Mommy do all day?
A: Put on clothes

Q: Who are your best friends?
A: Brody, Nathan, Phoebe, Mommy, Daddy, Carter, Kate

Q: What do you like to do with your friends?
A: play with garbage trucks

Q: What is your favorite Bible story?
A: Jesus

Q: What do you do when you are three years old?
A: eat cake

Q: Where do you live?
A: Carrollton

Q: What food do you most like to eat?
A: bananas, dinner, strawberries, candy

Q: What do you like to drink?
A: lemonade, orange juice, milk

Q: Where do you go to school?
A: With my lunchbox

Q: Who are your teachers?
A: Miss Ann, Miss Leslie, Miss Yolanda

Q: What is your favorite song?
A: Life is a Highway, Mickey’s Counting in the Clubhouse

Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Lightening McQueen Rhyme Time

Q: Who is in your family?
A: Carter, Kate, Grammy, Boots, Daddy, Mommy, Riley, Everett, Nana B, Grandpa Billy, Ryland, PaPaw, Grandma Ellen

Q: What do you want to do when you get bigger?
A: Be 3, eat my cake, be a Lightening McQueen Driver