Monday, August 24, 2009

What's in it for you?

My daughter started 1st grade this year. Which means I've been packing my fair share of
Ok, really she's only been in school about 4 days and she bought lunch one of those days, but still after only 3 days of packing a lunch I feel like I've hit a block. I've packed her the same thing every single day. And each day she comes home with her sandwich untouched (most everything else is gone though).

I guess I should count my blessings that I dont have 500 kids that I'm packing a school lunch for. That could get ridiculous some!


Last time I packed my own school lunches was years ago when I was in college. I got to take fun things though like Italian pasta, leftover dinners, microwaveable soups. And in highschool I either went out or bought a Dr. Pepper and a bag of chips (isn't that what all sensible high school kids do?) Crazy kids.


Do you have any good ideas for me? Things you do for your kids? Things you remember you took to school? Help me.

16 comments:

Rachel Sue said...

Yogurt. If she likes it. Eden loves it and it's been a lifesaver. Other than that, I'm in about the same place that you are. . .

Brie said...

Growing up I liked peanut butter and marshmallow cream sandwiches. They aren't very healthy, but boy are they good.

Olivia Carter said...

Yes, yougurt, jello single, pudding singles, fruit rollups (I kind of wanted to hand make some- we should do that sometime!), fish crackers, cheese-its, raisins, chips w/ little cup of salsa, veggies w/ lil cup of ranch, berries, granola bar, chips, brownie

SAMMIE IDEAS: (what the Carter's call them) PBJ, meat, tuna, egg salad, chicken salad, meat/cheese/crackers (like a lunchable), banana & PB, quesadilla wrapped in foil keeps nicely...

Oh by some ideas you didn't mean list off everything possible. Sorry! Just trying to help! HA!

Jenni Elyse said...

I always loved Lunchables, but I was older since they weren't around when I was a kid. The only thing is they're kind of expensive. I also love eating school lunches. I had school lunch for most of my school experience because I wanted to eat it. I'm not sure if that's an option or if K even would like that, but it's something to think about, maybe.

annie valentine said...

It's called automated checking account withdrawal from the school cafeteria.

Oh, I write for a paper in WA and a paper in Utah (Standard Examiner).

Barbaloot said...

Pack lunchables! I always wanted those as a kid.

Mandi and Adam said...

I'm in the same boat you are but with a husband instead of a kid. He says he dreads lunch 'cause he's had PB&J so many days in a row!
Some things I liked as a kid though: Lunchables (on special occasions), string cheese, fruit snacks, my dad would always buy hostess snacks, Capri Suns or Squeez-its (do they even still have those?).
It's a lot easier to come up with things to go with the sandwich or whatever than to come up with the "main dish" for sack lunches.
Good luck. I'll be interested to see other ideas too!

Kristie said...

I would do the lunchable idea. Just some meat, cheese, and crackers. I grew up having a sandwich every day, and what I wouldn't give for some change! Try some of those crackers with cheese or crackers with peanut butter in between them.

Jill Hunt said...

I hate making lunches too but of course it has to be done. I don't worry too much about Ethan because I can give him a variety of things and he will eat it. But Tyler on the other hand is SO picky. He doesn't even like jelly on his PB&J sandwich. He is going to be my tough one but he did say he wanted lunchables and he likes turkey meet so sometimes I just through Turkey meat in there and then bread or crackers(he doesn't like turkey sandwiches though). And of course Tyler ALWAYS wants to eat when there is pizza. I like all the other suggestions that everyone gave though.

Rachel@MyPinkFlipFlops said...

I'm no good at this. I only wanted a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich all through elementary school.

I know when I pack Sneaks' lunch in college (I took over the responsibility from his mother, yes, she was making his lunches when I met him :D) I made him a PB&J and a fruit cup, chips and a capri sun. Hee hee. string cheese is good.
Oh, I used to get pop tarts in my lunch, they don't have to be toasted.

Kayla said...

We packed lunches all last year. And often got in a lunch rut.

This year I simplified my life by having my daughter get the school lunches. I love it! The only way I'm going back to home lunches is if she's old and willing enough to pack her own!

Erin said...

I found Oreos, Capri Suns, and Cheetos on sale. I give Ethan three Oreos and he's over the moon with happiness. I give him a small baggie of Cheetos, along with a sandwich and an apple or grapes, and he likes it WAY better than the school lunch.

The Royal Family said...

I dont have ideas because I dont have school aged kids and my hubs likes to pack his own. But I already try to sneak in a snack or two.

Greg and Kimberly ... said...

We actually just had an Enrichment class about this last night. A few suggestions we got: With K, make a chart of things she likes and PROMISES to eat if you pack it. Different columns: sandwiches, snacks, fruit, etc. then mix and match. You can remind her that she promised to eat it, so tell her not to put it down if she won't.
Also, buy the big cookie cutters at the dollar store and use that to shape her sandwiches. I do that all the time, and you wouldn't believe how much faster a 'heart' is eaten than simple squares. They come in tons of different shapes, so you could make it like a game, "what will mommy surprise K with today?" kind of thing.
If she has an insulated lunch box, freezing the drink helps keep other things cold, FYI. Gogurts are awesome.
Also, my kids love it if I put in a little Hershey's kiss or something, they think it's such a treat!

Rachel+Co said...

we just started packing our lunch this year. my kids have liked mini bagels with strawberry cream cheese instead of sandwiches.

Victoria said...

Ugh. I have to start making my first grader lunches. Fortunately, he will eat peanut butter on homemade whole wheat bread every day without complaint. But it has to be homemade.