Our Backpack Station & A New Favorite App

Today I'm sharing our "backpack station" for this year. It has slowly evolved over the last 5 years starting with the chalkboard calendar (which I highly recommend) and then adding backpack hooks and this year the addition of the wall file holders (bought these at TJ Maxx). 

I HIGHLY recommend having a calendar for your kids. My goal for them is to be better organized than I am! Even in 3rd and 4th grade it is their job to know to wear tennis shoes for PE day or bring in supplies for an upcoming party etc. There are no surprise dentist visits or dinner dates. It's all there for them to see at all times (the things that they need to see).

The backpack hooks keep the backpacks off the ground (where the dogs like to carry them around) and the addition of the file holders this year gives them a place to drop off their binders.

Weekly homework gets stored in the file folder until Friday when they need to go back, papers I want to save stay in there until I have the time to file them, and signatures needed go back into the binders and into their backpacks for the next day. So far this system has been working great for us!

This last week I went through piles and piles and piles of schoolwork papers. (photo from instagram)

I photographed all the ones I wanted to save and loaded them into my new favorite app Artkive

 It stores all your kids' artwork by name (grade and date if you want) and you can then have them printed in a book (or just keep them on your iPad/iPhone). I have made a book before and love this system. This app just makes it that much easier!

Do you have a system that has been working great for you? Share it for all of us in the comments or on Facebook!

Odwalla and Lunch Time Ideas

I was delighted to be asked by BlogHer to share this episode of Weelicious Lunch Crunch sponsored by Odwalla Fruit Smoothies For Kids with my readers. Enjoy!

I love fun lunch ideas and this one is easy and one my boys like (don't forget to include the chopsticks if your school allows them, I send the "kid" ones and haven't had a problem). If I am posting a sponsored post you can be sure that I agree with, use, or will use the products! My boys LOVE Odwalla products.

Our Lunch Time Solutions

I am pretty happy with our lunch box setup this year. We definitely had some trial and error last year with new products! The boys like to take sandwiches, soups, snacky/bento type lunches, and leftovers. So we need containers along with a lunch box. Also it was 115F their first day of school so to say we need to keep the food cold is an understatement!

I found these Klip it to Go containers and we really like them! The fact that they are only $4.99 doesn't hurt either.

I like that they are made from BPA free Virgin Polypropylene (in New Zealand) and they are fairly easy for the boys to open. The "sandwich" portion has it's own lid and the bottom section is divided. It's big enough to put chips in the sandwich section if they are having nachos which is a problem we've had with smaller containers.

I also bought them some reusable snack bags (I can't find the ones I got but these are close)

and we still love our Thermoses we've had for a couple of years now.

My favorite thing I found for this year is their lunchboxes. I hate how a lot of the lunchboxes make your sandwiches or containers sideways when you stand them up. We've tried some that lay flat but they were pretty bulky and still didn't lay flat when they crammed them in their backpacks. I just happen to come across these at Target - haven't found them anywhere else. You get 3 in a pack for $9.99 (looks like they are on sale online right now for $8.99). There are no zippers, or buttons, and no seams for applesauce or yogurt to get crammed in to! You fold it down as much as you need and the buckle makes the handle (also straps on to backpacks) I REALLY like these!

I wasn't sure how in depth you all would want me to get but I wanted to share my new favorites! Let me know what else you'd like to see from me! Thank you all that chimed in on Facebook yesterday on hearing my lunch finds!

First Day Printables

Many kids are starting here in AZ today (some already started) and mine start on Wednesday. I can't believe summer flew by us so fast! We still have adventures to blog about! Anyway I thought I'd make up some printables for you as I made them for myself for those first day photos. I've seen a few that were a little more involved or cutesy but I thought if there is any way my boys are going to let me do this in the future they need to be a little more "masculine" and plain. 

Let me know if I'm missing something. I know the phrases are a little different everywhere. If someone from another country would like some just send me an email and give me a list of grade levels!

Download here:

PRESCHOOL / KINDERGARTEN / 1ST / 2ND / 3RD / 4TH / 5TH / JUNIOR HIGH / 6TH / 7TH / 8TH / 9TH / HIGH SCHOOL / 

Files for personal use only please.

I have back to school Lunch Jokes too! My boys always love these. Not sure if I'll work on more or not but here are the ones I did last year

FUN SCHOOL LUNCH INSPIRATION

Today is the boys' first day of school. They are SO excited to start. I'm a little sad, I do miss them when they're gone all day. I dread the thought of packing lunches until next May as well. It's definitely my least favorite part of the school year.

Jill from Meet the Dubiens does a feature called Fun Food Friday (which is a great idea that I may steal for my boys' lunches a fun lunch on Friday instead of every day of the week)

Click to read more ...

FREE PRINTABLE SCHOOL LUNCH NOTES / JOKES!

As promised on Facebook here is a fun free download for you! Printable lunchbox notes/jokes! There is a version with the jokes and a blank version to write your own love notes (I got in trouble for drawing an eyeball a heart and the letter "u" once so write at your own risk).

Click to read more ...

BACKPACKS

Back to school shopping seems to be in full swing and my boys aren't too happy with the thought yet but they are kind of getting into the new clothes. My oldest wants to use his backpack from last year but my youngest needs a new one so he's weighing his options. I'd definitely like something that will last but he has to like it too!

Click to read more ...