Taking a Break From Chips

After the who knows how many gigantic boxes of those snack pack chips I bought at Costco I finally decided it was time to TAKE A BREAK.  About two months ago I took a break from buying those little snack bags of chips.  40 bags gone in a week [okay I'm exaggerating] but my kids are chip hounds!  

Like Dr. Suess would say, chips here, chips there, chips everywhere!  Instead of more chips for the month I splurged on a new kids bento to motivate myself to pack healthier snacks and lunches, chip free.  I've always loved this particular bento with its cute little slots and design.  I am happy to report that I love YUM BOX even more than I thought I would and so did the kids. 

It's just so cute and really fun.  I've been more intentional about packing fresh food and less bagged.  A little bento encouragement to eat a little healthier.  This is a breakfast for lunch.  Actually it was her left over sausage and egg burrito.   Ended up being a great lunch idea.  You can find the grocery list before.  

Grocery List

Tortillas

Eggs 

Sausages

Cheese 

Salsa 

Gogurt 

Baby Bell cheese

Gogurt 

Fruit (grapes, blueberries, strawberry) 

Marshmallows 

Celery & Peanut Butter

Now you should know, I'm not against chips and one day I'll buy some snack bags again, but this chip break and bento has really inspired me to create some fun fresh food combinations.  

Hello 30!

I joke about dreading 30 but I actually welcome it with open arms.  HELLO 30!!  

[starbucks and a birthday dress, silliness in the dressing room is my yearly tradition]

[twenty six,   twenty eight,   twenty nine]

 This last year,  God held up a mirror and I saw myself.  Defined by no one but Him; in that mirror I saw me as He sees me.  My strengths and imperfection.  I could see the person that he is shaping me to be.  It became my reality that he loves me just the way I am no more no less.  The biggest lesson learned was that good or bad, each day is a new day to learn and lean on God. 

That mama in the mirror is redeemed, a daughter of the king of kings, full of life, hope and purpose.  My confidence is found in who He says I am.  I lack nothing because time and time again I've seen God provide physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I know he always will.  I continue to see the power of the word and it's truth.  I know I cannot live on bread alone but in every word that comes from the mouth of God.  

For the first time ever I haven't felt guilty about my occupation.  I haven't felt the need to do more, be more.  I am fully enjoyed every fleeting moment of being at home.  Nothing makes me more proud than to say I am a stay at home wife to the best husband, a stay at home mom to these crazy kids.  

And with that I leave you with the top 7 things I learned and have told myself this year: 

1.  Don't be so defensive and easily angered.  Crazy angry outbursts... not cute. 

2.  Be faithful in the little things. 

3.  Stop trying to change people or make them better.  Love them for who they are.  

4.  Don't live life based on how you feel.  Do what is RIGHT and what you need to do even if you don't feel like it.   

5.  Verbalize expectations or don't have them at all.  

6.  Without focus you'll go in a million different directions accomplishing nothing but a little of everything.  Set goals and aim for them.  STOP starting projects and not finishing them.  

7.  You can't give your family what you don't have.  You can't teach them what you haven't learned.  So never stop learning! 

Here's to another wonderful year full of new lessons!  As Joyce would say, I may not be where I need to be but thank God I'm not where I use to be

Alphabet Letter Sliders

Don't you love the things you find when you're looking for a last minute activity for the littles?

  I found two awesome websites with treasures...  free printables to use for learning at home.  This letter slider for the little men found HERE was perfect for assessing which letters they knew.  I called our a letter and they put it on the bunny's belly.  

 Would also be fun for learning letters, letter sounds, beginning letter sounds, or assessing. 

It was so cute I also let my little lady use it to practice some kid spelling and writing.  

With each letter she wrote a word that started with that letter.  Because I spent a little extra time browsing I also found these word family sliders for the little lady for this summer from HERE.

What is or was your kiddos favorite letter activity?  This mama needs some suggestions!