Kids Konserve

My favorite lunch and snack containers will soon be available in a nesting set!

*Get 15% off your order through Sept. 30th with code "tutus"*

Personalized Water Bottles

Lima Bean Kids has added personalized aluminum water bottles to their line. Perfect for camp, the pool, you name it!

Beehive Chick Baby Spoon

I never thought of myself as someone who would want a special spoon for a baby until I saw this.

Sustain Store

My little firefighter would love this.

{Get 20% off your order with discount code "sustain" through Friday, May 15 - the discount will be confirmed in an email after the order is processed}

I like using non-breakable stainless steel bowls and cups for snack times, but finding a good set hasn't always been easy. This children's set by Sanctus Mundo would work well.

Lunchtime + Pancakes

My son only has one week of preschool left and I am so ready to take a break from packing lunches. We stumbled upon this easy lunch idea last week, and combining two meals has made both of us happy. If we have pancakes for breakfast I intentionally make extra, cut two in half, then place them in a container along with some maple syrup to dip them in. Putting the syrup in with the pancakes helps secure it and the extra lid on top prevents leaks. (I use small stainless steel containers I picked up at Target for the syrup, but I think these or any tupperware-type combo would work too.)

Below is my absolute favorite whole wheat waffle/pancake recipe, which I usually halve. If you like the convenience of a mix you can combine all the dry ingredients in a bag and just add the wet stuff later.

Combine:
2 C. whole wheat flour
1/4 C. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking Soda
2 1/2 tsp baking Powder

add:
1/4 C melted butter or oil (I use butter)
3 Egg whites or 2 eggs (I use one whole egg with the half recipe and 2 whole eggs with the whole recipe. I figure my kids still need all the good stuff. You can separate the eggs and beat and fold in the whites at the end for extra good texture. It is good either way.)
Add buttermilk till the consistency is right. (With our waffle iron, these cook better if the batter is thicker.)

Stir completely without over stirring. Consistency should be not thick and not runny. The half recipe usually makes just under four cups of batter for me.

--Small frozen blueberries are a great addition. I have also started adding flax seed meal and wheat germ with the flour, probably about 1/4 cup or so for a half batch. The waffles are still light and delicious, but I would suggest making them plain first to get a feel for the batter. I also occasionally sub honey for the sugar and applesauce for the oil and they still work.

Amenity Gifts

Amenity's Baby's First Meal gift set is just beautiful.
I don't think mashed bananas have ever looked so delicious.

Family Talk

We've been using Family Talk at dinnertime to help make our conservations a little more interesting and we've been pleased with the results. The questions provided get us conversing and involved with each other, and everyone is stretching their brains as they think about their response.

-One unexpected perk is that long after the kids have lost interest in the food and the conversation Mom and Dad find themselves enjoying stimulating discussions that were started by a few words on one little card!

Personalized Lunchboxes

These personalized lunchboxes by Sweet Mady's Paper are so fun.

{Don't you love the ribbons on the handles?}

Kids Konserve

{Mini Stainless Steel Containers}

These little stainless steel containers from Kids Konserve have made making lunches easier for me this year. The mini containers are perfect for putting small items in, like nuts, dried fruit, small crackers, a handful of grapes, a vegetable dip or a treat. Knowing I can grab a tiny container without having to worry about wasting baggies keeps me inclined provide little amounts of things in portion sizes that the kids will actually eat.

{Round Food Containers}

The round food containers are convenient for snacking on the go or for lunches. I'll use them for items like crackers and cheese, pastas, lunch-friendly leftovers, a large handful of edamame, carrots, or big pieces of fruit. Half a sandwich fits in easily too.

{Small or large Stainless Steel Tiffin}

We've had fun experimenting with Bento-type lunch packing, so I've got my eyes on these tiffins for next year.

Shop Kids Konserve products here.

Yummy!

We made these donuts for Christmas and boy, were they YUMMY!! They would be a great way to welcome in New Year. We rolled ours in powdered sugar and filled them with pudding. My girls loved to cut out the circles, watch them rise, and then cover them in sugar.

Build a Bear Cake Pan...

The perfect cake to make with your kids. Sold exclusively at Williams-Sonoma.

Marshmallow Pilgrim Hats

So cute and so very simple!

Tavo High Chair

This high chair reminds me of one you would see in a restaurant, but with the added bonus of a cushiony seat.  And without caked on food all over it.  I really like the sleek design.

Loving their Letters

Lately, my daughter is really getting into learning her letters and numbers. So, I know she would get a thrill out of opening her lunch box to find jello in the shape of her favorite letters. These silicone letter trays are more than just jello shapes, you can make ice cubes, shortbread or even brownies in them!

Is this our Sippy Cup?

How many times have you gone to a playdate and forgotten your child's sippy cup? Or even worse, had the same one as your friend's child and get them mixed up? I've tried writing on them with magic marker, putting tape on them, and all the rest. Nothing seemed to work. BumbyName Orbit Labels has taken labeling a step further with these non-adhesive, personalized labels. I think they are ingenious!

More Bento Fun

I just ordered two of these Bento Boxes for only $10.50 each! I'm excited to try out Bento-style lunches this year - I like to think they'll help me add a little more fun and variety to the meals I am packing.

While looking for Bento lunch ideas I found three great preschooler/child Bento photostreams on flickr: Biggie's (from Lunch in a Box), Jennifer L's, and Wendy C.'s. Each stream has a variety of great lunch ideas whether you eat yours in a box, bag, or on a plate.

Happy Eating!

Make Your Own Cake Stand...

I thought this would be a fun project to do with your kids, they can personalize their own and use it for nearly everything!

as seen on armelle blog

I went to the local thrift store and bought some sundae cups and glass plates.. less than $1 each.I used clear caulk (it looks like a white paste then dries clear) I used way too much here... about half this amount is good and not too thick.Wipe any excess caulk off with a wet q-tip.
Then let it dry for a few days (It took mine a good 2 days to dry)
Then once it dries.. you're all done!!

ISAK

Cute, contemporary dishes from ISAK, a UK-based company. I love all the designs, and I think they would be great for kids....if they were plastic, not porcelain. Still, they are "beautiful, happy things" and with the right amount of supervision, could be perfect for a kids party.

via hostess with the mostess

Rainbow Jello

WOW! This jello just looks SO pretty...

Enjoy your weekend!

{via Do Better}

Mutsy Grow Up Booster Seat

My "baby" is ready to sit at the table with the rest of us - she is very frustrated sitting in her high chair... so it is time for a booster and I think this one will be her new seat. Looks comfy and easy to clean - two very important things. I would love to hear any suggestions of boosters that you love - I am on a hunt and need some help...thanks!

Tutus and Turtles deal : To save 10% off on any Mutsy order please use the code tat10offmutsy at BareBabies - Thanks, Mutsy!!!