Another Camp Day Bento (Adult)

top: artichoke & lemon frittata with fresh herbs, fresh tomato and basil salsa, chicken apple sausage

bottom: celery and green apple slaw, mushroom saute in whole wheat filo, ginger cookie

Indian Inspired Bento (Adult)

top: turkey kofta (meatballs) on spinach, mini carrot + manchego sandwich with pickles, truffled walnuts
bottom: red dhal kibbeh with apple lemon raita

yum factor: HIGH

Camp Day Bento (Adult)

top: walnut oatmeal burger with sweet pickle on side and ketchup in container
bottom:mini zucchini + sun dried tomato + goat cheese involtini, rutabaga fries with gruyere sauce in container, asparagus with lemon artichoke pesto, truffled walnuts

Snack Day- May

Today is the last day of the Monkeys preschool and he had the honor of bringing in the snack.

My heart is so sad that he is leaving to go to another school next year. My eyes tear up when I think about it. He has done so well at Decatur First and adores his teachers and friends. I hope he does as well next year at the new school.

We also say goodbye to Color Wheel art classes at the end of the week. Man, it is going to be a pity party weekend!

snack: strawberry, cookie, veggie booty, and cheese airplane

Ballet VS. Roller Derby

Today was a culturally enriching day for the entire family! First we attended the Atlanta Ballet's production of "Snow White" at Cobb Galleria. The show was JUST the right length at 45 minutes. The story was well paced and both kids stayed interested in the performance.

After coming home and resting our eyes for a bit, the Monkey, some friends and I headed out to the Atlanta Roller Girls Roller Derby!

It took a little time for the Monkey and his buddies to warm up to the sport, but once they knew the rules and who/what to cheer for, they were all set.

At the end of the day I couldn't help but wonder to myself what this says about me as a mom. Is it normal to take my child to a ballet in the afternoon and then to a roller derby that same night? I don't know, but we did enjoy both venues and will probably attend them again in the future. And oddly enough, after watching a few rounds of the derby I realized that if you compare the basics of ballet to roller derby you CAN find SOME similarities:

Interesting Costumes: Ballet: yes Derby: yes
Complex Movements: Ballet: yes Derby: yes
Girls in Tights: Ballet: yes Derby: yes
Cheering for the Heroine: Ballet: NO Derby: yes

So while the ballet was great, in the end what won the Monkey over to the derby, was the ability to scream " GOOOOOOO Deathskull!" at the top of his lungs.

New Shinzi Katoh Bento Boxes!

I just received my newest shipment of Shinzi Katoh bento boxes from Japan. Visit my on-line store to see some of the great new designs!

P.S. $5.95 flat rate shipping on all orders! (revised)

Sea Turtle bento

This week is "ocean week" at the Monkeys preschool.

top: grapes, colby cheese, edamame, and pretzels

bottom: sunbutter and jam sandwich (with grated carrot), cheese sea turtle with green food coloring, more edamame, and red pepper coral

Short hike at Stone Mountain

We made a trip out to Stone Mountain to ride the train and go on a short safari hike. The Monkey led the way with map in hand and enthusiastically pointed out all of the markers along the path. We encountered a small herd of deer along the way. Despite the toddler excitement and wanting to go "pet them" we were able to stay quiet enough that they crossed the path right in front of us. There is always something special about this type of "meeting" in the forest. It is hard to put into words, almost magical.


It does bring to mind a quote I love by Henry David Thoreau from Walden " I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn."

lunch snack: sunbutter and jam sandwich with strawberry & snap pea chips

Cooking for Monkeys nominated as "Best Local Blog" on Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks website

WOW!!!! I am astounded, thrilled, and honored! I just got this e-mail:

"We're thrilled to tell you that our editorial team has determined you're one of the best local bloggers in the US, and we've nominated you in our new "Best Local Blog" category on Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks website. Voting just started, and will continue through mid-July."

My mind races. I start thinking "Oh my gosh, the last photo I posted had such bad lighting.", "Have I made anything interesting lately to post?", "Am I going to be on Nickelodeon's Kids Awards and be slimed?", "Will television make my butt look big?"

VOTE FOR ME HERE every single day! (I know, shameless self promotion.)

Check out all the categories here: http://www.nicksparentspicks.com/

School Bus bento

left: cheddar, avocado, and apricot jam "bus"
sandwiches with cherry tomatoes
right: strawberries & peach with snow peas wrapped around pineapple and water chestnut next to mini hot dog with pickles and ketchup (in container) and cookie in foil