Monday, August 20, 2012

Planning for the Fam...back to school freebie #3

Today I've got three freebies for you...two to help with food planning and a printable weekly calendar.

Although, I keep a thin calendar in my purse, it helps me to sit down on Sunday and write out our week.  I hang it on the fridge and it's there for all of us to see.  It helps prepare my brain for the week ahead.  I hope it will help you too.

Here's a blank one for you!  Click on any of the photos to get the free printables!

 With three boys and a hungry hubby, I spend a lot of time thinking about food!  It helps keep my budget in check and helps keep the stress down in the afternoons when it's time to cook dinner.    It also helps us remember to vary our breakfast instead of eating a bowl of cereal every day.  We usually have smoothies, oatmeal, cereal and yogurt parfaits on our list.  Sometimes we have muffins or pancetta egg cups too.  On the weekends the hubby likes to make homemade pancakes and homemade biscuits.  He's quite the breakfast chef extraordinaire!  What's on your breakfast list?

Lunch is something I struggle with.  Mr. Jones would like to have a hot dog EVERY SINGLE DAY!  Not me.  We do like the Hebrew National Kosher {all beef, reduced fat} hot dogs on occasion, but not  e v e r y   s i n g l e   d a y !  Our lunch list usually looks like this:  hot dogs, deli turkey and cheese for sandwiches or wraps, PBJ,  grilled cheese and tomato soup, salad.  Sometimes we have chicken salad or mediterranean tuna salad.  I struggle with lunch and would LOVE your ideas!  We always have fresh fruit and veggies, but a lunch "main dish" is a struggle for me. Lunch box lunches are easy because they are happy not having a lunch "main dish," but at home they often want to eat like Daddy.  Please give some ideas in the comments!

I do plan out my dinners and it has helped so much!  I know what days I'll cook and I know I'll have plenty of leftovers for the nights we rush in from karate for a quick dinner.  Thinking about it ahead of time is a HUGE help!  It saves stress, money and crazy last minute grocery runs.

  I love this next one because it helps me see the variety of snack foods we have available instead of reaching for a bag of goldfish every time.  We try to keep yogurt, cheese sticks, fresh veggies {carrots, cucumbers, celery}, whatever fruit is in season + bananas, dried fruit, granola bars (sometimes store bought/sometimes homemade).  What healthy snacks do you like to keep on hand for your family?

My other downfall is the freezer.  I stick stuff in there and totally forget about it!  I've been using the calendar and menu for a while, but the snack/freezer list is new.  I hope it will help me utilize what's in the freezer instead of forgetting about it.


 Enjoy and leave your ideas on what you will put on your lists!  I'd love some new, healthy ideas!  Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you think!  Would you like this in different colors?  Let me know and maybe we'll have some more freebies!


First Day of Kindergarten...back to school freebie #2

My big boy went to kindergarten today!  Enjoy a couple freebies!  I think many of you got this off Facebook last night, but here it is on the blog!

CLICK HERE for a printable like the one pictured where you can fill in the bottom and one that just says "FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN"  Enjoy!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Lunch Box Love...back to school freebie #1

So, the BIG day is almost here.  My BIG boy is going to kindergarten tomorrow.    It's a wonderful milestone and he is ecstatic.  I, on the other hand , am a BIG GIANT BLOB of emotions.....excited for him and his new adventure.....sad that our carefree days of hanging out on our own timeline are over.....scared that he's about to face the world on his own.  But, he's a good kid...a really good kid {yes, I'm totally biased, but he really is.....really :) } and I know he'll do great!  He is counting the minutes and can't wait!  I couldn't be more proud! 

So to celebrate and to make sure I send a little extra love with my little guy everyday, I'm giving you a freebie from my shop...creations by kristi.

CLICK HERE for a set of printable lunch box notes. 
  Some have a fill in the blank starter and some are blank.
All three pages included.


 Simply print and cut out.  Then write a little note to your BIG boy (or girl)! 
What fun to find a little surprise everyday! 

Print as many as you like and please share with your friends!  Don't forget to head to Facebook and like creations by kristi.  And subscribe to my blog for updates on my stationary and invitation creations, recipes, fun times, projects and more.

Leave a comment and let me know what you'd like to see on lunch box notes...jokes, cute sayings, blanks, more fill-in-the-blanks?  Maybe I'll make some more.  :)