Octopus Bento...complete w/ seashells ;)

Yes, I know what everyone says about the effects of food dyes and such.  I refuse to live in fear over everything I enjoy.  We do eat relatively health as a whole, but there are certain things we do enjoy.  Life is too short to get rid of everything that makes you smile....so, I will continue to use my food coloring! :)

Okay...now that we have THAT out of the way...THE OCTOPUS BENTO!  This one was fun for me!  As I said before, I enjoy making them because Rich truly appreciates them!  So....without further ado....

Beginning on the top left: Homemade Tie-dyed cupcake complete with a hibiscus pick with whale crackers, below that is a boiled egg shaped as a fish, decorated with my edible markers, and yes, dyed blue!  In the large compartment is where all of the magic happens...LOL...kidding...anyway...I made a quick, homemade mac n' cheese using mini shell pasta, Parmesan and Monterey Jack Cheeses, and a little milk...I cooked the noodles w/ blue water.  On top of the shell ocean are 2 hot dog octopuses with faces frawn on w/ edible markers.  This is decorated w/ a parasol toothpick and a pink flamingo pick. 

The Cupcake

Octopuses...or is it Octopi?  Haha!

STARBUCKS FREEBIE Friday, July 13th

July 13, Noon to 3 p.m. 

 

Enjoy a free Tall (12 fl. oz.) handcrafted Starbucks Refreshers™ beverage at participating stores. No purchase necessary. Limit 1 per person. 

 

Love me some FREEBIES!

Summer Bento Blog Hop Inspiration....I LOVE the Beach!

SO, I was inspired today by a Blog Hop that went on today among the Bento Bloggers.  Since today is the first day of summer, they decided to have a hop around that theme.  I was VERY impressed!  My fave item was a bunch of miniature marshmallows on sticks (pretzels) that the artist had actually roasted over the gas burner on the stove!!  How cool!?

Since I LOVE summer...for obvious reasons (I'm a teacher), I figured I would create one for Rich using the same theme.  He has had a Bento every day this week, but I must say that they haven't revolved around a theme.  I am excited to show mine off to you!

Starting at the top left and going clockwise, we have the ocean which is made of blue vanilla yogurt, a starburst sun, a Werther's Chewy SeaGull, and cookie crumb sand.  Next, there are 3 Beach Balls made out of circle I cut out of bread with the top of a medicine bottle.  Then I used edible markers to color in the triangles.  These are Cookie Butter sammies.  The middle consist of a tiny red chocolate candy that I dug out of a jar of misc sprinkles.  These are accented by an orange Hibiscus Flower pick and a mini umbrella!  Below that you simply have some "Whales" which are Dollar General's brand of Goldfish.  Aldi carries "sharks" as their brand.  Finally, you have a little fishy boiled egg.  Hubby was impressed!  I also had a pink flamingo pick in the whales but it disappeared before the picture!

A close up of the ocean scene and beach balls.

You should try "bentoing" because if I can do it, anyone can!  I had a CRAPPY day and I just focused my energy on this for a few and believe it or not, it helped!  Whatcha think of my creation??  I also need some theme ideas. 

Parents/Babysitters: Dreading Summer Boredom?

While I am definitely not dreading summer myself (I'm a teacher), I can see where going from having your kids come 4om each to having them from sun-up til sun-down can be scary!  lol  When your on a budget, what in world can you do to entertain the munckins?  I ran across from frugal, cute activities where you never have to leave the house...all FREE!!

Summer Activities for Kids
by Beth Hering
Activities to keep your kids occupied this summer

1. Create a safari.

Pretend your house is a jungle (not much imagination needed
for some of us). Hide stuffed or plastic animals in various
rooms. Send your child on an expedition to find the creatures
and bring them to a designated point.

2. Host a car show.

Have your child group together similar toy vehicles in
separate rooms, such as trucks in the living room, cars in the
dining room, and rescue vehicles in the kitchen. Tell the
child to arrange the cars in a design, such as in rows or in a
circle. Give the young showman a baby wipe to polish the
vehicles for the show. When all the vehicles are looking their
best, the child can escort you into each room for viewing.
Award a small piece of ribbon to the best in each category.

3. Do inventory.

Children like to keep track of their items. Write down a list
of categories, such as action figures, trading cards, and
board games. Have the child count the number of items he owns
in each group. Write that number next to the appropriate
category.

4. Set up an obstacle course.

Use blocks, toy kitchen items, or just about anything else to
create an obstacle course for Hot Wheels and other toy
vehicles. The child can drive a vehicle through the course
while you count or hold a stopwatch. Wild driving won't work;
a five-second penalty gets added to the score for each item
knocked down. Record the result. Repeat with vehicles of
different shapes and sizes. Compare the times at the end and
talk about which vehicles were the easiest or hardest to
maneuver and why.

5. Organize a parade.

Invent a holiday, such as "Mommy Appreciation Day" or "Only 30
More Days until School Starts." Hold a parade to celebrate.
Line up toy vehicles from smallest to largest, letting the
line run from room to room if necessary. Make banners for some
cars. Decorate others with bows and ribbons. Action figures
and plastic animals can join as riders. Stuffed animals can
line the route as spectators. Choose a grand marshal and build
a platform of blocks where he can stand.

6. Host Halloween in July.

Create a costume contest among dolls and stuffed animals by
dressing them up in hats, clothing, scrap material, and
decorated paper bags.

7. Set up a bookstore.

Want to sneak in some reading? Set up a "bookstore" where you
are the customer and your child is the seller. Describe the
type of book you would like to buy and have her recommend one.
Read it aloud to see if it is what you want. Pay for the
purchase with pretend money, or return the book to the shelf
and find another title.

8. Play mailman.

Slip in a bit of writing practice, too. Talk about what sorts
of things come in the mail: advertisements, cards, letters,
bills, invitations, etc. Make some of each. Be sure each piece
contains an address, a return address, and a sticker "stamp."
The young postal worker then puts the mail in a bag or in the
back of a toy truck and delivers it to the appropriate
recipient, such as a sibling, puppet, or pet.

9. Design the world's worst picnic.

Spread out a blanket as the site of an imaginary picnic filled
with the worst guests and food in the world. Drive toy cars
one at a time to park on the blanket, announcing each time who
the guest is and what he brought. Maybe it's Cruella De Vil
bringing rotten puppy chow or Captain Hook carrying slug soup.
Continue taking turns driving vehicles to the picnic until the
blanket is covered. Each vehicle must contain a different
driver and dish.

10. Swap with a friend.

If all else fails, arrange a week-long swap of a few books,
puzzles, or board games with another adventure-seeking family.
A toy doesn't have to be new, just "new-to-you" to be
exciting!