Twas the night before the start of school, when all through the house, not a child was stirring …
**reality check: they were but weren’t in bed. I kept hearing the thumps and giggles. What’s that book called again, about going the f to sleep? *sigh*
There was only one thing left to do and we were all ready. I began the first of many school lunches.
Standing there and scowling at the job but mostly at the pieces of bread, I couldn’t help but reminisce. Wait, didn’t I just do this? Did Summer really pass that quickly?
I re-focused and scolded myself. It’s the first day of making lunches, don’t start this already! So, I did what I’ve never done before in an attempt to put a different spin on the school lunches.
I took out the star cookie cutter. Oh yes I did.
I cut Isabelle’s sandwich into a star, yet it was kinda small. So I made 2. What a waste! … Nope, better outlook, remember?!
I didn’t stop there. I got out a ‘You are a superstar’ sticker and slapped it on the lid of the lunch container. While it all looked kinda silly to me, I thought that this might put a smile on her face for her first day of school.
Fast forward to today: I’m sipping coffee while my daughter is at her first day of school, and it all suddenly becomes clear. What have I done?
I ran through the scenarios in my head and came to a few conclusions.
Isabelle will open the lunch and be very confused. ‘Who made my lunch?‘ There’s no way she’ll think that was me, and if so, what was I up to?
What if she’s bugged about it? She’ll be the sandwich-star-girl with the cutesy stickers. Fabulous.
Not to mention the bar I’ve raised – I just punished myself. We all know these shaped sandwiches won’t make a re-appearance any time soon. So now it’ll be like I don’t care for the rest of the year.
Oh, and just wait until June rolls around. This past year proved what a tired parent at the end of the year is like. Lunches? Did I even send them in June?
Great, now I get to hear, “remember when you packed those star sandwiches on the first day of school?” when I’m failing miserably come Spring. Yet we know that she’ll really be thinking, “you know, when you used to love me“. Ugh!
If you are reading this and doubt that will happen, here’s some proof. If you are a regular reader, you’ll know I always go all out and make special birthday cakes for the kids each year. Except this one time, when Isabelle had her party at the bowling alley. Schedule, timing {blah, blah, blah} – I bought her birthday cake.
While that’s not a bad thing, it is for a parent that is known to ALWAYS make their kids a cake. Always. And yes, every year my daughter makes mention of, “that time you bought my cake, Mom, and didn’t make it …“.
So, there it is.
I either rocked back to school or completely bombed. A big ‘ol Fail now and perhaps pay the price for the rest of the year.
Can I just blame pinterest?
.
.
Haylie Langwald says
09/03/2013 at 10:25 amWell, you could always tell her the star sandwiches are a new first day back to school thing, and only will be done on that first day lol. I agree on those cutters being a big waste of food, I’ve gotten rid of mine.
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 6:59 pmVery true, make it a first day tradition or something … just don’t tell the twins, I don’t want to have to make THAT MANY star sandwiches! UGH!
Amanda says
09/03/2013 at 10:31 amHahaha! I use to use dinosaur cutters for our kids’ sandwiches. >.> Sometimes they still ask for them. I love the ones that are bread shaped! They’re awesome. (Our daughter has the same lunch bag and containers yours does)
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 7:03 pmbread shaped cutters? Hahaha, that’s hilarious!!
Lunchbag = costco!!
🙂
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
09/03/2013 at 11:06 amits cute. and lol that she didnt think you made her lunch. my youngest is 20 and I still hear remember in grad 3 when you forgot to bring me my lunch. oh my.
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 7:04 pmI had an afternoon appointment that was running late and all I thought was, ‘and NOW I’m also the parent that down’t pick her kid up from school. lovely’ – made it JUST in time!!! GAH, what a day!
Sandy says
09/03/2013 at 11:13 amThis is hilarious, what a great read for the first day of school. I lean on the no side of fancy lunches, just don’t get why? Let us know what your daughter says when she gets home, I would have loved to see her reaction when she opened up that lunch bag!
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 7:05 pmShe thought I was a little nuts, but also nice. I didn’t press the issue but I hope there’s no expectation for a repeat! Ha!
Belinda says
09/03/2013 at 11:13 amHahahaha, so funny. I hear your frustration Mama, this could be me!
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 7:05 pmCheers Belinda!!
Stephanie says
09/03/2013 at 11:29 amLOL!! Hilarious! Though Im betting you probably made her day! Im with you though, those cutters waste SO much – I try to limit my use of them!
Judy C (Cowan) says
09/03/2013 at 11:39 amWho thought star shaped sandwiches could cause so much stress….lol I am sure she will love them!
Kat E. says
09/03/2013 at 12:54 pmI think you rocked it! I would have loved a star sandwich on my 1sy day back to school!
Jennifer Poulson says
09/03/2013 at 12:55 pmthis is so funny, you are a rockstar Tammi, love your take on things!
🙂
Alissa Apel says
09/03/2013 at 3:19 pmYou rocked it girl! Don’t over think it. It did make me giggle. I make my kids help with making their lunches. See I’m a horrible mom, and don’t even make their lunch. I make them slave away. LOL
Jessica @ Just a Mum? says
09/03/2013 at 4:29 pmLol… for my daughter’s first ever school lunch a couple of years ago, I told her I could make her whatever she’d like. I didn’t expect it to be too hard, since all she eats is cheese sandwiches. I’ll be darned if she didn’t ask for star shaped ravioli “like they made that time on Iron Chef”. So I looked for star shaped ravioli, and when I couldn’t find any, I made it. From scratch. Noodles and all.
That lunch ended up half eaten in the lost and found, and came home moldy the next week. Cheese sandwiches it is! I learned my lesson that day, and don’t worry about anything other than at least trying to include something from each food group! 🙂
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 6:57 pmOh no – Hahahahaha!!!
That is just priceless and JUST our luck right? Oh, that is a great story which you can tell her over and over someday!!
🙂
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says
09/03/2013 at 6:33 pmLOL. Totally blame Pinterest.
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 6:58 pm… and I’m sticking to it!
🙂
Kelly says
09/03/2013 at 6:47 pmthis made me laugh, what a nice way to end a stressful day. Thanks for that!
🙂
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 6:58 pmHa, glad to be of entertainment today. It’s the little things in our days, right?1
🙂
Kristen @ My 3 Little Ktitens says
09/03/2013 at 6:53 pmAwesome Tammi! Star sandwiches….beyond mommy sweet!!! You totally rocked it!
Tammi says
09/03/2013 at 6:58 pmHa, thanks!! My one attempt … and that’s it!!
🙂
Dede says
09/03/2013 at 8:39 pmVery cool!! The sticker is the best touch of all. That first lunch is all-important. 🙂
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:40 pm🙂
Nikki says
09/03/2013 at 10:36 pmI made pancakes with marshmallows in them for the first day last year…guess what he requested for breakfast this year…ugh! I only made them in the first place because I hadn’t grocery shopped and that was the best I could come up with!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:41 pmHahahaha, never thought of that!! I hardly do special breakfasts because, well, I need to be alert to do something like that and mornings is not where it’s at!
🙂
Cinny says
09/04/2013 at 12:11 amThat’s adorable and totally sweet you did that for back to school!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:41 pmThanks Cinny! At least for this one day, right?!
Heather, Mmm... is for Mommy says
09/04/2013 at 7:18 amHehe, I blame Pinterest for everything!
I see all the beautiful lunches on there, but know I’d be getting a full lunch box back every afternoon. School lunches are going to be a challenge in this house :s
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:42 pmShaking fists at Pinterest!!!
Lisa says
09/04/2013 at 8:00 amYou’ll have to let us know what she thought!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:43 pmShe laughed but also thought I was a little nuts/crazy. I don’t think she’ll expect it anytime soon!
lol
elizabeth ward says
09/04/2013 at 8:16 amI think it was cute idea.. I would do the same thing for my niece whose now in SK. Just heart sandwichs though, lol.
Oh yeah.. Always blame pinterest! Darn that website and those glitter bomb mason jars I’ll never make but love pinning because.. hello PRETTY! oooooooooo. lmao.
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:43 pmSo pretty right? So much that you forget the work involved to get there! lol
Judy C (Cowan) says
09/04/2013 at 8:21 amSo what was the verdict – was it a hit or a fail??
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:44 pmWell, she was neutral … she thought I was nuts but also weird. I think the excitement/stress of the day made it a little trivial. I think she would have thought about it more had it been an ordinary day.
Karin Dollery says
09/04/2013 at 8:49 amWe always over analyze though don’t we lol….You gave me a wonderful chuckle this morning Tammi, Thank You 🙂
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 6:45 pm🙂
Doris Calvert says
09/04/2013 at 8:54 amThis is why I think your great! Shapes, really? A lot of kids are lucky just to get a sandwich! I seen Jodi;s lunches at Mommy Moment and oh how I would have loved that when I was a kid, until grade 5 or 6 or we would have been teased, but Jodi has the knack I don’t, a sandwich, fruit, pudding or a yogurt and I think your a lucky kid, now you have twins plus one…..forget about it, there probably isn’t enough time in a day:) You are priceless Tammi!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 7:56 pmAwe, thanks Doris. I give huge kudos to parents that can do things like that all the time. Just not for me
carla bonesteel says
09/04/2013 at 10:05 amHAHAHA!! I love this post! Very funny. But, honestly, you don’t have anything to worry about. There is no such thing as a PERFECT parent, and even if you thought you were perfect, your kids would prove you wrong…LOL. You did great!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 7:57 pmAMEN!!
Kayla Potega says
09/04/2013 at 10:07 amI’m sure you rocked the going back to school thing dear friend! The first day of school is one of the biggies, so I think a little special treat on a special day like that is appreciated 🙂 If nothing else, you can always explain your actions were taken because a special first day needed a special lunch ^.^
On a side note, I JUST recently saw that there was a ‘children’s’ storybook entitled Go the F– to Sleep and I nearly died. LOL
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 7:58 pmHahahah, yep – that’s the book. Things you think yet cannot say! 🙂
And I agree, it was a special first day. It’s the little things that count right?
Anne Taylor says
09/04/2013 at 11:20 amLol! This was SO not a fail!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 7:58 pm🙂 Thank you!
Clifford says
09/04/2013 at 11:48 amReading your post I think you rocked with the star shaped sandwiches. We had the same cutters but threw them out..lol.
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 7:59 pmI hardly ever use mine, even at Christmas. Nice to get a bit of use from them!
Deborah / Mom2Michael says
09/04/2013 at 12:00 pmBlame Pinterest. She’s the devil.
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 7:59 pmOh yes, for sure!
mongupp (@mongupp) says
09/04/2013 at 3:19 pmI love the star sandwich! Thanks for the idea, Tammi!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 8:00 pm🙂
Tasha says
09/04/2013 at 8:12 pmAwee if she didn’t like the star shaped sandwiches, I will take them! LOL It will be something for her to remember, I think you rocked it! 🙂
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 8:00 pmThanks Tasha!!
Lana Thompson says
09/04/2013 at 8:20 pmOh Tammi – I think that you will have made the first day special, and not raised the bar for the rest of the year. Now if you send some star (or dinosaur or heart) sandwiches tomorrow, well, you may have started something.
🙂
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 8:01 pmSo far so good!!!
and thank you!
🙂
Kevin Linkie says
09/05/2013 at 3:19 amLmao so funny. These look great and a great way to get the kids involved.
Kevin Linkie
Jessica says
09/05/2013 at 7:37 amLove the ‘star’ sandwiches. What fun! very creative, and yes it’s back to school time!
Tammi says
09/05/2013 at 8:01 pm🙂
Deb Dorrington says
09/05/2013 at 4:26 pmI think you did a terrific job, hey you rocked and I’m sure your daughter just loved them. I look at some of the ideas on Pinterest and I have to question how much time do these people have on their hands to come up with some of these crazy ideas for sandwiches.
Tammy Powers says
09/05/2013 at 8:44 pmI think the star sandwiches were pretty cute! I think my kids would just love them, so guess what?! I am going to do that when I make their next school lunch:)
MLV says
09/05/2013 at 9:05 pmi think it’s cute! you make lunch fun! don’t be hard on yourself. i’m sure she enjoyed it 🙂
Victoria Ess says
09/05/2013 at 11:33 pmHaha I did NOT expect that to be your ‘fail’ when I started reading! Star-themed lunch = total win!
Olivia @ This West Coast Mommy says
09/06/2013 at 7:53 pmThere are children all over the world without a single star-shaped sandwich, let alone two. She’s lucky to have you!
caryn s says
09/07/2013 at 8:14 amI think you were very thoughtful and hopefully your daughter liked it!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
09/07/2013 at 4:46 pmare lunches now back to normal? or are they still 5 star
Suzie M says
09/07/2013 at 8:01 pmThanks for the great chuckle & she will love you no matter what you make or don’t make
Suzanne G says
09/08/2013 at 10:32 amGreat article although not sure if I took away the message to make a special effort for your children or if the message is if you are too awesome a mom it will come back to bite you. 🙂
Tammy Dalley says
09/08/2013 at 4:14 pmI love it! My boys love their sandwiches cut into shapes!!!
ContestPatti says
09/08/2013 at 8:20 pmMade me laugh 🙂 & feel better about my own adventures at lunch!
BarbFS says
11/27/2013 at 7:45 amWow, you young Moms put so much extra stress on yourselves! If your child has a lunch to eat, they are one step ahead of many children (many who can’t even attend a school!). Your children are blessed! 🙂
Angie Andrews says
12/03/2013 at 1:12 pmI think you did a great job, I on the other hand just slapped the bread together and cut in half lol.