Man, I love spending the summer with my son. I haven’t always felt this way though. I’m having more fun with him this summer than I’ve ever had before. Age 3.75 is basically the best. I blogged in May about how his day care situation was not right for him. I think part of my enjoyment of him comes from a sense of relief that he’s no longer at that school. He was unhappy and it showed in his behavior there and at home.
Now he’s very happy. I’m getting a lot of love from requests to snuggle (so rare from a kid who is constantly moving) and endearments (he called me “sweetie pirate” — high praise indeed). But it’s not just the two of us this summer though — I’ve put him in half-day day camp. He is loving his first taste of camp. How can I tell? He gets ready around 7 am and camp starts at 9. We used to have to drag him to day care and now he’s so excited about camp that he’s ready early. I believe he is having a different experience because of two things: curriculum and instruction. All of the activities are interactive and hands-on. I really believe that learning at this age is all tactile or at least multi-modal. Also the teachers are young and have a ton of energy. Then there’s “water day” where I take him to camp in his swimsuit. So it’s basically heaven.
Parenting has made me a better teacher/therapist. Now I know what it feels like to get a bad report on a student virtually every single day. And now I get to see how changing the environment, the curriculum, and the instruction turns a child around. I should point out that the comparison isn’t entirely fair: he’s at camp just over two hours compared to eight hours before. But man, I’m loving my boy.
Today I’m giving away a couple cool things in honor of a happy summer for all:
LunchBots Duo Steel Snack Container
What I love about this container is that you can have one dry item and one not-really-dry item in one container — no need to pack two separate containers. So crackers and sliced apples can go together. You know, I’m a devoted Laptop Lunches person, but LunchBots are seriously useful products in a different way.
I have two of these user guides, which you get when you purchase a laptop lunch system. It’s only $2.99 on their website, but it’s chock full of lunch recipes and snack ideas in list form. Additionally there are diagrams of what to put in each box, discussions about making lunch healthier (including comparing ingredient lists). They had a nutritionist go through this book and it shows.
To win them both in the giveaway, leave a comment on this post! I will be choosing one name at random on July 4th. Happy summer!
Love the snack box!
That is awesome! Have a great summer!
I’ve been following your blog since you started, and still love it!
I have been eyeing a laptop lunch kit and lunchbot for a few months.
As a teacher, I’m always looking for ways to keep my lunch healthy!
We are enjoying the summer pace of activity, too! And I am also getting snuggles from my daughter, who is not the snuggly child. I am loving every minute!
Always wanted to try a Lunchbots container, so thanks for the opportunity! We have Laptop Lunch Boxes, but you are right – they are for different uses. We’ve been searching for something smaller/more appropriate for snacks.
I am missing summer in Illinois! I had one summer there (it’s where my husband is from and we moved there for a little over a year) and this is my first summer back in Houston, TX. (where I am from), and it is so horribly HOT! I have an almost 2 year old and am looking into day-camps for the summer also. I am so happy that your son is enjoying camp and thriving in his new surroundings. It makes for a happy boy and thus, a happy Momma!
My son needs new lunch containers and these look great! Enter me please
Camp is great, isn’t it? 🙂
I’m happy to hear your son is doing so well, and that you’re having a great summer! At age 4.5, my son has just recently started having some behavior problems again. Hopefully short lived!
WOAH, the stainless steel container seems AWESOME!
Thanks for such lovely giveaway. Bless the kind heart of yours 🙂
This looks great. Would love to pack my son’s lunch in this next year.
this is a neat concept. thanks for the chance to win
I’d love one of these!
i’m so glad that you’re posting more! you’re website is one of the few websites i check regularly that’s not blocked at my job. 😀 i think your son is adorable and i’m glad that he and you are so much happier.
also, i tried to put this on the previous comment but i dont think there’s a way to edit my last comment. i forgot to ask this, but has your son’s hair color changed?
It’s great to hear that you and Charlie are having a GOOD summer!
LOVE this giveaway and hope I win! 🙂
I have always wanted to try one of the lunch bot things.
I have always wanted to try one of the lunch bot things.
How neat! I’m starting to feel like the crazy tupperware lady with all my snacks and lunch, so this is perfect!
I hope camp continues to go well for him! 🙂
These containers are so neat. I wish they had been available back when I was a kid!
We’re loving summer too! I love the snack box – my make-do containers with silicone muffin liners are about to become unhelpful as her appetite (and her body) grows 😛
How wonderful for you and your son!
I’m loving being home with my girls for the summer, too. The stress of the school year seems to pull us apart, but our slow-paced summer routine offers more time to play, read, and listen to each other and happily we rebuild our stretched connections.
P.S. Thanks for the chance to win lovely lunch accessories!
Greetings from Canada!
I am gearing up for packing school lunches next year, and keep coveting that lunchbots!
When I heard about your blog, you were into February or march of your tasting year.
I went back and read all the entries! Glad you “unveiled” yourself, congrats.
Love the divider style. I can see a great use for rice and curry/meats/veggies!
Neat! The Lunchbot looks like an updated tiffin container. Want that.
We pack lunches all year and for summer camps – I’d love one of these, thanks!
That’s adorable! I work a late night shift during the fall/winter/spring, so I’m determined this year to pack healthy dinners (instead of relying on our overpriced work cafe)
super cute! i love that lunchbox tin.
I have been following your blog since early on and love it. (I miss your weekly postings of lunches you and your son eat though.)
“Sweetie pirate” – I love it! Glad you’re having a fun summer with your little guy.
Hi Mrs. Q! So glad to hear your son is doing better.
I love your blog. I found your blog 2 weeks ago and have gone though ever post. I love how you write.
Thanks for the chance to win. It will be perfect for my son who is starting kindergarten in the fall!
The recipe booklet would be a blessing right now in a recently blended family with 3 little ones and two moms trying to do our best nutritionally for all of us!
Awesome – it’d be great to have one of these!
Hope you and your family are enjoying summer break to the fullest!
Have a great summer!
My 4.5-y.o. daughter just lost a lunch bag,ice pack, and reusable sectioned box at camp! This would be a big help in recovering the tools we need to help her eat well away from home. Packed lunches help her refuse weekly “pizza” (theirs is bleh) and hot dog cookouts in favor of fresher foods. Thanks to you, I know more about what’s going on away from our kitchen.
Would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
Such great tools to pack an awesome lunch!
That snack box is awesome! Thanks!
Just finished reading your book and LOVED it. Thank you for starting what you’ve started and continuing to do what you do. Our country needs people like you!
The LunchBots box looks great! Though made of steel, I guess it’s not meant for the microwave. 😛
What a great idea for a healthy lunch!
i love reading your blog and this giveaway is so fun!
So glad you are enjoying time with your son!
That laptop lunch book looks so cool! I always struggle with what to take for lunches.
I actually bought a laptop lunch set because of your blog. I’m very happy with it.
I’m not sure if Canadians may enter, but this looks like a great lunch container!