1. Whew, well THAT week went by fast. I definitely did not intend to stay away from here for so long, but I wound up devoting a lot of my time to some fun new stuff that’s coming up on the horizon, and I’m excited to share some more about that next week!
2. We got everything that I ordered for the updated office/boys’ space delivered throughout this week.
Looks like we’ve got some work ahead of us. Eeeeek, I can’t wait!!
3. Last night marked our official first Open House as parents. Oh my goodness, I just loved getting to see all of the stuff he’s been working on.
I still remember Open House as a young teacher and was always SO nervous for that evening! But this was a great sneak peek into Lucas’s classroom and I’m just so excited for him. Better yet, I’m actually going to be volunteering in his room once a week this year, which I am just thrilled about.
4. Speaking of school…! We’re definitely still adjusting to the new routine, and we have our good days along with our tough days. But Lucas really does seem to love school, and he gets so excited to get on the bus every morning.
His bus driver just informed me the other day that he’s really “come out of his shell,” and I can only imagine what that entails!
5. Meanwhile, little brother is just dying to be able to get on the bus with his big brother every time he sees it. It’s so cute.
Before you know it, buddy. Before you know…
6. As we enter into October, which is also well known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to share a very special campaign page for a good friend of ours, Katelyn. Katelyn is the daughter of our boys’ babysitter, and was diagnosed with breast cancer last year (and she’s not even 30). Thankfully, she’s now in remission, and she has signed up to walk and fundraise again for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. If you feel so inclined to check out her page, you can do so HERE!
7. I’m sure I’ll be taking this back in a matter of months, or possibly even weeks…but can I just say, I actually kind of enjoy packing up Lucas’s lunch for school everyday??
Seriously, I can’t say enough about these Bentgo Kids Lunch Boxes. They’re so great.
He really doesn’t have a large rotation of favorites, and I do try to at least play around occasionally with the different snacks that are included, but I need some new ideas. Any resources you love (besides Pinterest, haha!?)
8. Have you guys heard of Butcher Box?? If not, you absolutely have to check it out.
If I’m certain about anything, it’s the fact that Jay and I will always be carnivores. We love meat, and there’s definitely no chance we’re ever going to be giving it up. BUT, we are trying to pay more attention to the quality of the meats we’re purchasing.
Butcher Box is a subscription/delivery service, offering various monthly plans including 20 different cuts of beef, chicken, and pork. Their beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, their chicken is free-range organic, and their pork is heritage breed. On top of that, all of their animals are humanely raised and free of antibiotics and hormones.
When we’ve received a box, I typically leave out what I know we’ll eat that week, and then we just store the rest in the freezer until we’re ready for it.
The meat is SO good, and you really can taste the quality. Right now, they’re offering 2 lbs of FREE GROUND BEEF in EVERY BOX for the life of your membership. Totally amazing! (Psst, plus, if you’re a member of Ebates, you can also get an extra $5 cash back on your order!)
9. Okay, parents of those in diapers. I need your tips, advice…something. Alex wakes up every single morning SOAKED, and the amount he is able to pee through his diaper during the night is simply uncanny. I’ve tried limiting what he drinks in the evenings, but that doesn’t seem to help much. He’s currently wearing Pampers Swaddlers (size 6) so it’s not like I can go up a size…we did used to use the overnights, and I suppose I could try them again, but I don’t remember seeing a huge difference with them. So if you have a brand, a trick, or anything, please…help a gal out!
Alright my friends, that’s all for today! I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead, whatever you may be doing <3
Honest overnights!
I’ve never tried Honest brand diapers, thanks for the tip, Taryn!
Target (up & up) overnights worked well for both of our kiddos. And then overnight pull-ups (target brand again) when they were bigger.
Good to know! Thanks, Erin!
Agreed on the Up and Ups!
My daughter is the same way most nights (and she is in the same size) so I am interested to read some suggestions as well! (not that I don’t love to have to wash her sheets several days/week!) haha 😊
There have been some great tips, Lisa! Hope something works for you, too!! :)
Ironically, I was in my own lunch slump and this post from a blog I’ve been reading forever that is intended for kids actually helped me :) her children have sensory issues so they are gluten-free/dairy-free but all of the lunches are foods that could also easily contain gluten or dairy (just use regular tortillas, regular yogurt, etc.): https://www.onelovelylife.com/healthy-school-lunch-ideas/ hope it helps!!
Those were SUCH cute ideas!! Now to see if Lucas would eat half of them, haha ;) Thanks, Em!!
Pampers baby dry all the way – the swaddlers aren’t water proof (the outer coating) or something! We had issues with swaddlers but not baby dry.
Thanks for the tip, Amanda!!
Huggies overnights and these diaper booster pads worked for my son!
https://www.amazon.com/Sposie-Booster-Diaper-Doubler-Count/dp/B0083973FK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538133339&sr=8-2-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sposie+diaper+booster+pads&psc=1
Diaper booster pads…who knew?!? Thanks Erin!
I was going to say the same thing! (different Erin, ha ha!!) We tried sizing up and overnight diapers but it wasn’t until we added that pad that we didn’t have to change his sheets every night.
I second the booster pads!! I change my little guys diaper right before bed, and I use an overnight diaper (size 6) with booster pads. I order Walmart brand overnight diapers, Parents Choice, as I’ve found they prevent leakage better than others. I also found Parents Choice has size 7 in regular diapers, and I just ordered those to try at night too. Good luck!
Size 7??? No wayyyyy…checking those out today!!
I was shocked too! Here’s the link in case you can’t find them…
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Parent-s-Choice-Diapers-Stage-7-41-lbs-80-Count/167170034
Yes to those pads! They really help!
Was also going to suggest the booster pads. Or leftover giant pads from your hospital maternity stay work in a pinch too 😉 Just sayin’!
Hahaha, who knew those giant things would come in handy again?! ;)
This is what I was going to recommend too! They really help! We use them with pampers baby dry diapers.
I love this post about bento lunches for Preschoolers – it’s been a great inspiration! https://www.themasseyspot.com/2018/08/25-healthy-lunch-box-ideas-for-kids.html/
Love it!! Thanks for sharing, Denise!
Looking forward to seeing how the office turns out! I’ve been unpacking mine and need to finish my “office corner” in the near future. Do you remember where you got that rug? We’re in need of a couple.
On the overnights, I forget how old Alex is, but we used Good Nights from about 2.5 – 3ish. For about half that time he really tested their capacity – which was great!
Prior to that my son was in a size 5 huggies overnights. He was wearing pull ups during the day for part of the time and the pull ups overnight did nothing.
Yes, Target!!! We bought it a couple of years ago but it’s still available :)
Try pull-ups or underjams… we used them with our little guy when he was going through that stage. He was only in size 4 diapers, and they still fit him. But using them, no leaks! He was about 2-2.5, right before he potty trained.
Good to know! Thanks, Emily!
YouTube for Bento Box ideas: The Family Fudge or there are others too. Momfessionals blog is also a great bento box ideas for kids and adults.
Ooooo, thanks Amanda! I’ll check those out!
I definitely see a difference with the Overnjghts. We use Huggies, and they just hold more pee. And that’s coming from a little one who sleeps 12-13 hours straight at night. They hold more than even the 12-hour diapers.
I would also try different brands. People swear by Pampers, but we had blow outs every single day. It’s just different for all babies.
Good to know! Alex also easily sleeps 12-13 hours straight at night, I’ll have to look into these, thanks!
There is something called “diaper doublers” …theyre basically a large pad that goes inside the diaper to help absorb the extra liquid. Works like a charm
I will third the suggestion for Sposie booster pads! The overnight version of whatever diaper brand you prefer will probably help, but Sposie pads make the biggest difference for us. You can get a pack at Target (or Prime!). It feels a little strange putting what is basically a post partum pad in my kid’s diaper, but I was getting desperate :)
I am TOTALLY desperate. This morning the ENTIRE front of the poor guy’s shirt was drenched…like, to the point where I probably could have rung it out! :)
We’ve tried every overnight option out there and found Dollar General Overnights to work the best for us. These overnights have a thick area that runs the length of the the front and back and stretchy leg area. We live in the South and have a Dollar General on every corner so they are easy to find.
The bento box looks so cute! I struggle with using way too may containers for my son’s daycare. i use separate containers for the fruit to put in the fridge. Do you find it works well for you to combine some cold and warm food and just put it all in the fridge??
My daughter was waking up soaked every morning, too. She wears a size 6 pampers baby dry at night. I started using Sposie Booster Pads (available on amazon) with her diaper and it’s helped so much! They’re like a diaper liner that hold up to an additional 8 oz (I think) of liquid. Make sure you follow the instructions before using them. I’ve only had her wake up slightly damp (not soaked) a couple of times since using them.
I’m retroactively jealous of those lunches you’re packing for Lucas. It’s making me think of what was in my brown bag in grade school — a lot of Little Debbie snacks and Capri Sun pouches! It’s what everyone at the lunch table brought to school back then.
We SWEAR by Honest Overnights. We have tried several other brands (Huggies, Pampers) and nothing compares. Honest ALL. THE. WAY. :) Plus, Target is always running some sort of special so they are a bit cheaper than the Honest bundles online.
Both my kids went through this at around that age. I tried the pads but what worked best for me was just doubling up! Two diapers…maybe with an extra pad too. Also I noticed mine peed a ton early in the morning so when I would get them up half hour earlier they would be dry.
We now use pull up overnights, even though our son is only 2, but he’s big and pees a lot! They normally keep him dry!
Do you find the lunchbox hard to clean?
Awesome, thanks for the tip! And no, not at all!! I LOVE the lunchbox!!
Pampers cruisers has size 7 diapers. I use these sometimes at night and a size 6 during the day. :-)
I used overnight diapers with a pull up over it. It seemed to help keep all the pee in.
Was that a nut butter sandwich??!!! Oh man, jelly if it is-pun intended ;)
As a teacher (and preschool mom) nut butters are not allowed AT ALL, it really stinks. Wondering how your kindergarten deals with that? Is there a nut butter table?
Yes, they do have a special table in the cafeteria, but there are no nut allergies in his class which is nice (especially since he’d probably eat peanut butter everyday if he could!).
They make pampers cruisers in a size 7! That’s what my son wears and he has never had any issues with waking up wet! I’ve tried pull ups and those only seem to leak at night. So I’ve always gone back to the pampers cruisers!:)