Back to School Lunch Ideas

It’s almost that time of the year: Back to School! Lots of exciting changes; the first day of school, meeting new teachers, making new friends, kids heading off to kindergarten for the first time, and even reuniting with friends from the previous year.

It also means that it’s time to start packing lunches for school. Initially packing school lunch is not a tedious task, but rather a welcome change from a summer of picnics and snacks.  However, once parent’s creative ideas of what to pack for lunch wears off, the rut hits and PB&Js windup in every sack. 

One thing I do to ensure the rut doesn’t hit our lunch sacks it to plan in advance. I find it is easier to be creative when I plan and match lunch ideas specific to what fruits and veggies are in season. For example, I love using squash during the fall! One of my favorite things to make is butternut squash soup, which is delicious warm or cold.

I also use Pinterest to gather ideas. One of my favorite Web sites is Bento For My Girls. This mom shares her over 400 lunch ideas. Her lunch ideas look enticing and she focuses on keeping the lunch healthy. Check out some of her lunch inspired ideas http://pinterest.com/pin/375206212676324739/.

Sandwiches are a great option, but when they are packed everyday, your kids are bound to be board. Check out our Back to School Pinterest board for some sandwich alternatives for your child’s lunch including meatloaf cupcakes!

http://pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/back-to-school/

Happy lunch packing!

To learn more about one of Seattle’s best preschools and drop-off childcare programs visit www.blossomingbudspreschool.com and www.blossomingbudscottage.com.

Best Places for Picnics in Seattle

It is getting hot out there! And that means outdoor dining aka PICNICS! I love picnicking with my family and little one. The preparation for getting ready for the picnic is the best part with my kiddo. Check out our Pinterest board on best kid friendly recipes http://pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/recipe-ideas-for-kids/.

Also because it is so hot outside it is very important to keep food safe. I love these insulated bags from Dabbawalla: http://pinterest.com/pin/375206212676216169/

I also love to adventure out of our neighborhood and make a “trip” of our picnic day.

Here is a list of some favorite places to picnic with little ones:

Washington Park Arboretum

Discovery Park

Volunteer Park

Saint Edward State Park

Woodland Park Zoo

Seward Park

To learn more about one of Seattle’s best preschools and drop-off childcare programs visit www.blossomingbudspreschool.com and www.blossomingbudscottage.com.

Make the 4th of July Celebration Safe

One of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July! It brings out the kid in me. The fireworks, smell of the barbecue, food, family, and friends! I am always reminded when celebrating the Deceleration of Independence for our great country, to make sure the kids are safe because there are always avoidable incidences that I hear about every year. Here are 5 tips to make sure your 4th of July celebration is a safe one!

1) Leave the fireworks to the professionals! It is best to leave lighting of the fireworks for the professionals, as every year there are reports of severe burns and even death that could have been avoided.

2) If you must light off a few fireworks make sure to have no bare skin showing, light of fireworks away from buildings, never point fireworks at another person, and never try to relight a firework.

3) Have a first aid kit on hand, with bandaids, aloe vera and sunscreen.

4) Make sure food that is easily exposed to food born viruses, such as potato salad, pastas, and meats are kept at the appropriate temperatures.

5) Drink lots of water! Make sure the family is well hydrated throughout the day to avoid heatstroke!

Hope your 4th of July is a safe a pleasant one!

To learn more about one of Seattle's best preschools visit www.blossomingbudspreschool.com or one of Seattle's best drop-off childcare programs visit www.blossomingbudscottage.com.

The Best Graduation Celebration Ideas

Another school year is almost over. Not only should you give yourself a pat on the back for being an amazing parent, but it's important to celebrate your child's scholar achievements for the year. At Seattle's Blossoming Bud's Preschool, we think a celebration and graduation parties are the way to keep your kiddos proud of their accomplishments and excited for next year.

Here are some ideas for celebrating educational accomplishments for any age.

It doesn't matter if the graduate is 5 or 20, Dr. Seuss Oh The Places You'll Go book has a message for all ages.  This was the theme of our graduation party last year.  It was a huge hit!  If your child is just graduating preschool buy this book and start a tradition with this idea.

Chalkboard graduation party theme. Chalkboard is a timeless theme for any age graduate.

And don't forget to capture this graduation milestone with a photo. We think starting a tradition to celebrate the end of every school year with your child holding chalkboard or sign, like below, is a great idea.

Check out other graduation ideas our Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/graduation-celebration. To learn more about one of Seattle’s best preschool sand drop-off childcare programs visit www.blossomingbudspreschool.com and www.blossomingbudscottage.com.

Best Seattle Summer Camps Tips

Summer is almost here, which means it is time to start planning for summer camp! And choosing the right summer camp for your kids can be a task. As the owner of Seattle's Blossoming Bud's Preschool and Cottage I understand the importance of choosing the right summer camp for your kids. Here are 5 tips for ensuring your little one has summer to remember.

1) Age appropriate. If the camp is age-integrated, which most of them are, make sure there are activities that are appropriate for all age ranges.

2) Activity, activity, activity. Here in Seattle summer is a sacred time and outdoor activity is a must! For example, if your child is into horses find a camp that focuses on outdoor activities involving horses and other animals.

3) Do your homework. Make sure to research not only the camp, but also the employees and facilities.

4) Element of learning. Even though it is summer camp it is important your child is stimulated to encourage continued education. The good camps incorporate fun with learning, and aren't just independent play all day long.  Summer is all about enjoying the sunshine and doing a lot of hands-on activities.

5) Always have on hand.  Make sure to always apply sunscreen in the morning before you send kids off to camp, and if they will be there all day make sure to put a tube in their backpack also.  Consider putting a sun hat and a water bottle in your kiddos backpack, too.

Here are a list of some of Seattle's best summer camps:

Blossoming Buds Preschool: http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/  (under programs)
Woodland Park Zoo Camps: http://www.zoo.org/page.aspx?pid=1763#.UWHQr5PFW8w
Seattle Aquarium: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/camps-family-programs

To learn more about one of Seattle’s best preschools and drop-off childcare programs visit www.blossomingbudspreschool.com and www.blossomingbudscottage.com.

Non-Toxic Products

I recently saw a report on Dateline NBC how producer Andrea Canning discovered shocking levels of bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and triclosan in her urine. This news report inspired me to revisit some of our household products and share some of my favorite non-toxic products. 

The Honest Company: is a full eco-friendly household cleaning and personal product line. From its non-toxic cleaning supplies to the organic baby wipes, this line has both kids and parents covered. 

Safe food containers are a must in my house! We are always on the go and safe waterbottles and sippy cups are a stapel. That's why I love Klean Kanteen.

Crafts are a must for my little one, and her favorite craft tool - crayons! My favorite eco-friendly crayons are by Eco-Kids. These eco-crayons are handmade with natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, carrots, curcumin, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach, soy, bee and palm wax. I feel comfortable knowing if those crayons slip into my little one's mouth, not only are they non-toxic they are yummy too!

Check out other non-toxic products and eco-ideas on our Pinterest board: The Best Non-Toxic Products http://pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/best-non-toxic-products. To learn more about one of Seattle’s best preschool sand drop-off childcare programs visit www.blossomingbudspreschool.com and www.blossomingbudscottage.com.

Blossoming Buds' Seattle Childcare Earth Day Ideas

Reduce, reuse, recycle sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But the truth is, it takes thought and preparation to execute the 3 R’s. It is no secret that caring about our planet is a priority for most families. So in celebration of Earth Day I am sharing how we at Blossoming Buds' Seattle Schools keep green top of mind each month and share some of my favorite green craft ideas. 

Make sure your kids understand what type of products get recycled, reused, composted and thrown away.  At our Seattle preschool we have 3 garbage cans that are labeled: #1, #2 and #3 and we discuss with the children what garbage goes in each can.  It's amazing how much pride the children take in making sure we are recycling properly at school (and they tell us how they help mom and dad at home too)!

To get the kids involved chose a green topic to discuss each month, such as composting, and pair the topic with an activity.  For example, teach children why composting helps grow more plants with this clever craft. 

Or why reusing can make a difference on our planet with these two craft ideas. 

What parent doesn’t drink coffee or swing by Starbucks every now and again? Save those plastic frappuccino cups and lids to ensure a no spill paint cup for your kiddos latest Picasso projects.

Spring is in the air, which means outdoor picnics and barbecuing. My little one loves crafts and I love when she makes crafts I can proudly display. This is why these used aluminum cans turned into a beautiful wind chime, from Lean 2 Grow, is one of my favorite green craft ideas. 

For more ideas on reducing, reusing and recycling check out our Pinterest board: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Crafts http://pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/reduce-reuse-recycle-crafts. To learn more about one of Seattle’s best preschools and drop-off childcare programs visit www.blossomingbudspreschool.com and www.blossomingbudscottage.com.