Category: Back To School

Simple, Nutritious Lunchbox Recipes

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KID-FRIENDLY, NUTRITIOUS LUNCHBOX RECIPES PACKED WITH FRUITS AND VEGGIES

A big thank you to Juicy Juice for sponsoring these lunchbox recipes. All opinions are my own.

One of the biggest challenges of the back to school season is packing lunches. We pack our own lunches most days to keep lunchtime affordable and nutritious – while making sure their bellies full for the afternoon of learning ahead! Today I’m sharing two of our favorite lunchbox recipes that can be prepped ahead of time: Savory Veggie and Cheese Muffins and Fruit Leather.

 

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DIY Writing Skills Workbook

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custom Writing Skills Workbook for less than $1

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PlayWithPlaymobil #CollectiveBias

Create a custom writing skills workbook in minutes

When I was a young kid, I was blown away one day when my dad brought home a little toy doctor kit, little candies (aka pills – it was the 80’s, okay?) and flashcards for me.

Not an earth shattering story, right?

Except, my parents NEVER just brought home gifts for no reason, so it’s a memory that firmly planted itself in my mind.

Only recently, (many, many years later)I learned the rest of the story.DIY Writing Skills Workbook Kindergarten Back To School

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Back To School Countdown Banner

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Free Library Card Printables for pretend play

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BackToSchoolGoals18 #CollectiveBias

T-minus 1o days until school starts in our area, and we are not ready mentally…or emotionally…at all. I’m not that mom with the glass of champagne at the first day of school bus stop. I’ll miss the easy mornings of summer and the lack of homework and activities in the afternoon. Life is crazy enough with all of that, but what can you do?

For starters, we can prepare ourselves with a good old fashioned back to school countdown banner.

Back To School Countdown Banner with old fashioned library cards | Five Marigolds

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Honey Bear After School Snack

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Celebrating National Honey Month

This post is sponsored by the National Honey Board, however the content and opinions expressed are my own.

Last week my baby started Pre-Kindergarten. Time is going fast, and I’m determined to savor these golden moments I still have with her at home with some special, 1:1 time.. Since she is getting to be such a big girl, I thought it would be fun to have a special tea party with her, letting her make a new recipe, a Honey Bear after school snack, all by herself.

You see, she is so excited to go to her bumblebee themed classroom a few 1/2 days per week,  and lamented on the first day she didn’t have a bee costume to wear 😂

Then, this weekend,we were especially excited to have guests who just started bee keeping. We enjoyed all their stories and pictures, and even got one of their first bottles of honey as a hostess gift. As a result, the kids are pretty sure we should start beekeeping, too (um, no.).

So, it felt especially serendipitous when I received a golden box of goodies from the National Honey Board to inspire us to celebrate National Honey Month with some honey, beautiful party decorations and easy, kid-friendly recipes.Honey Bear After School Snack | Five Marigolds

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Secret Message Lunchbox Notes

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Printables for Back to School

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wet Ones® Hand Wipes. The opinions and text are all mine. I received free samples of products from Wet Ones®. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias Inc. and its advertiser. #BTSWithWetOnes #CollectiveBias

It’s hard to believe in just a week the kids will be back to school. I mean, WHY does summer break have to go so fast?

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you know I love a good lunchbox note! This year, I’ve created my favorite, ever: Secret Message Lunchbox Notes!Secret Message Lunchbox Notes | Five Marigolds

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School Night Hustle

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Mom Hacks for a Stress- and Clutter-free After School Routine

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KeepingMomsCool #CollectiveBias

Things around here have been a little insane. With the kids back at school and more activities than ever, we were legit struggling there for awhile. Between homework, extracurricular activities and informational school meetings, we had to get organized, and fast.

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite mom hacks for school nights. These tips help keep my family on track so we have more time to do the things we love.

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Easy Crockpot Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

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chicken and wild rice soup is the perfect throw and go crockpot recipe for on-the-go family. A warm and hearty meal that’s kid-approved! 

Today I’m sharing one our family’s go-to meals during the fall and winter months: Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. This soup is amazing because it’s truly a “throw and go” meal – just prep in the morning and come home to the wonderful aroma of this hearty, meal.

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Lunchbox Jokes Printable

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Back to School Lunchbox Jokes Printable

My free lunchbox printables are always super popular this time of year – the one time we moms *actually* feel organized enough to do things like print cutesy lunchbox notes! In the spirit of mom unity, I’ve added another lunchbox jokes printable to my offering so we can all score an A+ in “Pinterest Mom: 101.”

Thanks to my girlfriends who tirelessly pumped their kids for their best jokes to help create this fun collection. Happy back to school season, fellow moms! We can do this!

Free lunchbox jokes printable, just in time for back to school season! | Five Marigolds

Download your free Lunchbox Jokes printable here. (Psst..Don’t forget to share this free resource on your favorite social channel to help me continue to offer these fun freebies!)

More lunchbox printables:

 

 

 

Back to School Wardrobe for Girls

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Back To School Capsule Wardrobe for Girls for $100

Earlier this week I posted my BTS capsule wardrobe for boys, and now I’m sharing my Back to school wardrobe for girls. It’s amazing what great pieces you can afford when you plan ahead and really envision how they will all work together to create multiple outfits. Here, I’ve put together 10 key pieces that work together create 10+ outfits, head to toe, for just around $100.*

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Fill In The Blank Lunchbox Notes Printable

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Is it just me or are summer breaks getting shorter and shorter? My kiddos are dreading going back to school in just a few weeks, but we’re having fun gearing up with new school supplies and goodies, including a newly designed set of fill in the blank lunchbox notes.

I love tucking a fun lunchbox note into their cold lunch at school, and this year decided to make a blank set of notes for when I just want to add my own personalized message. Fill In The Blank Lunchbox Notes Printable | Five Marigolds

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Children’s Artwork Display for Less Than $5

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This is one of my favorite projects to date – also the easiest and least expensive: the children’s artwork display located in our Family Command Center  – otherwise known as the mud room.

I wanted plenty of space where the children could hang their artwork and good grades with pride, without that messy cluttered look on the fridge. It also needed to be really flat to the wall, since the area I’d designated is in a space the width of a hallway.

Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds

Here’s how I did it:

  • Buy these eye hook screws and wire at the hardware store for less than $5 total (or spend a few extra bucks and shop Amazon at the links above if you want to save a trip to the store).
  • Drill holes into the wall where you want your eye hooks to go. Screw the eye hooks into the wall by hand.  Then, wrap your wire around one of the hooks a few times. Stretch it to the other eye hook, pulling and straightening as you go. Wrap it around that eye hook 2-3 times and cut the wire.
  • I already had these cute little inexpensive clips on hand, leftover from Eve’s party favors.They work great for holding the various art and school papers the kids bring home.
  • Voila! Children’s art center complete in 20 minutes and for less than $5.

Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds

As for the rest of our family mud room command center, it’s still a work in progress. I have dreams for this space!

Mud Room Bench Storage | Five Marigolds

Mud Room Key Drop | Five Marigolds

I found that sign at the thrift store. I think it was from a hotel long ago. I just love it!Mud Room Family Command Center Key and Mail Drop

What do you think of my low-tech art center for the kids?

Sources:

  • Rug, Homegoods (similar here and here)
  • Basket, Mary & Martha (similar here)
  • Door Paint, Sherwin Williams Tidewater
  • Walls, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
  • Drawer Pulls and Knobs, Restoration Hardware
  • Key Hook Sign, thrifted (similar here, here,  here and here)

Fall Fashion Finds

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The temperature is dropping here in the Midwest and it’s time to begin thinking of adding to the fall wardrobe. I’m absolutely loving what I’m seeing this season: glam accents like faux fur and leather, studs and spikes, sleek silhouettes and soft textures. I especially love the affordable finds I’m seeing at Forever 21 this season. Check out a few of my favorites here:


*Please read the affiliate disclaimer on the right sidebar. Thank you for your support!

New Quaker Chewy Thin Mint Bars and Free Printable Wrapper

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We’re gearing up for Back to School around here, which is why I was thrilled when BzzAgent recently sent me two free boxes of their new Chewy Girl Scouts Thin Mint granola bars. Talk about a beautiful marriage of foods! Each year we buy Thin Mints in bulk and hoard them until the next cookie selling season, so I’m thrilled to start seeing Thin Mint flavored goodies popping up in the grocery store year-round.

Back To School Granola Bar Wraps Free Printable | Five Marigolds

BzzAgent is an organization that works with brands and provides its ambassadors with samples and coupons in exchange for trying products, sharing their honest opinion, and spreading the word. In this case, the task is easy, because these granola bars are super yummy and kid-approved.  When Dub took his first bite he proclaimed it “Ahh–mazing” and asked if he could have it as his lunchbox treat at school. No problem!

I love to slip little notes and jokes into his lunchbox daily to let him know I’m thinking of him, so I made a few super simple granola bar wraps to add a special touch to his treat. Of course, I couldn’t leave Evelyn out so I made a couple of girly-girl wraps as well.

Want to try these granola bars for yourself? They can find at your local grocery store. Want the wrappers for your kid’s lunchbox? Click here to download your free granola bar wrap printable!

 

Free Back to School Printable: Minecraft Lunchbox Jokes

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Dub just loves clever jokes and puns. When I asked him what he most wanted me to pack in his lunch box for his first day of school, he told me he wanted a Minecraft joke.

There aren’t many options out there for Minecraft lunchbox printables, so I created one on me own, and today I’m sharing it with my subscribers!

Q: How does Steve chop down trees with his fists?

Minecraft Jokes Free Lunchbox Printables | Five Marigolds

A: How wood I know?

Q: Have you heard of the creeper who went to a party?

Minecraft Jokes Free Lunchbox Printables | Five Marigolds

Lunchbox: Happy Jackson

A: He had a blast!

Q. What is a cobblestone’s favorite music?

A. Rock music!

Okay, okay, even if you don’t get these punny jokes, your little Minecraft lovers will.

Minecraft Jokes Free Lunchbox Printables | Five Marigolds

Just click the above image or here for your free Minecraft lunchbox jokes freebie.

Want to see more like these? Let me know in the comments below!

Minecraft Printables and inspiration:

Like these printables? Be sure to check out my other free downloads and inspo:

Minecraft Lego Steve Favors | Five Marigolds

DIY Minecraft Lego Steve Favors

Be Minecraft Valentine's Day Printable

Be Minecraft Printable

Minecraft Birthday Party on a Budget | Five Marigolds

DIY Minecraft Birthday Party

 

Back to School Wardrobe for Boys – On a Budget

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For many, it feels like school just got out for the summer. But in our neck of the woods, summer is already more than half over! Every year I scour summer sales to help build our back to school wardrobe on a budget. I try to find a variety of mix and match pieces to maximize our budget in style. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

Back to School Wardrobe for Boys On a Budget | Five Marigolds #BTS

Shopping information:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

What do you think? Do you shop sales early for back to school season, or do you wait for the fall sales?

Thanks for stopping by!

* In addition to being featured in the fabulous blogs buttoned up in the right sidebar, this post was also linked up at The Scoop and The Turquoise Home.

*This post contains some affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure in the sidebar.

 

 


Easy, Inexpensive Favor Bags

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Paper Bag Party Favors | Five MarigoldsDress up a common paper lunch bag to be something extra special!  EClaire needed to take favor bags to school for her half birthday (summer birthday problems!). I had a few awkwardly shaped items so I needed a decent-sized bag, but I didn’t want to spend much.

As usual, I headed to the Dollar Tree fro some paper lunch bags and doilies. Then, I secured them with these tiny craft clothespins that you can get at Hobby Lobby or here on Amazon. I love how these turned out, and you can make 40 for just $6. Next time, I love the idea of trying these for birthday party favors with colorful doilies and clothespins.

These would be great for Valentines, Birthday parties or even for quick and easy gift wrap for small gifts.

Paper Bag Party Favors | Five Marigolds  Paper Bag Party Favors | Five Marigolds Paper Bag Party Favors | Five Marigolds