Time to start buying... SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Yes, you read the title right. Now before you start throwing stuff at the computer mad because summer is literally almost here. Hear me out on my thoughts, as a PTO/PTA mom and also the VP for now 5 years running, you get to know the teachers. By January and especially February, this is what I hear... "I am almost out of copy paper. " "I need sanitizer, I am on empty" and things of this nature. Before you go "I bought them supplies at the beginning of the school year" I want you to think long and hard about what some schools are able to pay their teachers. For my son's school, and we are 1 RURAL school. I know our school budget isn't much and they make do on so little. I know we grew up hearing "The schools have no money" and it was true then and even more now. Think about the rising costs of living and how little a teacher's salary has gone up. I am not trying to guilt any parent here. At the end of the school year think about how little they have to work with.

So, my solution. The 1st day of school comes every year, same time every year. You know your kid is going to school and supplies are needed.The supply lists come out at various times maybe the 1st day of schools like ours. Other schools may mail it with your teacher assignment a few weeks before school starts. I long ago decided to divide and conquer. There are specifics you can not get until the list is in your hands, paper, markers, number of folders, etc. So I start buying now what I KNOW I will need.

Here is my list I am literally stock piling for the teacher
Tissues
Sanitizer
Sanitizer wipes,
Box of copy paper (some schools demand teachers supply their own)
Colored copy paper (2 or 3 reams)
Pencils
Crayons
Dry Erase Markers
Pencil Sharpeners (for your kid)

These are items that you can get some good deals on slowly to stock up. If they can't use it, there is another teacher who can. Sharing is caring for them or they will be trading Kleenexes for Sanitizer.

I am also stock piling for myself AKA buying clothes on clearance. Plus we order our backpacks and lunch boxes from Amazon. It is their downtime, so I want to get a good deal. Our favorite sports teams are from our home town, so Amazon has the best deals for us.

My list,
Backpack (My son goes through these once a year, this year we had 2)
Lunchbox (Another one of those things that gets a lot of wear and tear)
Thermos (for drinks)
I am shopping for a new lunch box system to have a variety depending on the meals. (Another blog idea)
Wide Ruled Paper (homework)
Homework Box supplies (I will post on this later)
Clothes you know your child will need (Shorts, school uniform items, sweaters, etc)

Start a list on your planner or on your phone. Add things as you think of them, stuff like this you NEED. If you can get a bargain or stock up to help the teachers it is a Dollar well spent

Lunch Box Love and why I am so glad I ordered them

I have been following a lot of blogs for almost 9 months now about packing lunches and like myself they post pictures on various social media sites. I always see these little cards that are about the size of business cards, that have just a few wonderful notes on them.

I kept checking the website, but I thought "Ohh my son won't like them." (my son is 9 and you never know at this age how they feel about public displays of affection... of any kind) Finally I broke down and ordered them when they were having a HUGE SALE. I decided if he didn't like them I would give them to friends or save them for my daughter when she started school. My delivery got here the Saturday before our school was scheduled to start their state testing. PERFECT TIMING!!! The delivery was super fast, I had ordered them on Wednesday.

I opened them up and yes immediately read all my cards, there are over 100 and they give you a few extra in each pack to write your own note if you want. The cards also on the back have a fun random fact or a joke which I love. I packed one for the first day of the daunting test, which I didn't let him see me sneak it in. The result was amazing. He came home with a smile and said he loved it. He shared the fun fact which I pick the funniest one about a Japanese butterfly having it's eyes on it's butt. Seriously, potty humor applies to all 9 year olds.

I added a few pictures so you could read some of the notes.

In closing, I love this product. I like packing his lunch, but this gives a little something extra for him. If he had a bad 1st part of the day, he can read something that might cheer him up. When you get your mail and have a card or a note from a friend, it means the world to you right? Plus a funny note or a joke, that is even better. I also feel it can promote kindness and kids need kindness. Our children need to see us as parents giving kindness so they can learn from our example.  

Please go to Lunch Box Love and poke around on their site. They have lunch cards and other things you might just love. 

Disclaimer! Lunch Box Love owned by Say Please did not compensate me in any way for this review. I wrote this on my own and the views here are mine and of my own. All pictures are property of One Happy Momma of Two and @lunchesby1happymommao2 on Instagram. Please contact me to use any of the pictures provided. If you would like please feel free to email me here

The disappearing weekends

School is almost out for us and as a member of our PTO executive board... we celebrate as much as the teachers. Baseball is going on right now, swim starts the following weekend after school, and then there is this move we are trying to maneuver. With school starting up in mid-late July (year round schools here) the following Thursday after the swim championships.  Every single weekend is book solid with games, swim meets, and other social functions.

I have decided things are going to have to change. I can't do this every weekend booked solid run run run. It's not fair to my husband who is RUN RUN RUN at work all week he needs down time too. He is going to want to veg out on the couch and watch a baseball game or a movie. Plus in Southern Arizona, who wants to be run run run in the hot hot heat?

The disappearing weekend seems to happen more and more these days and for long stretches at a time. With families and kids, do they need down time? How often do you feel is needed? I feel Sunday is church and nothing else unless. We do a Sunday dinner, take walks, and maybe have guests over for dinner. I am horrible at going and going then all the sudden I piled on to much and break down. I at that point cancel the weekend and we have our jammies on Saturday Morning until we go to church.

 What do you do to handle your schedule and make sure your family gets down time outside of sleeping and church?

My love of reading... Cookbooks?

So, I have this weird thing, well for me because I don't know other people who do this. I love to read cookbooks. I am super super weird. I am not talking your Betty Crocker (No offense Betty, I do use your recipes). I read cookbooks written by people, who share why they came up with a recipe, what fun story or situation got the creative juices flowing. I also love love love those cookbooks churches or a PTA will do because mom's cook for scheduling around families. While I love Betty Crocker, Better Homes and Garden and so forth. I love a recipe a mom has tried and knows is a crowd pleaser on days when, there is school, homework, PTA meetings, soccer practice, and ballet. That isn't to say I don't like to cook a nice meal other than the major holidays. I just love knowing a recipe is a keeper is quick, easy, and will be a crowd pleaser.

I have a few that I am loving. You have heard me talk about Catherine the founder of Weelicious and she has written 2 books. I love them and use them weekly. I am currently reading Best Lunch Box Ever by Katie Sullivan Morford. 1/3 of the way in and it is a keeper for me. Another blog I follow Momables and the fabulous Laura Fuentes is currently working on her book.

When it comes to packing lunches, meals, anything with food. People have their tastes, some stick with what works other people want to change it up ever so often. I love these books and I have a huge respect for the moms who put work into them. I am trying to change up our whole family and what we eat. I like change and for me, I want to try something new. My husband is a man who loves to stick with what works, I agree to a point. When I am staring down the tortillas for tacos for the 5th time in a month, I need a change.

My kids are who I typically experiment on and lately my luck has been running pretty good. My son has expanded his palette. He has his dad in him and don't mess with the fruits and veggies, if you follow me on Instagram where I post pictures of my lunches, you see the theme. I am hoping that changes but for the most part I think he is stuck in what he likes there and won't change.

So let's hear it. Do you have a favorite cookbook or blog, if so what ones? Do you stick with the norm or change it up with your meal plans? How do you handle your picky eaters?

What a CRAZY MONTH. February is almost here.

Back in the 2nd Grade I was in a play called "Lazy Old February" and it talked about how ALL the other months have important things to do... and February had all these days off. When in reality, as an adult all those holidays mean your kids have days off school. We also here in the grand old city of Tucson, have this 3 day break called RODEO...YES!!!!! Our kids get 3 days off for Rodeo, apparently it is a HUGE grand tradition. We have never been and being our last one, we won't be able to make it this year. February for this household is going to be MAJORLY BUSY. Birthday parties, a birthday of our own, packing up knick knacks and also fixing up our home to sell.

I can't even take a break now, 2 sick kids. My oldest with bronchitis and my youngest with a slight case of croup. Family just left town as well... no rest for this Momma. Not at all.

So, I have been doing research on things I want to change in my household. I feel in the past 4 years I have made some MAJOR changes with our family. I pretty much got rid of artificial dyes and colorings... (SEE ******** I am asteriking my self) I will admit on holidays (cookie decorating, birthdays, some exceptions are made). I am not going to deny my kids decorating cookies at Christmas or a slice of cake at a party. I want them to have a healthy understanding of moderation... and they are YOUNG. In our daily diet though, those things are not there. I have noticed a MAJOR difference when they get their hands on junk, WATCH OUT. I am humbled though by the changes, my son who is almost 9, should get some major props from other moms. Often, he chooses water over juice, carrots over chips, and over all just makes himself snacks that are healthy.

I often feel that I can do more. I am researching juicing vs making green smoothies with a blender. I know my oldest will NOT go for it. However, my youngest can't resist a fresh Mango Carrot juice. She couldn't resist if you gave her a choice between the juice and a new kitty. She would charm you and end up with both. So the two little ladies of the house are on board, I don't see the men touching anything green.

I am also reading a lot about essential oils. Ways to use them for your body and your home. I am so intrigued and apparently this is a HUGE thing. I have read about 7 different popular companies just TODAY.

I pass the essential oils all the time at my local natural grocery stores. I have never ever tried them, until yesterday. I cringe at Vick's Baby and the mess it makes on the bedding, floors, carpets, etc. My kids also can't stand the stuff.  I was buying some Hyland's Cough medicine and I glanced over and just thought "just go smell some, what could it hurt" Well a half hour later, I had peppered the poor woman in charge of the Whole Living department and left with Eucalyptus and Lavender. I added some to our warm mist humidifier and cold our cold mist one for the croup. VOILA, the kids slept through the night and so did mom. I was amazed, I called my friend who had been pushing me and gushed how excited I was. I am hoping for a repeat tonight of sleepful bliss.


Does anyone have any advice on Juicing vs Mixing or Essential oils? I could use some advice, why you like them. What appliances or brands you like. ANYTHING?

*** All opinions in this post are mine and mine alone. I have nothing against artificial dyes or Vick's and it's parenting company. This was not a sponsored blog from Hyland's or it's parenting company nor any other brand. Before starting a new diet, changing your diet, or starting new forms of medication please consult a physician. Thank you

Happy 2014

How was everyone's New Year? Mine was noisy and peaceful. Early party at a friends and home by 10 for bedtime for my toddler.


Did you make a resolution for the year? I don't have resolutions though I do feel the need to purge and reorganize things this time of the year. I associate it with the fact that nothing is on schedule and my son it out of school so  I have some free time and I notice all the junk on my book shelves or in my closet. We are still out of school until Monday. I feel a massive PURGE in my very near future. I have NO RESOLUTION... just a goal. To make it through 2014 and land at December 21, 2014 with my sanity in tact or I guess partially intact.

My family and I are starting the process to move from Arizona to Texas. So this Purge is coming at an awesome time as we get ready to list our home. I bought Post-Its to tag things I want and what needs to be sold. I have a post-it book to put reminders in my planner (yes, I still use a paper planner). Also purchased was a BEAUTIFUL leather journal. I feel that the only way to keep my sanity is to write 3 positive things about my day and then a little about each day. I feel by the end of the year, my journal should be quite interesting.

I previously wrote about stocking my freezer for lunch items for my son... this move is the reason why. It's going to get crazy so I am planning now.

I hope everyone had a great New Year. Did your kiddos go back to school today? What is your NY Resolution or Goals?

Has it really been 17 days?

I am sorry, between the sickness that is still sort of plaguing us, the holiday bustle, and the holiday clean up. Here I am, I didn't abandon you at all!

So now becomes that lull between Christmas and New Years for us parents. We have been RUNNING on fumes pretty much since Thanksgiving. Baking, wrapping, and attending Winter Programs at our kids schools. My brain is mush, so I am doing some freezer cooking for school lunches :) Easy, doesn't require much thought, and you will be thankful in the coming week. The first day back to school hits you like a ton of bricks, you can prepare all you want. However, the moment that 6 AM alarm goes off, you get mad that you have to get up and go out in 20 degree weather to drive to school.

This week I am freezing. Click on the link to be taken to the source. Some of the Weelicious recipes are from her cookbooks. I will link to those below.

Weelicious Crispy Chicken Bites (Just video, recipe is in her cookbook

Weelicious Graham Crackers

Weelicious Polenta Cut Outs

Weelicious Breakfast Poltenta Cut Outs

For After School Snacks I can never ever go wrong with Momables DIY Frozen Uncrustables easy peasy for my almost 9 year old.

Also, to get you back into the running from school to activities Momables DIY Bistro Boxes will help make the adjustment easier

DIY Protein

Chicken & Hummus

Fruit and Cheese

Goat Cheese and Veggie


As I said above Weelicious which is owned by Catherine McCord has published 2 cookbooks. I own both and they are wonderful. Her first Weelicious Fast, Fresh, and Easy recipes and her most recent Weelicious Lunches I have them both on Kindle Edition and just love them.

Momables is another site I some how stumbled across in the past year and as you can see I love her site too. I am still finding new fun recipes each visit. Her philosophy is to pack the night before and spare the morning stress. I didn't always do this, but really it helps. She is in the beginning stages of her first cookbook which I am so excited and can't wait to read.

I believe the first week or three need to be easy and less stress for Parents and Kids is the BEST WAY TO GO

* Disclosure - Weelicious, Catherine McCord, Momables, and Amazon did not compensate me for this post. These are my own thoughts and views of each recipe and website.