While growing up Halloween trumped Christmas as the holiday I looked most forward to. It wasn’t so much the candy that had me counting down the days, but the costumes. My mother would indulge my dress-up desires and help me brainstorm what I could be for Halloween months in advance. Now even today, I look forward to Halloween and fall is one of my most favorite times of year, but besides costumes, I indulge in festive drinks and dishes. Because I associate Halloween with my childhood, it’s only fitting to post some frightfully delicious drinks for kids.

Perhaps you can think of ones I may have missed?

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This week we are recognizing Mommy (and one Daddy) bloggers who, through their hard blogging work, have helped many a parent put a quick dinner together, provide laundry tips, and teach us shortcuts for making school lunches. Mommy and Daddy blogs offer more than just useful parenting and cooking tips, they are also the voice of a community.

Just as informative as reading news blogs, and as addictive as a gossip column, mommy bloggers are an inspiration to new mothers and experienced grandmothers alike. With all the gorgeous food photography and delicious recipes, you don’t have to be a parent to appreciate this week’s featured food blogs.

Just to kick things off, here are some quick and easy menu ideas for the week!

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If it was one thing my mom dreaded more than anything else, it was making school lunches. Not like it was a terribly difficult or demanding chore, it was just one of those things that always needed to be done, like washing dishes or vacuuming the carpet. I think the real issue wasn’t the act of making the lunch, it was the effort of deciding what to put in it. You see, my mother can’t stand to make the same recipe twice, therefore making a school lunch day after day was quite the challenge.  Sometimes I’d get into a food rut, like everyone does and only request cheese sandwiches or a thermos of chicken noodle soup and perhaps that was the best thing I could have done for her- take her creativity out of the equation. To me though, there was nothing better than opening a mysterious, crinkly brown bag from my backpack and find a sweet note attached to a handmade sandwich or something silly, like a candy gummy rat or a finger puppet resting just inside to brighten my school day.

Now that school is back in session, it doesn’t have to be peanut butter and jelly every day; here are some delicious and creative ideas to surprise your little student.

* Create a mini veggie platter in a reusable container and a small container of ranch dressing.
* Create small, cucumber and cream cheese tea sandwiches without crust, or cut into shapes.
* Cook and chill pot stickers and pack them with raw sweet pepper and cucumber slices.
* Use small cookie cutters to make fun shapes into sandwich bread.

More Fun Ideas

Other Fun School Lunch Ideas
Cool School Lunches from MomsMenu.com
Pack a Lunch with Punch by Veg Cooking
Ideas for a Greener Lunch by iLunchbox

Above Photo by Lara604

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