prmama528

I recently found out about bento when I was looking online for lunch boxes. When I go back to school in the spring, I’ll need to pack my kids lunches & mine 2x-3x a week. Last semester I bought lunch, usually at McD’s because it was the only place nearby :( I always said I don’t bring lunch because I don’t have time in the morning. Now, I think it’s just lack of excitement in the lunches I made.
It’ll be a lot of fun to make bentos so I’m hoping I’ll be motivated not to go out to eat at all. I’m going to wait to buy bento supplies until I’ve done it at least a few times.
I made my first attempt tonight with things I already had…

I do alright at baking, I guess because you mix everything up and the actual baking/oven part is done, usually in one shot. Cooking dinner, breakfast, anything else is a whole other story. I just got married and my husband,who usually cooks, works late sometimes so I need to learn soon.

I tried making Shepard’s Pie (1st dinner after getting married) – honorable mention. I forgot pepper or salt. I cant remember which but it was ok putting it on afterward.
Pepper Steak – failed, overcooked
Turkey Legs – failed, very very overcooked. Although in my defense I followed the kraft foods recipe cooking directions exactly.
Barbeque chicken – it was ok
Shake and Bake chicken (if that qualifies) – about the only thing I can make successfully….so far
Spaghetti and Mac n Cheese – no problem

As long as my husband and kids suffer in silence to not hurt my feelings then I wont give up trying. hehehe. I’m going to be trying Slow Cooker Creole Chicken this week…we will see how that turns out.

I never considered myself the stay @ home mom type, till now. I had a son when I was 19, am recently married, & had another son last month. I can only speak for myself when I say being a parent in your teens/early 20’s is a LOT different than in your 30’s. I’m a much better parent now, not that I was a horrible one before with my older son but I definately made a lot of mistakes. We do have a lot of love in our family and that’s what most important. But, I realized all the things I missed out on with my oldest son being in daycare. I dont want to have history repeat itself. It’s not too late to be at home for my oldest son & I dont want to miss out with my youngest. I get teary eyed almost every time I think, the daycare people arent going to hug my baby during the day when he cries & kiss his little chubby cheeks. So, I’m counting down the days til we sell my old house & pay down some bills so there’s at least a possiblity of me staying home.