I don't do warm lunches very often, mostly because they can't be packed the night before and I usually don't want to take the time in the morning.  But this one was super easy because it was just leftovers. We had macaroni and cheese and salad for dinner last night.  As you have heard me say many times before, I always cook extra.  If I'm boiling the water and opening the box, then why not make 4 boxes of mac & cheese instead of 2? It's just as easy, and then we have another meal already made.  We also had a salad bar with our dinner, and so I had extra of the veggies already cut up.  I made up the salad boxes last night, from the salad leftovers, and put those in the fridge.  Then in the morning all I had to do was heat up the mac & cheese and put it in the thermos containers.

Sometimes on a Friday I will use lunch packing as an opportunity to clean out the fridge a bit. This is the only kind of scenario in which you will see me pack a totally different lunch for each kid. I've got a little bit of this and a little bit of that, so each box looks a little different. 

I am a big, big fan of leftovers.  I don't think I have ever cooked a meal where there was just enough for that meal.  While it may be something I enjoy, and it is a labor of love for me - let's be honest, cooking can be a lot of work!  So I figure if I am going to do all that work, I am going to make the most of my time and effort.  So I always cook extra, and I always try to have an idea for another meal out of what I have cooked. 

Pancake sandwiches are so easy and fun to make.  Every Sunday I make a big family breakfast, and usually include either pancakes or waffles.  I always make extra, because they freeze great and they are great for quick weekday breakfasts or school lunches.  I usually make some with blueberries or other fruit, and some plain.  For a pancake sandwich, just spread a cold pancake with your favorite filling, and smush it together.  

My oldest daughter (now 8!!) revealed to me the other day that she LOVED tuna.  Well, ok then.  I did not know this. So tuna it is. When a child tells me they like a food, I jump at that chance, so tuna has been on my list since school started last week.

My menu plan says that one day a week I do a "lunchable" type thing, on Tuesdays.  Which to me means basically crackers, with some protein and stuff.  So today the protein is tuna. My kids seem to do best when they have plenty of protein, so I try to make the protein the main part of the meal if I can.

ay 2 of school is not a time to throw anybody any curve balls.  I will stick with favorites and things I know they will eat, so we can make sure we get through the day with full tummies. I try to do sandwiches only one day a week, it forces me to maintain some variety, and Friday is usually the day, but cutting it in a fun shape is a super simple way to make an ordinary sandwich seem a little special.  On this second day of school I want to make sure they are feeling the love!