• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

August 22, 2012

Lunchbox Notes

I’ll never forget packing my son’s lunch for the first day of first grade.
I couldn’t believe that he was going to be eating it with all of those other kids instead of at home with me…where he belonged!
The night before school started, I began lovingly making and packing each item for his lunch.
There may or may not have been some tears that made it into the lunchbox too.
back to school, lunchbox, lunchbox note

Once it was all ready to be put in the fridge overnight, I made sure to write a little note to him on his napkin so he would know how much we loved him…that we were praying for him…that we were proud of him.
Now, here we are on the precipice of him starting Third Grade in two short weeks and he isn’t the only one who has learned a lot over the last two years.

I’ve learned that boys don’t use napkins packed in their lunches.

They probably never see the light of day.

Case in point…one day I went to pick him up from school and noticed that his pants were covered in some sort of orange colored streaks.

When consulted about this he informed me that he “had to wipe off the Cheetos on something, right mom?” To which I replied, “Well you had a napkin in there.” To which he replied, “I did?”

So, in order to continue to pour out my mushy-gushy mommy love on him, I decided to come up with a solution. A way that he wouldn’t ever miss those notes I was writing him.

I was going to make a Lunchbox Note Pocket!

Here’s what you will need:
1) Hot Glue Gun
2) Ribbon
3) Photo Sleeve cut out of an album

Oh, and make sure that the album is as awesome as this green and white gingham one with daisies on it that someone gave you at a bridal shower. Pretty snazzy, huh?

Aw yeah. 

Once you’ve cut/torn the photo sleeve out of the album, attach it by applying the hot glue to the lid of the lunchbox (don’t try to put the glue on the photo sleeve first..trust me it won’t stick!)
and then quickly press the photo sleeve onto the lid.

Next, use some cute ribbon you found that looked perfect for “Back to School” and if you are worried that your son might tell you that it looks too “baby-ish” since they are going to be learning cursive this year and all, you tell him that he should just be happy that you didn’t pick the ribbon with the choo-choo trains on it because they reminded you of when he loved playing with his little wooden trains. So there!

back to school

Then, write a note and slip it into the Lunchbox Note Pocket!

Take deep breaths as you write out the words “third grade” and hold back the tears.

There will be plenty of time for them when you make his lunch the night before school starts. 
Besides, his younger sister is starting Kindergarten so you might as well just save all of the blubbering and get it over in one fell swoop, right?
Be sure to come back tomorrow when we will be introducing you to a new face you might just start seeing more of around the Fence!
AND, don’t forget that there is still plenty of time to enter to win the 
$1,000 Visa Gift Card from
Kraft Capri Sun Super V!

Click here to enter!

Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

Sharing this here:
Tutorials, Tips & Tidbits

21 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Family, Good Ideas, Kids

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « $1,000 Visa Gift Card Giveaway from Kraft!
Next Post: Back to School Party Ideas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. NanaDiana says

    August 21, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    Vanessa- What a great idea. I used to tuck notes in all my kids’ lunchboxes everyday. That ended when it became cooler (and cheaper for me) for the to buy lunch from the school cafeteria- Blessing for your BIG guy going back to school- xo Diana

    Reply
  2. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME/Doublewide Decor says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Cute idea….oh I remember tucking notes, new erasers…etc in the kids lunch…and then they got too cool to take a lunch…then, they drove to lunch…they are in their 30’s now…so you want to blubber together???

    Reply
  3. Four Marrs and One Venus says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    What an adorable idea! Love the Pocket!!

    Reply
  4. Homey Home Design says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Very cute!

    Reply
  5. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    Aw, what a great Mom you are, Vanessa! Sometimes I really miss those days of tucking notes into lunch boxes. Most days I’m simply glad to know young Moms still do it! Best wishes and God’s richest blessings for fantastic 3rd grade and Kindergarten memory-making in the year ahead!

    Reply
  6. Geneva says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    Love this idea! You did good!

    Reply
  7. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    August 21, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    I LOVE this idea Vanessa! Going to be a copy cat and do this for my youngest, she’ll love it!!

    Reply
  8. Christine says

    August 21, 2012 at 10:45 PM

    Such a great idea! I’ve discovered that third grade little girls don’t use napkins either. I always pack a treat in her lunch and this year its rice crispies and they have an area just to write a note, brillant idea!!

    Reply
  9. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic says

    August 22, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    Very cute idea!
    I always tucked a special note in their lunch on the first day of school. One year my daughter didn’t find it because it was in a pocket and was disappointed. When I picked her up she said I forgot to put a note in her new lunch box, but was happy when I told her it was in once of the pockets.

    Reply
  10. classic • casual • home says

    August 22, 2012 at 4:25 AM

    Oh that choked me up….I remember the Note Days. My children have turned out so well…and who knew what I was doing!

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    August 22, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    This is a fantastic idea! I remember the note days very well. I remember the first day of kindergarten days, too.

    Reply
  12. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    August 22, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    I love this idea Vanessa! I remember sending love notes to my babies too! I just wish I would have had a wonderful note pocket to put them in! Very very clever and something your children will remember!
    I laughed out loud about your son’s cheetos stains. Boy, can I relate!!!
    Please stop by StoneGable later later this evening and join TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS…
    what a great DYI!

    Reply
  13. Kelly says

    August 22, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    That’s such a cute idea for the lunchbox! I pack my son’s lunch every morning. I just bought him some of those new Capri Sun’s to try too.

    Reply
  14. Becca says

    August 22, 2012 at 8:10 PM

    Aw, Vanessa … what a great idea !! I love that you made something permanent … and, I know that he’ll look forward to your sweet notes every day !! You’re such a great Mommy. My Mom used to put notes in my lunchbox every day for a few years … I did it randomly for Jax last year, but need to be more consistent this year … before he gets *too cool* or embarrassed, right? Thanks again for sharing !!

    Reply
  15. Forbrukslån på dagen says

    August 23, 2012 at 6:12 AM

    Discussed about the lunch box notes we can be know that and find in this types instruction we can able to understand .when we go to office ,school and any other picnic place then how to make our lunch box and how to work and used in this type lunch box. Most of the people are very like it and do enjoy it.

    Reply
  16. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    August 23, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    OK Vanessa, you got me all teary. My daughter will be starting first grade soon and I will definitely be doing this! What an awesome idea. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  17. Amy Hadden says

    August 24, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    Hi,
    Cute lunchbox note pocket idea. I have the solution to fill those pockets with cute notes. I post free printable lunch notes every school morning on my site https://littlelunchnotes.com/. Illustrated jokes, fun facts, etc. – please take a look.

    Reply
  18. Crystelle says

    August 25, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    This is a GREAT idea! Thanks for the tip….!
    I will be using this…!

    Reply
  19. Stacy Curran says

    August 25, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    This is the sweetest idea ever!! Thanks for sharing!
    Stacy

    Reply
  20. Anna says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:16 PM

    I love love love this idea! I am SO going to do this when Malea gets a little older and can read better. 🙂

    Anna

    Reply
  21. Lyn Tibbitts says

    May 16, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    This is such a cute idea! And I love how you were inspired to create it. Haha.

    I saw this project on Kickstarter and thought it might be something you could apply to your work, especially something like this!

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/376749862/tag-on-that-print-anything-on-anything?ref=live

    Hope you have a great week!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Debbie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Open Now December 17, 2020
  • Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour December 9, 2020
  • Tabletop Hot Cocoa Station November 29, 2020
  • A New Front Door November 10, 2020
  • Gaining Perspective October 26, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
Follow
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence