Bento Blessing #3: Zero is just a number.
Looks like the kids like the positive/negative cut outs I am making out of the cucumbers so why not repeat it? Today’s version is just sliced cucumbers and a number “0” (zero) cookie cutter. The Man got the ends of the cucumbers, sliced up. No wastage!
Halving a cantaloupe in two, I scooped up the seeds out of the middle, then cut the cantaloupe so that I had slices that were “0” shaped (similar to the nectarine pictures below). The same “0” cookie cutter that were used to cut the cucumber was used to cut out cantaloupe ovals.
I also split a nectarine in half, then cut each half into “0” shape slices (see below). Once sliced, I cut them into slivers.
Another fruit addition was a pear, I cut one pear into 4 slices and let them soak in some lemon water. I split one slice between the Boy and Girl, while the Man got 3 slices.
The kids’ Bento Box contents: Fruit cup consisting of cantaloupe ovals, and nectarine slivers on top. Cucumber positive/negative ovals. Raisins in a small silicon cup topped with a slice of dried mango. Slices of pear. Cheese quesadillas cut up with a “person” cookie cutter, with a few “Gusher” candies on top.
The Man’s Bento Boxes: Fruit cup of cantaloupe ovals. Cucumber slices. Raisins in a silicon cup topped with a slice of dried mango. 3 pieces of pear. 2 apples and a nectarine. One chocolate pudding cup. One Nature Valley granola bar. One slice of pizza (leftover from a guys’ night out last night). Container of grapes. 3 slices fresh cheese quesadilla (not shown, it was still in the oven!). Small container of prunes. (If that last addition doesn’t show love, I don’t know what does. 😉 )
Today’s Bento Blessing: I took inspiration from the number “O” and when we discussed the box today, I told the kids that no matter how low or useless and worthless they feel (or have someone make you feel) sometimes, God still sees huge value in them. He has given us all something special in each of us and we are more precious in His sight than we can imagine. He can turn a zero into a perfect ten, just like I added the strips of nectarine (to symbolize the number 1) – turning “O” into “10.” Lord, help my kids to know their value in and of themselves as a child of God. Help their confidence to be strong. Help them to have friends who build them up and help them to be a friend who does the same. Please help me to be the kind of wife and mother who encourages her husband and children. Thank you for the opportunity the Girl has to be Head Monitor at the school. We know all glory belongs to you and we pray you will guide her to do the best she can.
Today’s Bento Bonus: I split a pack of Gushers between the two, and am thrilled with that, instead of them having a whole pack as they normally would have. Their jewel-coloured tones fit in well with today’s theme as I put them in with the “person” quesadillas and called them “jewels.” The kids got the reference that they are so precious in the sight of God, and to me as well.
Bento Bonus from yesterday: I learned NOT to include dry items like crackers and cookies in with wet items such as fruit even if they are separated by silicon cups. All 3 complained of slightly soggy crackers from yesterday’s lunch. Note to self: either wrap cookies up in foil/saran wrap or pack in separate container.