Simplify Breakfast With A Self-Serve Breakfast Bar

Glass jars
IKEA |left|, WalMart |right|

Carpet in the kitchen. Don't let it happen to you!

As a mom to two boys under the age of four, I rarely set a morning alarm. I hear their first little songs and footsteps as early as 6:30 AM, and always before 8 AM. I lie in bed with my eyes closed and listen for the sounds of a doorknob turning, and a door creaking open. Once little feet hit the hall with a thump-thump-thump-thump I know it's time for Breakfast.

I was motivated by an approaching Morning preschool schedule to create a Breakfast Bar for my 4-year-old Leap.

Hubby and I help the boys with cereal. I don't mind minimizing milk spills on a carpeted kitchen floor. Who carpets a kitchen floor?! No one with toddlers, I say. Admittedly, I'd opt for a milk spill over yogurt spill.

For perishables, I dedicated a pair of refrigerator door bins to Leap's Breakfast Bar. I prepare his bar once for the week, and refill it as needed. I find that washing/slicing fruit and veggies as soon as I get them home makes it quick and easy.

It would appear the current value of a cheese stick is two Duplos!

Glass jars + yellow plastic lids
Tai Pan Trading |under $2 each|

Leap can reach, handle, and open everything here which is exciting for him! Take your preschooler with you to find containers he/she can easily and safely hold and open. I love these glass jars from Tai Pan Trading. I love that the plastic lids come off, and that I can put the glass jar in the dishwasher. If our glass containers have you feeling unsettled, rest assured glass wasn't a concern for us on account of our fabulous brown carpet!

As a preschooler, he won't eat lunch at school. But, I'm hoping his self-serve Breakfast bar continues to be a great opportunity to

• eat [healthy] when he's hungry

• choose, and combine his meal

• exercise a bit of independence

• learn about balance and moderation

The shopping list

     Dairy | Protein bin

     • Organic whole milk yogurt

     • Low-fat yogurt

     • Organic lowfat strawberry milk

     • Cheddar cheese sticks

     • Hard-boiled eggs

     Fruit | Veggie bin
     • Raspberries
     • Blueberries
     • Strawberries, sliced
     • 100% apple juice

What would you add to our breakfast bar?