Free shipping on all orders over $75🎄

When my daughter started first grade this year, I was somewhat overly excited at the prospect of packing her lunch every so often.

I pictured myself lovingly cutting her sandwich into four squares each night before school.

I’d responsibly include a fresh fruit or vegetable in each lunch, and even add a quick post-it note that professed my love for the tiny little learner, always finishing off with a tender “Love, Mommy.”

Ha.

Those lovely lunch-side visions and sentiments lasted all of about four days.

That greedy little learner has since decided she wants to pack EVERY DARN DAY, and my full-time working “Mommy-Teacher-Family Manager-Writer-and seventeen other titles” role has given way to Lunchables, fruit snacks, and overly processed pre-packaged fruits likely overloaded with sugar.

Post-it notes? They’re only on my laptop and crumbled in my purse, reminding me of meetings I’ll forget to attend.

Mom life.

But I’m generally pretty seasoned at shoving any and all mom guilt right out the window, and have far more respect and understanding of reality.

That is, until I was turned on to a local Dad in my area whose lunch bag game is strong, friends.

Chris Dye, a graphic designer from the Greater Cincinnati area I myself reside in, is the lunch bag packing Dad we would all want at 9 years old.

Or honestly, even at 35 years old.

Because Chris’ kids, Lucy, age 9, and Read, age 12, tote brown bag lunches with enough flair to make your local TGI Fridays waiter jealous.

About a year ago, Chris haphazardly grabbed a marker and sketched a quick happy face on Lucy’s lunch bag one day when the bus was running late. Over the course of the next few weeks, he did the same numerous times for his daughter and son, often making the faces mirror the emotions and expressions they were trotting through the house with that morning.

A rambunctious fourth grader, Lucy’s were generally happy and goofy. Read, a middle schooler, generally got sleepy-eyed faces.

Fast forward a year later, and Chris’ lunch bag art has most definitely evolved.

Color, detail, and tying his sketches into the kids’ favorite things, hobbies, and the day’s happenings has given way to full-blown masterpieces that have teachers, lunch ladies, and of course Lucy and Read’s peers, looking forward to lunch time all the more each day.

Chris takes pictures of each unique bag and shares them on his Instagram account @dyehatesinsta– an endeavor that started as a way to share them with close friends and family.

Now, however, Chris is humbled at the compliments and urges from others to make their kids bags, or even make a business out of the side-gig he’s come to love.

For now, he hopes to start with some giveaways on his Instagram account, where lucky followers can win a bundle of themed bags for commenting, or even offering up unique bag ideas for him to sketch.

If it goes anywhere beyond that, he’ll consider it a bonus.

The real reward, he says, has been getting back to the quick, simple, off-the-cuff sketching that his love of art began with years ago- before 9-5 hours, deadlines, and complicated lengthy projects with constraints.

Add in the fact that it gets smiles, laughs, and a quick bonding moment between he and his kids each morning- one of whom is nearing the dreaded teen years- and it’s a win-win for this talented and witty Dad of two.

When curiosity made me probe Chris to dish on what culinary delicacies lie within these effortlessly unique bags, he assured me that the meals are a bit less original than the artwork that adorns them.

“Their lunches are nothing special. Just your average PB&J, some chips, and a fruit-roll-up” he explained.

“Throwing in some carrots meets the healthy requirement, and I call it a day.”

Shew.

Cause if I found out Lucy and Read were munching on organic veggies and house-made hummus each day, I was definitely going to have to file him under that Pinterest Mom cult we all secretly love to hate.

But another frazzled, barely surviving parent that somehow makes just enough time to squeak out a little something to bring joy to his kids on a daily basis?

We can most definitely be friends.

And since we are- I’d like two dozen 90’s era themed bags, like now, dear friend.

I’m picturing Zack Morris getting flirty with me on his massive car phone, with a side of Lisa Frank on the back.

Order up Chris- order up.

Head on over to Chris’ Instagram @dyehatesinsta to see more of his unique work and share some love.

 

 

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Ashley Kleisinger

Bio- Ashley Kleisinger is a mommy, elementary school teacher, and blogger from Northern Kentucky. When not lesson planning in the shower, chasing after her 5- and 8-year-old, or celebrity stalking on eight different forms of social media, you can find her penning her rants, ramblings, and exaggerations of the truth on her Facebook page Back Stories First.

Brothers Fight Hard and Love Harder

In: Kids, Motherhood
Two boys play outside, one lifting the other on his back

The last few years have been a whirlwind. My head has sometimes been left spinning; we have moved continents with three boys, three and under at the time. Set up home and remained sufficiently organized despite the complete chaos to ensure everyone was where they were meant to be on most days. Living in a primarily hockey town, the winters are filled with coffee catch-ups at the arena, so it was no surprise when my youngest declared his intention to play hockey like his school friends. Fully aware that he had never held a hockey stick or slapped a puck,...

Keep Reading

Stop Putting an Expiration Date on Making Memories

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother and son in small train ride

We get 12 times to play Santa (if we’re lucky). This phrase stopped my scroll on a Sunday evening. I had an idea of the direction this post was going but I continued on reading. 12 spring breaks 12 easter baskets 20 tooth fairy visits 13 first days of school 1 first date 1-2 proms 1-2 times of seeing them in their graduation cap and gown 18 summers under the same roof And so on and so on. It was essentially another post listing the number of all the monumental moments that we, Lord willing, will get to experience with our...

Keep Reading

When Your Kids Ask, “Where Is God?”

In: Faith, Kids
Child looking at sunset

How do I know if the voice I’m hearing is God’s voice? When I was in high school, I found myself asking this question. My dad was a pastor, and I was feeling called to ministry. I didn’t know if I was just hearing my dad’s wish or the call of God. I was worried I was confusing the two. It turns out, I did know. I knew because I was raised to recognize the presence of God all around me. Once I knew what God’s presence felt like, I also knew what God’s voice sounded like. There is a...

Keep Reading

Go Easy On the Parents Who Refuse to Skip Naps

In: Kids, Motherhood
Two little boys and their sister walking down a gravel road, color photo

Greetings from a mom who is done with napping children. It’s great to have the flexibility during the day for longer activities, meeting friends for playdates, or day trips to faraway places. It’s a new life . . . the life without naps. The freedom to make plans and keep them. But not that long ago, I was something very different than the flexible, plan-keeping, up-for-it woman I am today. I used to be the mom who refused to skip my child’s nap. Yep, that one. Here’s the thing, for a lot of parents, It’s so much more than just a...

Keep Reading

My Heart Isn’t Ready for You to Stop Believing in Santa

In: Kids, Motherhood
Little boy standing in front of lit christmas tree

“My friend doesn’t believe in Santa anymore, Mom,” my son said out of the blue the other day. We were driving in the car, and when I met his gaze in the rear-view mirror his eyes searched mine. Immediately, my heart sank.  This sweet boy, he’s our first. Thoughtful and smart and eight years old. A quick Google search tells me that’s the average age kids stop believing in Santa, but as his mom, I’m not ready for that—not even a little bit.  I can still hear his barely 2-year-old voice going on about reindeer as we lay together on...

Keep Reading

Motherhood is a Million Little Letting Gos and Fresh Hellos

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother sitting with child on her lap by the setting sun and water

I missed my grocery-shopping buddy the other day. Mondays are usually the days my littlest and I knock out our grocery list. In the past, we’ve dropped the kids at school and then headed to the store. I grab a latte, and she chooses a hot chocolate. But that day, they were all in school. That day, she sat in her kindergarten class, and I went to the grocery store. Alone. A new rhythm. A changed routine. A different season. I listened to a podcast on the drive. My podcast. Then I grabbed a drink. Just one. I got the...

Keep Reading

Dear Kids, This Is My Wish for You

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother hugs three kids

To my kids, The world you’re stepping into is unlike anything I experienced at your age. It’s fast-paced, interconnected, and sometimes overwhelming. But within this chaos lie countless opportunities for growth and joy. My wish for you is that you find the perfect balance between embracing the modern world and staying true to yourselves. Change is one thing you can always count on. Embrace it because it’s often the motivation for growth. Embracing change doesn’t mean letting go of who you are; rather, it’s about evolving into the best version of yourself. Remember, you don’t need to have all the...

Keep Reading

Dear Daughter, Stay Wild

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother and daughter on beach, color photo

I can’t really put my finger on it. Or manage to find all the words. But there’s just something about that girl. Maybe it’s the way her hair sits tangled. Curled up at the end. The way she moves. Dances. As if everyone was watching. Or no one at all. RELATED: There is Wild Beauty in This Spirited Child of Mine It could be the way she smiles. With her heart. The way only she can. The way she cares, loves. For everyone. For herself. You see, she is beautiful in the way only wild things are. The way they...

Keep Reading

You’re Becoming a Big Sister, But You’ll Always Be My Baby

In: Baby, Kids, Motherhood
Pregnant woman with young daughter, color photo

The anticipation of welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting and joyous time for our family. From the moment we found out we were expecting to just about every day since, the love and excitement only continue to grow. However, amidst all the preparations for the new addition, I cannot help but have mixed emotions as I look back at old videos and pictures of my firstborn, my first princess, my Phoebe—for she will always hold a special place in my heart. As the anticipation grows, my heart swells with a mix of emotions knowing we are...

Keep Reading

Cowgirls Don’t Cry Unless the Horse They Loved Is Gone

In: Grief, Kids, Loss
Little girls Toy Story Jessie costume, color photo

The knee of my pants is wet and dirty. My yellow ring lays by the sink—it’s been my favorite ring for months. I bought it to match Bigfoot’s halter and the sunflowers by his pasture. Bigfoot is my daughter’s pony, and I loved him the most. The afternoon is so sunny. His hooves make the same calming rhythm I’ve come to love as I walk him out back. A strong wind blows through the barn. A stall labeled “Bigfoot,” adorned with a sunflower, hangs open and I feel sick. I kneel down by his side as he munches the grass....

Keep Reading