Preschool Gear: Refashioned Lunch Bag

Today is the first day of preschool... Anastasia needed a lunch bag. I had a few ideas, as usual. This is what I came up with. I had thought of using oil cloth, but oil cloth is really just vinyl these days and I'm not too hip to encasing my kid's food in plastic. I ended up using an old pair of jeans and pajama shorts that were sitting in the donate box and am happy that I can throw this in the wash rather than just wipe it out.

You can see the jean pockets inside are going to be useful for holding ice packs, silverware, napkins, notes from mom (well, that will have to wait until she can read), etc. I also stitched a piece of elastic on one side to hold her awesome new Green Sprouts Stainless Steel Bottle - 12 oz. I think the zipper is what I am most proud of--my first one! In hindsight, I wish the zipper was longer. Anastasia's teachers suggested that, too, when they asked if I could make bags for them!

Next month, I will be back at work and she will be taking naps at preschool before I am able to come pick her up. So, a new blanket was requested and is in the works. Stay tuned...