Veg is always tricky here. Fruit she'll eat until it comes out of her ears. Anything leafy apart from little gem lettuce is a no go, she likes fresh peas and carrots because she's griwn them and fresh corn, roasted root veg she loves because they're sweet and sometimes peppers but its a case of hiding everything else:)

I'd be chuffed to bits if I could sit down to anything on that menu without lifting a finger.

Chloe's are actually pretty good, they don't change very often tho so this two year old photo of her menu http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uHXNeHl6PG8/S5vVcUWRauI... is still a good example of what's on offer. There isn't a salad bar in school but they have fresh fruit options and with dessert often being puddingy or icy affairs chloe often takes grapes or pineapple or whatever instead. She eats all the veg on her plate so long as its fresh so it means I can bulk her snack with toms or carrot sticks if I see peas or sweetcorn on the menu (almost always frozen) or "mixed" veg (canned).

Timewise they're left to their own devices and told they can go outside as soon as they're finished so I know she's bound to be bolting her food a couple of times a week just to get out in the sun.

I don't pay for her lunches at the minute because of tax credits but they're normally £2.30 (about $3.60) so a bit pricey over a whole week or month but ok for the days when her favs are on.

I'll have to try this. I always use lotion bars now just because they're quicker and less messy to be getting on with in the morning, but they're one of those things I always just assumed to faffy to make and easier to buy but I think i can manage a bit of melt and pour:)

I'm completely blinkered as far as mess is concerned, I just don't see it:)

Oh get you all tidy and organised:) I'm just keeping my head down and pretending it's not there at the minute. You should see the mountain of paperwork in the corner that needs to be sorted out. Next week ... maybe.