Maybe you'll recall, last year my daughter had this annoying habit of harassing me about a school lunch tray and Lunchables. I sent her a healthy lunch in a pink plastic lunch box. Every day she'd negotiate with me, If I clean up my room can I have a Lunchable? Can I take a Lunchable on the Field Trip?

Only every time I sent a Lunchable she didn't eat it - because the food sucks.

Then I'd be superannoyed because they cost 3 freaking dollars. The whole point of sending a lunch is economy and health. Lunchables violates everything a lunch should be. It's the Kindergarten status symbol, don't you know?

But, then I read Jen's, Lunch Box Mania, Keyword "Mania." She wanted to cut down on disposable items like baggies. Good point. She did all the environmental and cost analysis homework for me and even told me where to buy these Faux Lunchable trays.

Target for $3 each.

How's that for peer pressure? Ainsley's status symbol is a Lunchable and mine is an economically and environmentally friendly object that will allow me to feed my kid healthy food without incessant complaining.

Please God, don't let it take her 35 years to figure out how to choose your peer pressure for your own self-preservation and best interests.

I figured I'd buy two so one could be in the dishwasher and one could be at school. Of course, I should have factored in the brother and bought 4.

I am also concerned about plastics due to the research I've been doing on early and precocious puberty.

Unfortunately, the only metal child-sized drinking options conflicted with our branding rules - High School Musical (I promised she could have High School Musical everything when she's in High School. But, it's not called 1st Grade Musical or Primary Musical), Princess and Bratz - those were my choices. So, I opted for the Dora plastic thermos with the snack compartment on the bottom until I can find a thermos without implications. (Okay, that's a good point - the lunch box is also plastic.)

As you saw in the video, the Baked Cheetos are going to buy me a lot of peace, I think. Last year I was probably too strict on her lunch snacks. This was daddy's brilliant idea. It's only 100 calories. We bought the bulk box for $8.95 at Sams Club and there are 30 packages.

That's 6 weeks of family harmony and peace - what a bargain.

Empowering Girls: Lunchables

Potty Dance and YouTube Peer Pressure

Empowering Girls: Girls-Only Public School

Empowering Girls: Early Puberty

Precocious Puberty

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

Go Bratz Go!

Dear Friends and Family,

I know you love Ainsley and so I sold your names, addresses, email addresses, phone and cell numbers to solicitors for a school fund raiser.

They gave the school 50 cents for each family member or friend I sold out.

Gotta support our schools. I knew you'd understand.

Love, Tracee

(I'm only kidding. I would never, ever do this to you and you better not do it to me.)

Hi Mom. Don't you want to buy some Dollar Store crap for $15 for Ainsley's school? They'll give Ainsley a 25 cent pencil if you buy $50 worth.

Mom, can I feed a real tiger and get my picture made, it's a fund raiser for school?

How much?

$18.

No.

waaaa waaaa waaa! I WANT TO FEED THE BABY TIGER WITH A BOTTLE!

Daddy will photoshop one for you. (see above pic)

Please can't we buy the cereal with a Box Top?

Ainsley, I'm not changing cereal for Box Tops.

I have to bring the paper back by Thursday with 10 Box Tops on it.

I'll paper clip $1 to the note.

No, that's cheating! You have to put Box Tops on it or they won't give me a prize!

Grandma don't you want to pay $5 more for the Family Home Journal. It's a fundraiser for Ainsley's school.

No.

Dear Primary School: Thanks for all the family harmony over the fundraisers this year. It's been real.