When I have kids in “school” I pick them up and bring them home–no bus service–so I like to have snack on the table when they come home.  If it is a year that I am homeschooling than we usually end our day with a snack and tea or juice from our juicer!

These are my top ten after school snacks:

1. Leftovers from their lunch box!
2. Veggies and Dip
3. Apples and yogurt or another dip they like
4. Pretzels with either mustard or chocolate dipped
5. Cheese and crackers–I use cookie cutters to make flowers with the cheese–too cute–sometimes I even put a raisin in the middle of the flower!
6. Celery and cream cheese
7. Build your own nachos
8. Mini cheese tortillas
9. Muffins (just out of the oven before I go and pick them up)
10. Cookies and milk!

I find that the kids like to do a little “food network” and build their own things as much as when I have it ready, so I like to mix it up a little bit.

If I have a later dinner because of practice or other commitments I start the crock pot at 3 for dinners to be ready at 7. 

TIP:  I also set the table before I leave.  When I come home I just need to plop the crock pot on the table, and by the time everyone is finished washing their hands dinner is ready!