The Toy Box Years: My Blog Birthday!

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

I have interrupted my regularly scheduled blogging to share some big news with you all! I'm going to be ONE! My blog that is -- not me. But there are some days that I wish that I was one again -- don't get me wrong.

But nope - it's my blog that will be a year old on May 1st! One year ago that I jumped on the blogging bandwagon and haven't looked back!

So, to celebrate my Blogging Birthday I'm going to be doing some fun things, having some great giveaways and adding some new features all throughout the month of May!

Some of my giveaways will include:

A Disney Princess mega-gift pack
Crystal martini glasses
A handmade, crocheted baby blanket
A handmade "Baby" scrapbook
Books, books, and more books
Home decor
Scrapbook supplies

and much, much more!!

Also starting on May 1st, I'm going to introduce a new feature called "My Blogger Buddy". This is where I will select one follower a week to be my Blogger Buddy. There will be fun interview questions and a chance for me to share with you some of the fantastic blogging buddies I've made over the year!

The month of celebration will end with an interview with me and a grand prize which will be a $50 Gift Card to Starbucks. This will be your chance to ask me questions and for every question asked, you will be entered to win a gift card from Starbucks! So put on your thinking caps and start thinking of some questions!

I hope that on May 1st, you'll all come by for some party hats and cake and help me celebrate my One-Year Blogging Birthday!

Stay tuned for more details!

12 comments:

Unknown April 15, 2010 at 5:11 AM: Happy Blog Birthday to You!
Anonymous April 15, 2010 at 5:34 AM: Happy Blog Birthday, I would love to be your Blog Buddy! It would be a chance for ME to get to know YOU!! :)
Erin @ Closing Time April 15, 2010 at 6:06 AM: Happy Blog Birthday! Isn't that a fun milestone? :)
Gen April 15, 2010 at 6:46 AM: happy "blirthday" to you! yeah, i just made it up! ;) i'd love to donate something for your giveaway...visit my etsy shop, and let me know what ya think k? www.etsy.com/shop/gensgifts

ooo, can we make a cake to celebrate? i love me some cake!
Christy Killoran April 15, 2010 at 7:32 AM: How fun! Happy Blog Birthday!
One Photo April 15, 2010 at 7:59 AM: Happy Blog Birthday! Can't wait to join in all the fun as you celebrate!
liz April 15, 2010 at 9:31 AM: Happy Birthday and awesome cake! :)
Cindy April 15, 2010 at 4:10 PM: Exciting! Sounds like you have great things planned!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Valerie @ Inner Child Fun April 15, 2010 at 9:32 PM: How exciting!! Congrats on your blogiversary!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some noisemakers..... and where did I put that disco ball? Hmmm...
Anonymous April 16, 2010 at 4:15 AM: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ioana April 16, 2010 at 7:37 AM: oh, I can't wait for your birthday:) and the giveaways. i hope I'll win this time. I hope I win the scrapbook related stuff:)
Vanessa April 16, 2010 at 10:12 AM: Sounds like fun! Happy Birthday!