The Toy Box Years: Random Thoughts

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!!

On Thursday, I picked up Nani from school. She stayed the extra hour for lunch bunch. Her teacher told me that she was giggly all morning long -- in a good way. So, we're walking to the car and I asked her about her day. Just as casual as can be, she says....

"Mommy -- I laughed so hard at Nathaniel that I peed in my guchies a little ("guchies" is Croatian for underwear).

I stopped walking and bust out laughing. She started giggling again. I asked her if she told her teacher and she said no....it wasn't a lot and it dried real fast. But that Nathaniel is so funny! I told him not to make me pee again!

THIS is why I blog, people!!

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There is a reason I don't let my 5-yr. old cut my hair -- 'Nuff said.

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You gotta love Colorado weather. Wednesday we had thunderstorms and tornadoe. Thursday, we had thunderstorms, hail and snow. Friday, we had rain and snow. Saturday, we had rain and sunshine. Sunday, we had sunshine, rain, and late last night turned into snow. This morning, I woke up to snow on the ground.

It's supposed to be 70 on Wednesday!

Gotta love it!
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I don't want to be accused of being a Blog Snob....but you know what really bugs me? When I get a comment from someone -- usually one of those Friday Follow blog hops -- and it's such a nice comment, but then I see the SAME EXACT COMMENT on just about every other blog I visit. Gee -- way to make me feel special!

I'm sorry, but when I visit blogs, I usually READ the post first and try to find something specific to comment about -- so at least you'll know I took the time to read and comment. The only thing you'll find the same in my comments is if I'll write "Visiting you from......" or "Have a nice day/weekend"

So, if that makes me a Blog Snob -- then so be it! Just know you'll NEVER get a canned/copy and paste response from me!

Have a great week everyone!!

6 comments:

Anonymous April 26, 2010 at 6:32 AM: Wow Jennifer, such a snob ;) I just love the first little story... you'll have to save that one for when she's older, she'll love it!
Ioana April 26, 2010 at 9:52 AM: yup, i hear ya!
i too once got a comment on my blog and it kind of made my day, not that my day is made by what people say, but you know...
and then, later, the same person stopped by to my blog again, and gave me the EXACT same comment. she must have forgotten that she has been there before. :|:|
anyways.

:) Nani is a sweetheart:) 'nuff said:)
One Photo April 26, 2010 at 1:38 PM: Love the first little story. If you are a blog snob then I am definitely one too - I HATE when someone stops by and writes under your latest post something along the lines of "Hi there, stopping by from XYZ, come check me out at www.mommydoesn'treadpostsorevercomebackandvisitagain - clearly not having read your post or checked out your blog, then never stops by ever again!
Jenny April 26, 2010 at 4:54 PM: You crack me up! Have a great week! :)
Truthful Mommy April 26, 2010 at 10:40 PM: OMG...I think I just peed myself a little from your story about Nani! That is precious! I love the things that come out of kids mouths. My girls keep me in stitches.Thanks fro the belly laugh!
Debi (Truthful Mommy)
Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com April 29, 2010 at 4:11 PM: That happened to me a few weeks ago! I was like, awww, that person wrote such a nice comment. And then uhhh, she wrote the same thing on my friend's blog! Oh no she didn't!