The Toy Box Years: Thanksgiving Crafts

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!!

As a little wrap up to our Thanksgiving crafts, I just wanted to share a few photos of what we made over the past month!

I made this turkey to send to my niece for Thanksgiving along with a turkey book. The feathers are removeable and match the button colors. My brother-in-law says that my niece just loves it - which makes me happy!

The girls coloring wooden Thanksgiving pilgrims the day before Thanksgiving

Recycled bud vase filled with decorative stones. The feathers were made out of the sturdier felt and had feathers glued on. The face, feet, and hat were made with regular felt.

The day before Thanksgiving was Grandparents Day at Nani's school. Since her grandparents live in different states, I took Nudgie with me to visit Nani in her classroom. We helped to make handprint turkeys. We didn't have enough time for Nudgie to make one, so I just cut out a couple feathers for her and let her color and glue the face and feet on. We're convinced that Nani is the reincarnation of Picasso - especially if you saw her last craft