The Toy Box Years: Tot School

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!!

(Nudgie is 30 months old) (To see what others are doing at Tot School, click on the "Tot School" above!) **************************************

This past week was a bit of a lighter week. I'm still in reorganization and crafting mode, so we spent a lot of time this week coloring, playing, tickling, and watching the Muppets! I haven't changed her trays out yet either, with the exception of her sensory tub.

My camera was also acting up this week, so I don't have too many pictures to share this week. But I did manage to get a few!

New sensory tub. I found some heart-shaped rice at JoAnn's on clearance so I bought two bags. I dyed one bag red and left the other white. So far it's been a HUGE hit! Now if I can just keep Nudgie and Zoja from eating the rice, we'd be in good shape!

Valentine-Themed Sensory Tub

Making "cookies"

Eating her favorite - bagels!

One afternoon during Quiet Time, Nani made created her own book with just pictures and Sesame Street characters. The story changes every time we read it, which I love. Here - Nani's telling Nudgie a story from her book.

Coloring together

Whatcha coloring? Can I see?

Such concentration! I'm amazed at how well she's staying within the lines now!

****************************************************

Hope everyone has a great week!

6 comments:

Anonymous February 13, 2011 at 11:26 AM: The sensory tub is super cute. They're adorable!
Petula February 13, 2011 at 8:28 PM: Looks like a wonderful learning week!
Madonna February 13, 2011 at 9:19 PM: Heart shape rice! If only I knew I could get heart shape rice. How fun is that!
April February 13, 2011 at 9:54 PM: Cute sensory tub, we did a similar one last year of Valentine's Days.

Love your girls' cute braids :)
Goat Gal February 14, 2011 at 10:46 AM: Great sensory tub! Also love the easel. What a cool way for kiddos to color together.
Personalized Sketches and Sentiments February 16, 2011 at 11:19 AM: So cute! I love their braids! And the photo of them reading together... Heart shaped rice?? How neat!

Blessings & Aloha!