The Toy Box Years: Halloween

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!!

Don't Forget To Sign Your Kiddos Up For The

2011 Kiddie Christmas Card Exchange!

To sign up, click HERE

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My Marine is out of town for a conference this week. Orlando, no less. Noooooo....they couldn't schedule this conference for LAST week when Nani was on fall break and we could have gone with him. (No, I'm not bitter at all.......)

Deep breath.......

So, while he was gone, he did miss Halloween and our sweet baby girls in their adorable costumes. I had one Abby Cadaby and one Barbie Fairy Princess. (Both costumes under $20 thanks to the local thrift stores!)

My good friend Robin invited us over for wings and make-your-own pizzas. I was so grateful because I really wasn't looking forward to taking the girls trick-or-treating by myself. So we went over and had a blast! The girls had a great time and ~~mommy~~ they got some awesome loot!