The Toy Box Years: Getting Ready for Deployment

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!!

The girls understand that daddy has to go away again -- this time for a long time. While Nudgie still doesn't quite grasp the concept of time, Nani is definitely understanding what's going on -- telling anyone who listens that her daddy has to go away for 365 days.

A lot is going to happen in that time - 2nd grade, preschool, ballet recitals, etc. To help the girls remember some of those special moments, I wanted to make something special so that the girls could share those memories with their daddy. Something different than a scrapbook.

So, after ~~stalking~~ browsing Pinterest, I got a great idea.

I found this AWESOME box at Goodwill for $1.99. It was meant to be as the box has two sides - one for Nani and one for Nudgie. I picked up some felt letters and stickers at JoAnn's and Michael's and one night put together our "While You Were Away" box.

I also picked up some red, white, and blue construction paper and we'll cut out paper hearts for them to write on. Anytime one of them has a special event or just want to share a good day with daddy, we'll write them on the hearts and put it in their side of the box. They can also add pictures, souveniers, etc. -- anything they want to share with daddy.

When My Marine gets home, we'll sit down over a couple of nights and go through the box -- and share those memories with daddy!

4 comments:

MaryAnne May 24, 2012 at 6:17 AM: I love this idea!
Becca May 24, 2012 at 7:34 AM: This is such an awesome idea! I love it for both kids and adults :) I am not a scrapbooker at ALL, and I like how you can just leave this out where everyone can see it and add to it. Perfect. On that note, we are sending prayers your way for a safe return and much appreciation for your sacrifices.
Beth May 27, 2012 at 6:16 PM: great idea. I agree. It's ideal for the nonscrapper, like me! :D Keeping you in my prayers.
Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads August 6, 2012 at 9:35 AM: I love that! It looks fantastic and what fun y'all will have going through things when he gets back home. :)