The Toy Box Years: 2012 Kiddie Christmas Card Exchange

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!!

2012 Kiddie Christmas Card Exchange

Last year, I tried something new and set up a Christmas Card exchange for my kids. At the time, I thought if I got just a handful of participants, I would be thrilled. Little did I know! I ended up getting close to 30+ kids/families!!! I was THRILLED!! My girls were THRILLED!!

So I decided to try it again this year! And my girls are already very excited about it!

Here's how it works! The concept is very simple!

Simply respond in the comments section that you'd like to participate and please be sure to include an email address where you can be contacted. OR you can email me directly at kiddiexmascards@yahoo.com and include your children's names, ages, and address.
For every name on the list, a card will be sent. (For example....if I get six children to sign up, the list will go out to all six children and they will send a card to each child on the list.) (Make sense?) You may also combine family members. If you have two children, ONE card will be sent to both -- unless you specifically indicate that each child would like to receive/send their OWN cards.
The cards do NOT have to be hand-made. It would also be nice to include a little letter telling about themselves and where they're from.
Deadline for participating will be Friday, November 16th. The list will be emailed to everyone on Monday, November 19th. Deadline for mailing cards will be Friday, December 7th