The Toy Box Years: "Shark Week" Care Package

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!!

My Marine loves sharks.

Oh heck....love is an understatement. I can't even begin to find the words to describe how much the man loves anything sharks.

I had just sent out his "Movie-Themed Care Package" and needed to come up with an idea for yet another care package. When I was shopping at our local Sprouts Market, I saw a package of gummy sharks, and it hit me!

Shark Week!

I was so excited to get this going!

Hobby Lobby had some toy sharks in their clearance section so I bought those. I also ordered a little Beanie Baby shark and inflatable shark on Amazon. I got 2 containers of the gummy sharks and a couple bags of Goldfish crackers.

And what Shark Week isn't complete without a viewing of sharks mauling and eating various living beings? So I also picked up some DVDs too!

I decorated the box with water-themed paper and printed out some shark stuff for the girls to color.

The only thing I wish I could do is have the Jaws theme play when he opens the box.....but I think that would raise a red flag with the USPS customs!

I seriously don't know what I'm going to do when My Marine comes home! All these ideas and no one to send them to!