Valentine's Day Care Package

Yesterday, I FINALLY finished My Marine's Valentine's Day care package!  Almost 2 weeks in the making....but it's done and ready to ship!

First, I decorated the box with this cute scrapbook paper that I got at Hobby Lobby on clearance for .53!!  (I still need to glue some pictures on the flaps before I seal it up!)

 

 

Inside the box, I added some fun stuff, along with a stuffed animal and some crafts that the girls made for Daddy.

This little bucket contains chocolate X's & O's

Then I took an old candle jar and filled it with bubble gum & Hershey kisses.  Awhile back, I had a picture of the girls and me blowing kisses.  I glued it to the jar with a little note that says, "We're Blowing You Kisses"

I also made an "ABCs of My Love For You" "book".  I found these oversized playing cards at the ARC Thrift Store for $1.50.  I covered them with scrapbook paper, added some pictures of us and things I love and miss about him/us according to the alphabet.

And the icing on the cake (or cookies!) are these "lingerie" cookies that I made for him as well.  I've seen these all over Pinterest and they seemed easy enough to make.  And while they were easy to bake, decorating was a different story.  But once I got the consistency of the icing where I needed it....it was a breeze!

Now, I just hope they don't get confiscated!  Ha!

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"1SG In A Box" Care Package

In my role as FRG Leader for our unit, I am so blessed to have an amazing Command Team that works closely with me.  And I have to say that I LOVE our unit's 1SG.....and especially his sense of humor.

With that in mind, I thought that I'd share one of my care packages with him.  I realize that there are some things that the Army will issue to him to assist him with his job.  However, there are a few things that the Army does NOT issue.....and personally, I think these are much more important!  So I put together some essential items to help him with his day-to-day duties!

Oveall picture of the box and its contents

Side Panel

Close up of items in the box

Checklist of items in box and what they are to be used for. 

In case you couldn't read the list in the picture, here's the text:

1SG Checklist: 

· Hemorrhoid Wipes:  Because some Soldiers are just a big pain in the ass

· Trash Bags, Drop Cloth & Toilet Paper:  Because working with some Soldiers is like potty-training a puppy or a toddler.  They piss everywhere when yelled at and you’re constantly needing to pick up/wipe their shit.

· Protective Eye Gear & Face Mask:  Because when some Soldiers fling you a line of bullshit, you need to protect yourself.

· Tongs & Gloves: Because NO ONE wants to touch someone’s bullshit…not ever!

· Bullshit Detector:  You know when you’re being handed a line of bullshit.  Save your vocal cords!  Don’t yell!  Just hit the Bullshit Detector and all is well!

· Nutcracker:  Every Soldier needs to have a good “nut-crackin’” just to keep them in line.

· Advil, Pepto, Heartburn Meds, Milk of Magnesia:  Because at some point, someone is either going to give you a migraine, an ulcer, heartburn, or acid reflux

· Coffee & Coffee Mug:  Because it’s a rule that every 1SG MUST drink coffee…even if it IS out of a Mickey Mouse mug

· Stress Reduction Kit:  Because no self-respecting 1SG will “reduce his stress” with yoga or Zen meditation.  A good old-fashioned head banging will just do the trick!

 

I really wish I could be there when he opens the box!!

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"Shark Week" Care Package

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! 

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"Movie In A Box" Themed Care Package

After working hard to get the Christmas care packages out the door, I was able to relax a little and start back up with the themed care packages for My Marine.

For my first care package of 2013, I decided on a "Movie In A Box" theme.

I'd been picking up some movies here and there and saving them to send.  I know he can get a lot of stuff digitally, but I still wanted to send him something fun.  Barnes & Noble was having their year-end sale and I ended up getting a bunch for close to 50-75% off!

DVDs added:

"Dukes of Hazzard" - Season 1
Robot Chicken - Star Wars version
*61
Ron White comedy DVD

and a couple more

Snacks:

Bagged popcorn and popcorn cups (from The Dollar Tree)
Junior Mints
Good & Plenties
Twizzlers
Reeses Pieces

And a cigar to enjoy while watching!

I decorated the box with popcorn scrapbook paper and movie-themed stickers.

 

 

 

I have quite a few more lined up...including our Valentine's Day box.  I've also got a very special box planned for our unit's 1SG too!  Can't wait to share that one!

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Christmas for our Soldiers and Families

As the FRG leader for our unit, I wanted to make sure that our Soldiers got a little piece of home for Christmas.

Starting in September, we had an FRG get-together where we started to make our Christmas trees.  I found these cute little wooden trees at Michael's.  We painted them and decorated them -- one for each Soldier in our unit.

The my girls and I then made little "camo Christmas tree" cards to send with each one too.

I, then, put out a call for schools, groups, etc. to send cards.  One of our spouses had her children's schools participate, as well as Nani's 2nd grade classes (4 of them) and Nudgie's preschool.  Elaine Dumler from I'm Already Home put out a call on her Facebook page and I got over 80 cards from that as well.  One of the moms, put out a call to her friends and church and we ended up with 35 individual boxes for our Soldiers too.  (My favorite was the Santa hats with "WOLFPACK" on them (our unit's name) and the prayer pillows)

For the family members, I made these Christmas ornaments.  I took clear glass balls and layered red, white and blue beads.  I, then, attached a Yellow Ribbon to the top.  (This is one that I kept for myself and hung on our tree)

I did get some pictures sent to me from the guys over there with their trees.  Unfortunately, the box that was sent to My Marine still has not been received.  I'm a little upset because 5 of my Soldiers (including my own!) did not receive a Christmas package.  I'm still holding out hope that it will be delivered....hopefully before they come home!

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Super Hero Themed Care Package

I try to get a themed care package out to My Marine at least once a week.  This week's care package was Super Hero themed.....because....well....he's our freakin' HERO!!!

I took another USPS flat rate box (LOVE USPS and their flat rate boxes!) and decorated this one with camoflauge paper and Superman stickers (Superman is My Marine's favorite Super Hero!)

 

 

This one was more for fun than anything!  I included:

• Superman gummy snacks and various Super Hero snacks & candies (including Pez dispensers!)
• Markers, coloring books, magnets, etc.
• Super Hero wet wipes & washclothes
• Various DVDs - Spiderman movie and Superman/Batman cartoons
• Marvin the Martian flash drive - I downloaded various "Hero" themed songs

And just because....here's a picture of our hero!

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Football Themed Care Package

I put together another themed care package for My Marine.  It seems the "Cookies and Milk" care package was a huge hit!  (Patting myself on the back!)  So, I started working on the next one -- football!

 

I took another flat rate USPS box, decorated it with football paper and filled it up with fun football-themed stuff:

• Football plates, cups and napkins
• Referee jersey bottle cozy
• Various football snacks (buffalo flavored, potato skin chips, etc.)
• Fun stuff - football shaped sunglasses, football hat, mini Nerf footballs
• A local sports magazines
• DVD of our sports team - the Pittsburgh Steelers
• A very liberal sprinkling of football-shaped confetti

Can't wait to hear how he likes it!!!

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Themed Care Package - Cookies & Milk

I've sent My Marine a few care packages since he's been gone...but this was our first themed care package.  I decided to send him a "Cookies and Milk" care package.....and yes, it did include milk!

I decorated the box with cookie-themed scrapbook paper.  I found some cute pictures of Cookie Monster and did a little photo-shop editing to include little personal messages.

I included some homemade Halloween-themed cookies.  (Ok, not quite homemade, but thanks to the Pillsbury Dough Boy, they are homemade in my oven!)  I added some Oreo snack packs and mini packages of Oreos as well.  They're small enough that he can throw them in his pack whenever he has to fly.  And then there's the milk.....

I picked up a 6-pack of Horizon chocolate milk single serving packages.  I know what you're thinking -- milk?  In a care package?  But the beauty of these is that due to the way in which the milk is processed, the single servings do not need to be refrigerated, which makes the options for transporting them almost limitless.  (And as a side note -- my kids LOVE them!)

Directly from the Horizon Organic website:

Single serve milks are packaged in aseptic tetrapaks and unopened will keep at room temperature up to seven months or until the date code. The milk is pasteurized using UHT or ultra-high temperature process which is similar to UP or ultra-pasteurization, in which the milk is heated to >280° F for 2-3 seconds, but packaged in a sterile environment thus extending its shelf life. The package itself is durable, lightweight, convenient for transport, and uses low energy and few materials. It is recyclable at any local program that accepts aseptic packages.

Throw in a little personal note card, some hugs & kisses, and our care package is ready to go!

Stay tuned for more fun, themed care-packages that we have planned!!!

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