The Toy Box Years: Ariel

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!!

It's Friday. The beginning of the weekend. I'm exhausted and somewhat brain-dead. I've pretty much chalked this week up to a loss and am hoping that next week will be better. So, as an end to my week, I thought I'd just share some random follies with you......

This morning as I was running some errands, I decided to stop at a couple garage sales. At the last one I stopped at, I managed to snag a Disney Princess roller bag , a Disney princess umbrella, 3 Disney princess Barbie dolls, and a Disney Princess wooden shelf with hooks, and one of those educational wooden toys for Nudgie (you know, the ones where your kid has to move the objects along this maze of wire) -- all for $13. Today I am "the bestest mommy in the world." (Sure Nani, just remember that when you're 13 and I refuse to let you wear a skirt that barely covers your tush!)

I can't figure out how to embed video yet -- but give me time! In the meantime, I wanted to share a video clip of Nani singing "Part of Your World" from the Little Mermaid when she was 3. I hope the link works for you!

Nani Sings The Little Mermaid

Friday night is usually movie night here in The Toy Box Household. After the girls are in bed, My Marine and I will dine on "pub grub" - usually wings and maybe some spinach dip - and then pick a movie to watch. I've had "Inkheart" here ever since we got back from Pittsburgh - and I'm dying to see it. Hopefully tonight will be the night.

In order to prevent another embarrassing chocolate incident like the one I posted on Not Me! Monday, I stopped by the grocery store this morning and stocked up on jars of hot fudge (2/$4 with my frequent shopper card!) I've got a jar in the fridge as we speak! I also bought a container of chocolate sprinkles and some strawberries. I figure the strawberries will balance out the chocolate, right? RIGHT???

Tomorrow I am going to try to get some scrapbooking done -- in my own home. No more classes for me! Hopefully I'll have some pages to share with you next week!

The girls are finally on the mend - not completely better, but a huge improvement from earlier in the week. Thanks to everyone who emailed their concern and well-wishes for them. I really appreciate it!

And finally, I can't imagine my life now without this blogging outlet and my new blogging buddies. I now have a place to come and share my thoughts, my pride about my children & husband, and my frustrations -- and know that I won't be judged because someone else out there has gone through the same thing. I've made so many new cyber-friends and even won a contest for the first time in my life! This is an outlet that I don't think I could live without now! Hee! Hee! So, thank you all who have befriended me. I started off with 1 follower -- and now I'm up to 32!! I couldn't be happier!

On that note -- I'm going to wish all of you a fantastic weekend and then go grab a spoonful of hot fudge!

There's some new fun out in Blogland -- It's the Blog Hop! Hosted by MckMama and Brent Riggs, it's the latest thing for visiting other blogs and see what others are doing!

Today's BlogHop theme is "A Favorite Photograph". To participate, post up one of your favorite photographs and a caption that tells us about it.

As some of you know, my Nani is obsessed with the Little Mermaid. Just about everything she owns revolves around Ariel and her happy-go-lucky underwater friends. For those who follow my posts, you know how much Nani LOVES to sing ALL the songs from the Little Mermaid -- even at the most inopportune times. (Remember the 3am serenadeI received a few weeks back?)

Well, with that obsession in mind, it is only appropriate that I share these pictures in today's BlogHop.

The first is of Nani and a mermaid. Now mind you, she does not know that this is NOT Ariel. When we were in Pittsburgh, we took Nani on a children's riverboat cruise, complete with a performance of "The Monongahela Mermaid". The story revolved around the theme of keeping the rivers clean.....a concept that really went over the heads of the 3- and 4-yr. olds who were watching the performance. All they saw was Ariel picking up a bunch of river garbage.....but hey - Nani was in heaven thinking she was seeing Ariel up close and personal. (And we're not going to tell her anything otherwise -- are we?!)

The next photo, I seriously think needs no explanation. The red scarf is courtesy of my mother (who often cleans out closets and drawers and sends me the junk that she doesn't want to throw away....)