The Boyfriend and my 29th anniversary was a month or so ago. This invitation from Mod Memento, was the inspiration for my gift to him. 

I decided to write our relationship in this storybook pattern. It's written third person and actually was quite easy to write. We have 29 years, with a lot of history, so it turned into 2 boards.  I loved doing it. Here is a copy of it.

I also wanted to try this transfer method so I put the two together. It was a lot of work and wouldn't suggest it for a first timer. But, I do love the result. And he did too. Here it is hung in our home.

 Here is a slide show with a few instructions. The play button is in the top left hand corner.

Every summer season means summer camps for our kids. It's a rite of passage, a growing up experience. And it can mean being homesick. Especially your first time away. So, I have a little tradition that I do for the kids their first time away for an extended youth camp. The night before they leave I sneak several packages, one for everyday they're gone, and hide them inside their clothing. 

You'd think that this reminder from mom might make them more homesick, make them think of home, but it doesn't. And the contents aren't really the big deal. it's the magical feeling of surprise. And being excited and looking forward to something. And knowing someone loves and misses you. 

My second to the youngest had her first week long camping trip and I put her envelopes inside her pack. I decorated the envelopes with the day she could open them. There is a downside - one of her friends told me that my daughter was so excited that she stayed awake until 12:01am so that she could open one of the packages. I laughed. I'd rather hear a camp story like that, than some of the other's I've heard before. She had a great week. I'll keep up with the tradition, one more to go.

Here's a list of what I put in this time -

     • Light-up shoelaces, found them from Gabrielle Blair's post and love them $6-ish
     • A flannel pillowcase that I sewed and stenciled her name, I sewed the pillowcase $4-ish + time
     • A small sketch book and miniature pencils, from Hobby Lobby for less than $5
     • A "miss you" puzzle, you might notice the similarities here and here $1 + time

What things might you put in? Add to my ideas for the next time.

The last of our 3 weddings is this week but I had to do a quick post. The other couple that we're married to (long story) just had their first grandchild. Definitely a time to celebrate.

A couple of months ago I ordered some baby burp cloths from Creative Mommas (my sisters) and had them sent to her. Just a little something for the Gramma-in-Waiting. New Gramma Steward loved them and now gets to use them. I was just wishing I had a reason to get some for me. Which, I just might have reason now, Shhhhhh....