Thank you Cordelia and Samuel

This past summer Tay and I participated in the Little People on the Road Swap hosted by Meg and Mag. Our partners for this swap was Cordelia and Samuel. They are from California but if I'm not mistaken they now live in Spain. It was a fun swap. Tay and I enjoyed putting ours together but she especially enjoyed receiving her treats.

Her package consisted of a photo album with Samuel's summer adventures with his traveling buddy, Owlie, a box of Granola, a Flower Press kit, some Bento items that Cordelia got from one of her favorite stores in Berkeley, and Tay's favorite, a sketch book and color pencils.
Here's Tay with Owlie. At first she was having a hard time saying "Owlie" so she gave it another name which I can't remember what it was right this moment, but eventually calling it "Owlie" again because that was his first name. She carried him around for days.
The photo album that chronicled Samuel's and "Owlie's" adventures. Samuel went to a Science camp, they took a trip to Canada, and spent a good part of the summer with his Grandmom in Berkeley, CA. All before he and Cordelia left for Spain to live for a year.
Tay loves to draw. Imagine her excitement when she saw this in her swap package. She has dubbed this her "special" sketch pad and color pencils. No one but her is allowed to use it, although she has drawn a good many pictures for the refrigerator.

Thank you Cordelia and Samuel for the wonderful gifts. I hope you are both enjoying Spain.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is not a swap, but is sort of along the same lines, only the package you prepare will go to a child in need in a third world or war torn country. It is a fun way to teach your children about giving to others. My son and I have done it in the past and even though he was pretty young (he was 3 the last time we did one two years ago), he seemed to get the concept of giving to another child who didn't have all the great toys and games that he has.

You can pick the gender and age range of the child you are preparing a box for, and even include a personal note and pictures of your family if you wish. You should be aware that the organization that sponsors this outreach program, Samaritan's Purse, is a religious organization and christian books and/or tracts will be added to your package before it is distributed.

Guidelines & Suggestions for Operation Christmas Child Packages

How to Find a Drop-off Location Near You

Samaritan's Purse asks that you include a check for $7.00 with each box to help cover the shipping costs.

If you decide to particpate, please feel free to post photos of your packages here on the swap blog and let us know what your family thought of the experience.

And the winner is...

Jill!!!! Congratulations!!!! Jill will receive a $50.00 gift card courtesy of Box Tops for Education. She can use it at one of over 50 stores that participate in the Box Tops Marketplace (Barnes&Noble, Kohl's, Target and Shutterfly to name a few). Plus a percentage of her purchase will go to the school of her choice! Thanks to Boxs Tops for Education, as well as one last thanks to everyone who participated in the Little People on the Road Swap!