Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween to MY Secret Pal and to the rest of you in th June 2006 Secret Pal Swap. I received a really cute halloween card from my pal today. At first I thought it was from my neighbor because the return address was on my street. Then I opened it (it was PUMPKINS) and saw it was signed by my Secret Pal. It finally dawned on me, I'm a bit slow today, that the return address was MY ADDRESS......... JoAnne

Thanks again SP; you are the best~

Thank you sooo much SP....you really are the best. I absolutely LOVE the Pumpkin Spice candle. It smells sooo great. I have it on the desk and can smell it without burning it. Imagine how great it will smell when I light it :)

In addition to the great candle I received 2 packages of yummy candy; candy corn and the "new" Hershey peanut butter kisses. Yummm That bag will not stay sealed for long.

You're the best!! Happy Halloween to you and everyone else too ~

Michele

(i am having trouble with the pic right now...I will try again later.)

Finally....Pictures of my Secret Pal Gifts

Happy Monday everyone. Hope you all had a great weekend. I finally have pictures to post of my wonderful gifts from my Secret Pal. Never done this before so hope it works.

Thanks JoAnne for the instructions :)

Cynthia

Thanks Secret Pal !!

Secret Pal,

While out raking leaves this morning, the postman came with a big box. Of course, that was it for the leaves, I had to run inside and open the box! First I found the card... it is so perfect and so wonderful that it was made with such care! Then, what a wonderful box of surprises... an adorable outfit with a cute critter peeking out of the pocket and a matching hat, the puppets (how fun!), the candle that smells so good, the frosty bear, the washcloths, and books with a spot to add a photo (that then peeks out through the pages. The books made me misty... I can't wait to have a picture of my so anticipated little daughter and picturing the photos in the books brings the dream even more to life! Thank you so much for the very thoughful gifts!! You are wonderful!

Thanks again,
Diane

Thank you so much, dear Secret Pal!

Dear Secret Pal,

Your gift couldn't have arrived at a more perfect time! After a long 12 hour day, I came home only to find your delightful present! You certainly know how to make a girl's day!!

The scrapbook pages are just perfect and talk about making it easy... I love love love them... the 3-d add-ons are very cool and I can't wait for Halloween and Thanksgiving to be over, so I can load my pictures on them.

With a 3 year old at home, our lives are pretty full so I very much appreciate the kindness and the thoughtfulness of anything that is easy. That fact that it is way cute is certainly an added bonus. Thanks again, dear secret pal - you are the best!

Hugs,

Patti

Happy October!

I received my Secret Pal gift on Saturday! What a nice way to end the week! The card that was sent with everything couldn't have been more perfect, and made me tear up a little. It matched the dream I had earlier in the week that I posted on the yahoo site. This may have just been coincidental or a perfect plan, no matter as I took it as another reinforcing "sign" of good things to come. Thank you so much for helping to keep my dream alive!

I adore everything in my package, and can't wait to fill the photo book to send off to the orphanage or foster home once we get our referrals. The Baby Einstein Lullaby CD hasn't been listened to yet, as once again I'm afraid I'll get too emotional once it fills my heart. I love it though! The toys are great too, and some will likely be making the trip with us.

Thank you again for your thoughtful and meaningful gifts! Happy October to you too!

Susan

Thanks Melissa's SP for the Halloween surprise!

We just received a Halloween package in the mail from our SP. Inside was a cute card, the cutest green socks that read "Little Pumpkin",an adorable Halloween shirt (which by the way is Darby's first piece of clothing), and a bag of Hershey's Mini's candy bars. Katie thought the socks were funny and my nickname for Katie has always been "Pumpkin". I wanted to post a picture so everyone can see what a great SP we have. Note, the candy bars are in the fridge though because it's about 90 degrees today here in FL and they need to turn back into a solid so we can eat them. YUMMY!

Thanks again SP. You made our day great!

A Halloween Thank You to My SP

The other day I received a really cute Halloween card from my SP. Last night when I got home there was another box sitting at my front door. It cheered me right up since I had just got home from a really long (2 1/2 hours) homeowners board meeting. When I opened the box, there were not 1, not 2 but 3 bags of Halloween Candy!!! There was a bag of peanut butter kisses, gummy candy body parts and black and orange whoppers (malted milk balls.) My sweet tooth went into over drive. I held off opening the kisses because I knew they would be gone in an hour (yes I have NO will power). I did open the whoppers and proceeded to sample them. What a great way to end a very long and tiring day.
It is so nice to see everyone post pictures. I decided it was about time I did to. This morning I took pictures of all my SP gifts but sicne I don't have a digital camera (yet), I have to get them developed first. Hopefully by early next week I will post pictures of all the wonderful gifts I have received.
Thanks again to my wonderful SP for the Halloween candy. You made my day.
Have a great Thursday everyone.
Cynthia

I finally have my photos ready to post.....

Yea! I finally have them ready. Thank you so much to my Secret Pal for all of my neat October treats!
The Corpse Bride was a wonderful surprise! Wendy and I love our socks, and the little bear has gone places with Wendy in her little Dora Backpack. Thank you for absolutely everything. Mylie's Bib is so adorable!
Lesa

Thanks SP ...

You are the BEST.

Today is a dreary rainy day here in NJ...I was so tired but as soon as I got home and found my package I perked up!!! The onesie is great. It says it all "dreamer". We all have dreams that we hope to fulfill. Not only did my SP send the onesie for Addison(yes, we finally decided on a name) but I also received a gift. A Barnes & Noble gift card. Wahoo! I can get another book...I do love to read.

Thanks so much SP...you are great.

Michele Mc

My Octobers Secret Pal Gift(s) are GREAT!!!

I had a pretty typical "Monday" and was thrilled to come home to a big box with "your secret pal" on the return address. I of course dropped my purse, gave the dogs a hug, and began opening my box. I first opened the gift bag with a sweet card addressed to me and my soon to be daughter Danielle. In it was a beautiful ocean scented candle, flip flop note pad, and flip flop magnets. She new that the babies room and most of my house is decorated in a beach theme. Then I opened a great nursery rhyme book that has a CD!! I never saw that before. The last (but certainly not least) box was a cool set of stacking cubes with objects in them. They stack with comb like grippers. They are great. Check out the photo that Michele graciously helped me post. Thanks Michele you are a live saver. AND, Thanks secret pal!!! You did great! I love it all. You know just what my taste and preferences are.
JoAnne

GWCA JUNE 2006 SECRET PAL SWAP

GWCA JUNE 2006 SECRET PAL SWAP
I received the neatest surprise from my Secret Pal this month! First of all, the brown wrapper on the package was "custom-decorated" with hand drawn ladybugs and Halloween stamps! I plan on saving a portion of the paper for my daughter's scrapbook. Inside were 2 baby bibs, a one-piece outfit with a piece of candy and the word "SWEET" on it, a little pair of socks, a black cat Halloween figurine, and a Moon Cake! There were also some plastic eating utensils wrapped in a Chinese packaging, from a festival? This is so much fun!! Thanks, Secret Pal!!

Mary

I am so sorry...

that I have the BEST Secret Pal! he he he. I arrived home today to find some great goodies. In the box I found an adorable light green one piece outfit, a package of yellow and green washcloths, a Halloween pin and the softest ever yellow blanket with a candy corn on it! I love candy corns! The outfit is precious - with a teddy bear applique in the pocket and he is wishing upon a star. You are so thoughtful. Every gift is obviously chosen very carefully and your cards are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for making my day! Lynn

I received my SP Package and my Brown Envelope !!

The postman calls again....this time with three boxes, and our mail with the BROWN ENVELOPE!!!
One of the boxes was for Mike, one for Wendy from her Crib Mate, and my SP Package!
What a record day!
Inside my package was a Halloween gift bag. Inside the bag was a pair of fall socks for Wendy and the softest pair of socks for me! Wendy also got a little Halloween Bear holding a Pumpkin. A "My 1st Halloween" bib for Mylie. Then I pulled out two packs of Orville Redenbacher Pop Corn! "What on earth", I said. Then I pulled out a DVD of the Corpse Bride! Oh My Gosh! We don't have that one!!!! How exciting!
We sat down and watched it last night. Mike loves anything by Tim Burton; so does everyone else. Holly and Lacy went to the Theater when it was out.
Our family just loves HALLOWEEN! We started watching all of our Halloween movies at the end of September. I miss getting to see Sleepy Hallow and a couple of others that aren't Toddler friendly. Even though I don't like Blood and Guts types movies I do like Thrillers. Holly and I usually watch those types together and I miss my scary movie buddy. Here lately I try to watch some of those types while Wendy is either in Preschool or taking her afternoon nap. Luckily we have many that Wendy can watch with us.
Thank you Secret Pal! I can't wait to meet you.
Again, our disc is new so I will post a photo as soon as I can. It won't be long with how we take pictures around here.
I almost forgot....I also recieved a card for the Moon Festival from my SP all in the same day!!!
Your Pal,
Lesa

Thank you Cynthia's Secret Pal

Another surprise waited for me when I got home Friday night from work. I loved ending my week this way!!! My secret pal is so thoughtful and sends the best gifts. Taylor got her first outfit - a pretty pink velor Care Bears 2 piece outfit with a shirt to match. It is so cute. The books are great and I will enjoy reading them to her. You are right...every child should have music and the music toy is the perfect thing. The gifts for mommy were delicious. They didn't last long in my house. My favorite - peanut butter cup was my appetizer and the chocolate chip cake was my dessert. Now I know why I have stayed away from that aisle in the grocery store....quick and delicious.
Thank you sooooooo much for being so thougthful. The gifts made my day. Everything is wonderful :)
Have a great day!!
Cynthia

I finally have photos of my package...

Thank you again Secret Pal. I thought you might like seeing what you sent posted. I wanted everyone else to see what a special pal I have.
Lesa

Thanks to my secret pal

Thank you so much for the yummy smelling candles you sent for my birthday. I can't wait to use them! It was very thoughtful of you.

Melissa

Thanks Melissa's secret pal

I came home from work today and my daughter Katie went to check the mail and came back in with a package addressed to her. She was so excited to get a present from my secret pal. She just celebrated her 13th birthday and my secret pal (well I guess "our" secret pal) sent her the cutest journal. She loves to write and draw and was thrilled beyond belief. Thank you so much secret pal for being so thoughful. You made her day.

Melissa

From Katie:
Thank you so much for the journal, I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of it! Thanks for thinking of me.
Katie

My SP is so thoughtful and wonderful!!!!!

To my Secret Pal,

I can not put into words just how thoughtful your latest gift is. (for everyone else - she mailed me the book "We See the Moon" - by Carrie A. Kitze) You really went to a lot of trouble to run out, find me this book and express mail it to me so that I would have it before Friday - The Moon Festival. You are truly the best!!! I go home for lunch everyday to let the dogs out and to get the mail. :) I was so surprised to find a cute bug mailer in the mail box. I was even more surprised that it was from my GW SP. After letting the dogs out I sat down and read the book. I read it with tears in my eyes because of the beautiful and touching story, the amazing art work and how lucky I am to have you as my secret pal. So many things and emotions have fallen into place for me since we made the decision to adopt - but there are still moments like this when I know my life will change every day for the better because of this decision. You have truly touched my heart by your generosity and ability to know what I think and feel about the adoption and China. I really, really hope that we will be traveling to China together to pick up our babies because I really want to be able to spend time with such a wonderful person and introduce you to my daughter. I think we are going to have a wonderful group of travel mates. I can't wait. Plus, I think after we have our babies we will have to find a way to spend a Moon Festival together.

I can't take a picture of the cute mailer or book because my camera just landed in India 30 minutes ago.

Again - thank you, thank you, thank you.
I know this book will be one of my favorites too!
Sherry

Thank you !!

Thank you so much to my secret pal. I was thrilled to come home to a package "hidden" under (or at least under...lol) my mat. I absolutely love everything! The very, very soft Sweet Dreams bear is so adorable! I love the "mommy's little girl" bib and soft cuddly booties too. I'm always touching everything to see how soft it is... these booties are incredible! You made my day. Thank you very much!!

Diane

Thank You Secret Pal!

A special thank you to my Secret Pal. The package came on Saturday while I was out running errands. When I returned my husband said IT CAME as I pulled into the driveway! I wasn't sure what he was referring to, due to all my recent on line and eBay shopping, so I asked what came. I think he's jealous he doesn't have a secret pal. He came in from the yard to see what had arrived. There it was, wrapped so nicely, my first baby gift and my first Secret Pal gift. I absolutely love the board books, especially the finger puppet one. I'm at home today, but will add a photo to this post when I get into the office tomorrow. The books have been added to her bookshelf in her bedroom, and are helping to make this seem all the more real with each passing day. Thank you so much Secret Pal! I look forward to being able to meet you some day in the not so far off future!

Susan

A Big Thank You to My Secret Pal

I am finally back on-line and wanted to thank my secret pal for my wonderful gifts. They came just as I was getting ready to leave for vacation and unfortunately I didn't have access to the sites to say thank you until now. I had a friend post a message to the Yahoo group but it got posted to the wrong group.
I love my gifts!!!! I was so excited to get the box when I got home. I didn't even take off my coat before opening it. The ladybug scrunchy/sponge holder is adorable. It is sitting next to my kitchen sink just waiting for me to wash some dishes. It is so cute!!!!
The ladybug blanked is just perfect. It is so soft. Everytime I go to the store and look at blankets I have to feel them for softness. This one takes the prize. I will get lots of use out of it. I might even take it to China with me!!!
The journal is just perfect. I am not much for woriting down thoughts but I am a big list person. I will use it for everything adoption related going forward....track dates, keep a record of my secret pal gifts, writing down things I want to get as I look through the stores. It will definately keep me organized as I plan for the big trip to China. I can't wait to start my first entry this week.
I really like doing the secret pals. I have been having fun buying for my secret pal and I love receiving things from my secret pal. It will make our wait go by faster.
Thanks again for everything secret pal. I love all my gifts. They will get lots of use and when using them, I will think of my secret pal.
Have a great day!!!!
Cynthia