Very, very soon after Todd and I got married, his mother sent over a box of his stuff. (I think she was incredibly excited to pass along these relished keepsakes to another victim I mean woman in his life.)
Todd might deny this, but here are the contents of this box:
- a high school letter jacket for…wait for it…swing choir. (Actually, he may not deny this. He continues to maintain against that swing choir was what the “cool kids” did. Hmmm….)
- a collection of at least 875 “valuable” key chains
- a fuzzy, extremely-worn bunny puppet. His blankee. Everyone say it together: Awwwwww.
I put out the bunny on the bed so he could sleep with it. I know he was tempted, but he resisted.
Since Todd is not here to defend himself, I will go ahead and tell you that my eighth-grade school picture well overreaches any amount of embarrassment of Todd’s swing choir jacket. So there.
Truly, it’s adorable…little kids and their “lovies.” (I always thought that was a weird-sounding name, but I think that’s the current terminology.) One of the most hilarious blogs I ever wrote was about Sam and his Samule.
Someday I’ll write an equally entertaining piece about Ty and his “bay.” {blanket}
This absolutely adorable little blanket, pictured above, is made by Sandi at Little Bits. After a friend generously gave me a blanket and bib combo set for my firstborn, I fell in love with these little gifts!
Since then, I’ve given them to at least a dozen friends. It is my go-to shower gift. Here are some of the cousins with their “little bits.”
Could they be any cuter?
Now, here is the best part.
This wonderful woman donates all proceeds to her missionary daughter.
Here’s how her website puts it:
What is Little Bits? Little Bits was created in 2006 as a way for Sandi {Carisa’s mom} to raise money for our family’s mission work. We are full time missionaries in the inner city and have been for over 6 years. We live and serve in one of America’s toughest neighborhoods. ALL profits, yes ALL, come directly into our ministry account. Sandi donates it all to us…this is her calling and her mission work. We are so grateful for her service to us and mostly to the Lord!
How cool is that?
All gifts come with a small brochure that explains the business, so your recipient understands where it came from.
Sandi has been super-generous and donated some of her beautiful items to giveaway on the blog! I’m so excited to share them.
This new green-brown (gender-neutral) tiny-bits blankee and itty bitty ball are FREE to one Smartter Each Day reader ($36 value)! What a beautiful Christmas gift this will make, with a great story to go with!
To enter,
- If you haven’t already, click on the right to “like on facebook.” If you don’t use facebook, you can instead “follow blog via email.”
- Comment below on a favorite stuffed animal you had as a child. Come on, we’re all friends. Don’t be shy! 🙂
I’ll randomly choose one winner. Giveaway ends Wednesday, December 5 and 8:00pm. Good luck!
And as you plan your Christmas gifts, please keep Little Bits in mind!
Follow "Smartter" Each Day on Facebook!
Follow Jessica on Instagram!
Want my "Favorite Things" newsletter?
I hate lots of annoying emails, so I won't send them! Just motherhood + life tips, a few times a month.
Follow
I had a small pooh bear…..Although it is tattered and torn I still have it today in my hope chest.
I had a brown teddy bear whose name was “Teddy” and I carried him everywhere!
I don’t remember being attached to a particular one, except for a rainbow bright doll for a while, and a dog that talked and had all kinds of sayings. I don’t know what happened to either.
Edi has her blankie bear. He is a little worn, sometimes smells like a foot, but can always make her happy when she’s sad. And if I were to win, I’d be donating this lovie to a pregnant friend! It’ll be a while before I have any more babies!!
I had a pink bear named (oh so creatively) Pink Bear. I had it all the way through college until I spent the summer studying abroad in London and my parents’ dog ate it… oh, I mourned that bear. Guess I need to find something else to give to our future daughter… 🙂
I just found you through Keeper of the Home and subscribed via e-mail. My favorite animal was my yellow bean-filled dog named Annie. She was named after our real dog that died when I was four. My daughter, who is 9, now sleeps with her every night. It was used when I got it and that was 29 years ago! She has had MANY washings, a missing nose, and a few stitches here and there, but is still in very good condition. On a side note…the picture of your son by the tree (the Keeper of the Home post), where did you find that gate? I have searched store after store for that long of one and could not find one. Thank you!
Hi Kimberly! That gate actually belongs to my mom! She has passed it around to houses with little ones…it is SO convenient! Here is a similar one that I found on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Richell-Freestanding-Large-Autumn-Finish/dp/B000F0VZV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354729351&sr=8-1&keywords=gate+stand+alone. It is a little pricey, but I bet it would do the job, too!
I don’t think I had one other than my thumb. I won’t admit to how long I sucked my thumb. I tried so hard to get my kiddos attached to a lovey, but no such luck. Georgia was attached to 5 pacis. The blue one had to be in her mouth and she held 2 in each hand and she knew if one was missing. Griffin and Hutton both are pretty happy with their thumbs. Griff has to have his blue choo choo socks on when he sleeps and if he is wearing footed pjs curious George wears the choo choo socks.
I had my Santa Clause dolly and my sheepy…. still have both in the attic.
I had a pink teddy that you could wind up and it would play lullabies – loved it!
I had a little dalmatian stuffed animal that I named Measles (I have no idea why I named my beloved toy after an illness). It’s actually still in a shoebox in my closet – just can’t seem to part with such an important childhood item 🙂
When I was born, I received a pink Fisher Price bunny blanket. I’m now 33 and still sleep with it. I know, I know…it’s sick…but it’s just one of those things that I’ve been conditioned to need. I am so dedicated to it that “Bunny” even came on my honeymoon. I locked him in the room safe so that the maids didn’t accidentally sweep him up in the sheets every day. (This happened once and I was devastated…the hotel later mailed him to me 3 weeks later when they found him).
When my son was born (he’ll be 4 next month) I found him a yellow one on EBAY. Although it was expensive because it was vintage, he absolutely loves it and it’s his favorite thing ever. He carries it with him everywhere.
I’m now expecting my 2nd child (another boy) in March and have already bought him one too. His is blue!
Needless to say, this is one childhood memory I just won’t let go. 🙂
If there’s a way to post pics, I can do so of all three! 🙂
Wow. That’s awesome. 🙂 I am just kind of curious how your husband reacts to “the bunny.” I’m sure he had advance notice he was coming on the honeymoon, right…?? LOL! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
I had a pink velveteen blanket with satin edges and a stuffed lion cub named Leo that went everywhere with me for awhile!
I did not have any favorite stuffed animal as child–however, I have several now. I love Thumper. I have several of them. I also have a little bear that my husband bought me from the place we went to on our honeymoon–36 years ago. Paradise goes with me when I travel alone. Thumper also used to travel with me to teacher conventions. However, he was often ‘bunny-napped’ & held for ransom. I also have a Mama dog & Pop bear that belonged to Nana & Pop-pop. I think these items are so cute–if I win I have several students that I taught that had (or are having) babies. In fact Seth & his wife just had Paisley this afternoon. I think they would be in the running along with Kourtney & Cameron whose little one is due anyday. 🙂 Jessica–I just love your blogs. I am so proud of you–my precious niece. Love you all!
ow…Sherry, sorry to hear your situation,you are so uulcnky. I and an entrecard member too. I wish i won’t face this problem and wish you good luck too!Hope your problem will be solved as soon as possible.Have a nice day !