If you read my post on Sunday, today I was going to talk about our tumbling/gymnastics classes. All three boys have been taking lessons through our local Park and Recreation Department. I’ve decided to postpone that post until next week, since they still have to finish out the week. Plus, I received something yesterday that I really have to talk about.
I was having a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY bad day. Did I mention it was bad?
It started out nice and early trying to get the boys ready for their tumbling class. No one wanted to eat or get dressed, and everyone wanted to fight about a particular car and/or train. I was still tired from the day before, so this was not a great start to the day.
I had stood for 6 hours straight handing out samples at one of our new grocery stores, so my back was still sore. For some reason, chasing the kids around all day doesn’t get me in any better shape for something like that. Plus, I got to wear a hair net, a long-sleeved shirt and black pants in 90 degree weather. Too bad I didn’t get a picture.
So, we’ve got tired/sore/crabby mommy with cranky/fighting/screaming children. Not a great combo. Let’s just say tumbling class didn’t go very well.
We got home, and I realized we were out of almost everything in the refrigerator. Luckily, my Dad volunteered to stay with the kids while I ran to the grocery store.
As soon as I was walking up the steps to the house, I could hear the screaming start. I tried to get all the groceries in the house and put away, but the screaming wouldn’t stop. Someone wanted this train. Someone wanted that car. I was so flustered, I dropped a whole open bag of ice on the kitchen floor.
Maybe everyone was hungry? Popped a pizza in the oven, sent my Dad home, and had to run in to take away all the trains and cars. The fighting would just not stop. This is when I remembered the pizza, which was now burnt.
I had to take a “mommy time-out” and have a good cry in the bathroom. I was just feeling like a huge failure as a Mom. Then the doorbell rang…
A box arrived. It was for ME!!!!
Not only did it momentarily snap me out of my funk, but I got the kids distracted from fighting and excited to see what was inside. I seriously think there was at least 10 minutes where there wasn’t any screaming or fighting. That’s huge!
Anyways, the box was from my new Blogging friend Renee. We met through a Facebook Group called Mailbox Surprise Swap. Basically, everyone gets paired with a fellow blogger each month, and you send them something after finding out a little big about them. There’s also a theme, and this month was travel. Let’s just say Renee did a terrific job, and I was so touched by all the time and effort she put into my box.
So much great stuff! I don’t know how she fit it all in one box! Let me tell you about what she sent.
First, there was this beautiful journal, and gorgeous note cards. Being a blogger/writer, I love to write, so this journal was perfect. I also love to send handwritten cards!
Next, there was a yummy smelling candle in my favorite color, green. The scent is Peach Pear, and I kept the boys occupied smelling it for a good couple minutes. They were actually good about taking turns.
For the travel them, Renee got me this awesome tray depicting London, which is my favorite place to travel. My son is also obsessed with London, so he wanted the tray for himself. Oh, no, no.
Along with the tray, there were travel size bags/100 calorie packs of Vanilla Almonds, which are perfect for me and my healthy eating. There was also a Yankee Candle vent clip for my car with Pink Sands as the scent. How did Renee know I would need this in my car to calm me and take away the sour milk smell from that elusive missing sippy cup?
Plus, a book for me and a book for activities for me and the kids. Perfect again.
Finally, I saved my favorite for last:
Renee obviously listened when I told her I had a bit of an elephant obsession. To say I love this guy is putting it mildly. He’s holding a yummy scented French Country Vanilla Candle, and he’s my new best friend.
So, I want to thank Renee for doing such a great job with my surprise box. The detail and thought she put into it is what made me so happy. On a day where no one was listening to me, she really showed me she was.
Please stop over at Renee’s blog A Nanny’s Perspective, A Parent’s and Nanny’s Guide to Everything Early Childhood and Beyond so you can see what a sweet, thoughtful, caring person she is. She will also be receiving a package from me early next week, since my kids have not let me get to the Post Office yet…so watch for that. I hope she likes everything as much as I did.
Also, thank you to Amalia from Second Breakfast for organizing and running the Mailbox Surprise Group.
What a wonderful surprise! I love how much thought she put into it. And the swap group sounds like SO much fun!
That is so fun! I did a swap with a fellow blogger who lives in Canada last month & we exchanged candy & snacks we can’t get in each other’s countries.
Aw that’s such a great story! I hate those days…but it’s so wonderful when something unexpected turns it all around! Good for you! I have to get in on this Mailbox Swap! Ha
You should!
Wow! Renee did a really awesome job!! Glad you received your package at a time when it was really needed! <3
Shann, being a fulltime mommy is the hardest (yet most fulfilling) job on the planet! Bless you for your emptying yourself out for your children, and bless your swap sister for brightening your day at just the right time! What a sweet surprise!
Thank you so much!
True story- I got a little teary over the crying in the bathroom … Because that’s where I’ve been this week, too. ??
Oh no! I hope your day is going better today.
Awe!! What a sweet surprise! I love this idea. I should check out that group. That elephant candle holder rocks my world…I have a small obsession too. 🙂 I’m so glad you got a pick-me-up on such a crumby day. <3
Thanks Heather!
This is so cool! I love the idea of the mailbox swap!
xo Bree
http://bree-west.com
Exactly! Thanks Sara.
I love how your partner included something for your kids- how thoughtful!! Plus what a nice bonus as we’re heading into fall/winter and more indoor days!
What nice surprise after a long day! That’s incredibly sweet!
liz jo @ sundays with sophie
This nearly made me cry!!! Oh my gosh. First of all, what an awesome surprise when you were having a horrible day. Secondly- she packed a lot of great stuff in that package! I would love to do something like this.
She did such a great job. Come sign up! 🙂
I feel like this week has just been crazy. I have had absolutely no energy for anything. I was quite moody yesterday. Lol. Sometimes you just have those days and I feel you on the timeout thing and having a good cry. I love the idea of the mail swap! I just went to join the fb group. I hope you’re having a better day today!
I am. Thank you! Awesome that you joined the group!
Ugh, some days are just awful! What wonderful timing that your package showed up to cheer you up! I think I might join the FB group in a couple of months when life slows down again, because I love getting mail and I also love buying gifts!
What a wonderful idea! It’s so much fun to get packages in the mail, and the personal touch must have made it even better. (I have an elephant obsession too. Love anything elephant!)
Oh how nice and fun! I’m still working out the details of my swap partner. Love the elephant!
Oh my gosh, how sweet and what an awesome surprise! Sometimes a package like that is just the thing you need to cheer up your day. I love that elephant candle holder!
What a wonderful group and such a nice surprise to brighten a tough day.
With four 4 year-old children, I can relate to days like you described! Those days can be quite a challenge. What an awesome surprise to receive that amazing package in the mail. I think it not only says a lot about you and your interests, but it says a lot about Renee and what a thoughtful and detail oriented person she must be!
I love getting mail, makes me feel so special! So nice of your new friend to send you so many amazing things.
Blogging Swap?!?! How awesome! You know I will be checking that out 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
Sometimes a good cry will do wonders. I am glad you got such a cool surprise in the mail. My sister in law loves elephants too! Hope you are having a great day!
Aww so sweet! 🙂 Love all of the items you got! I’m sure it was nice to have a little fun and quiet time while opening up these gifts!
What an awesome surprise! We have 3 kids so I understand all the fighting and being super stressed out. I hope today is better, Haley
http://haleysvintage
Thank you Haley!
It’s amazing what mail can do to your attitude! I just joined the swap’s facebook page and am very excited! #authenticbloggers xoxo
Awesome!
I love this! There is nothing better than getting a package in the mail. It looks like a very thoughtful collection of treasures!
It really was. Thank you!
Wow! Three boys!! You’re amazing… I don’t know how you find the time to raise them and blog! Cheers to being a great mom, even on difficult days.
Thank you!
How fun! Happy Mail is the best!!!!
Yes! 🙂
What a lovely concept!
Those days are the worst! We all have them.
But it was a wonderful gift to get, especially on a day like that :-). And that elephant is so cute!
Glad to hear the day ended on a good note! What a neat idea and it looks like you were paired up with a very sweet and thoughtful person!
Yes!
Very cool delivery! Isn’t making bloggy friends awesome? 🙂
Yes!
What a fun surprise! One of the best parts of blogging is the friendships you make… on days when you feel like the rest of the world is so far away and it’s just you fighting the good fight so many bloggers reach out to remind you you’re not alone and we’re all here with you. P.S. Love the elephant!
Exactly. Thank you!
Now that is what I call synchronicity! The Universe knew you needed a break/distraction, something delicious and delivered! Love this story!!!
Exactly. Thank you, Claudette.
Mailbox swapping what a cool concept! I can so relate to your feelings here 🙂
Wow, that is so cool! I love the idea of a mailbox swap! I’d definitely like to give something like this a try!
This is so touching! She did put in so much effort!!! What generosity and kindness ❤️❤️❤️
I know! Renee is awesome!
What an awesome swap box! The timing was perfect huh?
Yes!
How awesome! I love blogger swaps!
How neat you got this when you did. This is a nead idea to swap.
How cool! This whole idea is awesome!
What perfect timing!! Gotta love those private cries in the bathroom—been there 🙁 🙂 So great that you not only received a really thoughtful surprise gift, but that your boys were snapped out of their bickering because of it, too—such a great bonus! That would have made my day, big time 🙂
Yes, it totally did. Thank you Brooke.
Oh my goodness, I remember crazy days like that. In fact, I had a bad day today – but I wasn’t going to let it change my mood. 🙂
I love getting stuff in the mail. I get a card from a fellow blogger and it just about made my month! It’s just a sweet gesture. Now, the gift you got is a major score! That’s what I love about the blogging community, they are some fab folks, like you hun. 🙂
Hope you’re having a great week!
Cori
Thank you Cori!
What a sweet mommy pack! Everything inside is all about relaxing and “me” time.
What a great way to end the day! Love the elephant it is gorgeous.
This is wonderful! I did a fitness blogger swap in June and it was great to get something fun in the mail. I’ll have to check this out, thanks for sharing and glad it helped your day.
Thank you!
That is such a nice surprise. Sometimes all it takes are the little things to turn our days around!
Exactly. Thank you Yanique.
What a perfect day for that to arrive! It’s just what you needed, and Renee filled it with some wonderful things!
the mailbox surprise swap looked like very interesting… and you’ve got a very nice stuff from your partner 🙂
I have heard the mailbox swapping but i never try it, i think it was a really great to swapping mail with your friends, Gonna check this out
Glad to hear you got cheered up in the middle of a not-so-great day! That little elephant is so cute!! What a cool idea!
I’ve seen this done by some bloggers and I really think it’s cool. I would love to try this with a fellow blogger.
I’m so glad your day got better! What a nice surprise.
Thank you!
See it get worse before it gets better is all I got to say. It had to make your day getting the box. I so love the elephant which was the first thing to catch my eye. This is a great way to get to know other bloggers and I believe so much fun getting different things from other bloggers too. Thanks for sharing and glad it worked out in the end.
Thank you!
Oh my gosh, what a fun idea! I love what she sent you. I totally need to join that group. lol 😉
You should!
Lovely surprise! I like the elephant holding candle so much. I also was in that Facebook Group and I recieved from lovely Hannah an Amazon Gift Card. Was lovely to take part of that event!
Yes! I’m so happy I joined!
That sounds like such a great thing to do! How nice that it arrived on a day when you really needed it.
Yes. Exactly. Thank you!
What a fun idea! This is a great idea. So awesome that it came on a day you really, really needed it.
Thanks Jonathan!
It sounds like she TOTALLY got you! I love the elephant – I have a thing for giraffes and elephants and that would look awesome in my collection 😉 Glad she helped to turn your day around!
Thank you!
Ah we’ve all had those days. And perfect timing on the package arrival, woot!
Yes. Thank you.
I love that concept of gift swapping between bloggers. Must find like minded bloggers and start one of my own.
What an absolutely awful day. It’s so awesome that a gift swap was able to cheer you up, though! 🙂
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs