Good morning!
It is finally Valentine’s Day. It seems as though blog land has been preparing for this day for weeks now and I’ve been sitting in the back of the class watching everyone since I don’t “do” Valentines like you all do. I set a table, help my son do his Valentine notes for his classmates, and put together a little sweet treat for the kids, but that is about it.
So, I’m going to raise my hand and participate in show-and-tell today.
Here is what I put together for our (= John. Me. ) fabulous offspring…
I purchased four basic wood boxes from the craft store:
I then customized each box for Joey, Eryn, Cassidy and Alyssa & Jason. (Remember, Alyssa & Jason are married so they share a box 
)
All boxes are painted with ASCP and sanded/distressed to make them look as though they’ve been around the block a time or two. I then added a fun little quote, by either Dr. Seuss or Winnie The Pooh, on the inside that reminded me of each of them at this time in their lives. Yes, all but Joey are adults, but I don’t think you appreciate a Winnie The Pooh or Dr. Seuss quote until you are an adult!
Breaking it down….
Alyssa and Jason’s box is all about the two of them as they prepare to buy their first home and everything else newlyweds dream about.
Dream together. Smile together.
Don’t get me wrong. Alyssa and Jason are not weird. LOL. We all just love to give them a hard time because they are so stinkin’ smart and are like little scientific sponges that absorb every tidbit of information that floats around our universe. Needless to say, you don’t want to play Trivial Pursuit, attend a debate, or watch the news in their presence.
***
Cassidy’s box tells her story as she moves towards her final year of college and is positioning herself for a great future that may not be anywhere near us. Although she will be turning 21, it is hard to wrap our minds around the fact that she is no longer the little girl who only thought about who her next slide-tackle victim was going to be.
Dream. Believe. Love. Enjoy. Hope. No matter what…she is Blessed.
John and I realize that her future may lead her away from home and while we will miss her terribly if that happens, we will never be too far away.
***
Eryn is finishing up her senior year of high school and is ready to conquer the world. So much so that sometimes we have to bring her back down to reality. If she had her way, she’d be playing sand volleyball in San Diego, rock climbing on some crazy-scary-jagged-razor-like-peak, doing a photo shoot in the rain, all the while saving orphaned elephants in Thailand and working in orphanages in South Africa.
Shine. Sparkle. Spread her wings.
{Note to Eryn: Just please choose one thing at a time so we can keep up with you and not worry so much!}
***
Joey’s box represents his favorite pastimes – football and baseball – along with his favorite jersey number, #49.
It also reminds everyone that he is simply One. Cool. Dude.
Every kid at his age struggles with growing up and being confident in everything that they do. This is just a reminder that he doesn’t need to worry. Oh, and by the way, this is a Winnie The Pooh quote but being the astute mom that I am, I knew better than to give Pooh credit for the quote…and run the risk of Joey’s assorted friends giving him a hard time for it.
Once the boxes were finished, we filled them up with yummy Valentine treats.
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Nothing extravagant, but certainly functional with meaning.
Have a great Valentine’s Day!
Be inspired,
WEDNESDAY
Fireflies and Jellybeans
Primitive and Proper
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Restore Interiors
Primp
Its Overflowing
domestically speaking: power of paint party
blue cricket design
AKA Design
THURSDAY
Saved By Suzy
No Minimalist Here – Open House Party
Somewhat Simple
radcrafter
bloggaritaville
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch
My Repurposed Life
beyond the picket fence
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Delightful Order
A Glimpse Inside
designer garden
house of hepworths
36th avenue
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
FRIDAY
Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Frugalicious Fridays at Finding Fabulous
Fingerprints On The Fridge
2805
Chic On A Shoestring
Miss Mustard Seed
Remodelaholic
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Freckled Laundry
Tater Tots and Jello
Addicted2Decorating
sassysites
SATURDAY
Funky Junk Interiors
The DIY Showoff
Be Different Act Normal
SUNDAY
My1929Charmer: Sunday Best
Homemaker On A Dime
Sisters of the Wild West – Sister Sunday Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things
stuff and nonsense
MONDAY
HOme Savvy A To Z
Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle
The Southern Institute:Creative Me Monday
Everything Under the Moon-Bedazzle Me Monday
More the Merrier at DIY Home Sweet Home
Get Your Craft On at Today’s Creative Blog
Debbie Do’s Newbie Party
Metamorphisis Monday
Dittle Dattle
Crafts Keep Me Sane at Keeping It Simple
Home Stories A To Z
Time To Shine at Diamond In The Stuff
Thrifty Decor Chick
TUESDAY
Cowgirl Up! at Crafty Texas Girls
A Bowl Full of Lemons
DIY By Design
Trash 2 Treasures at Kammy’s Korner
Project Queen
Tip Junkie
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Elizabeth & Co.
Not Just A Housewife
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
House of Grace – Twice Owned Tuesday
Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
The DIY Dreamer
Turning lifetime passion into livelihood. It's about time! I'm Shari. I am a 40-something wife, mother, corporate professional turned design stylist, avid sports fan, and usually exhausted 24/7 keeping up with it all. I love my family, my home, my work...and the chaos that comes with it. I also happen to adore my beagle, Scout. 
Yup, those are thoughtful Valentine gifts, but more so you created keepsakes! But we will need to make sure Eryn never crosses path's with my Dan. If they did we would spend every night praying for their safety while they were together. So I will offer another of my sons up for her who is the straight arrow, doesn't take risks type. Maybe he could tone her down and she could rev him up a bit!
~Bliss~
Oh I love the boxes! They are so adorable!!!!!
This is such a great idea! I would love for you stop by and link up at my linky party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Delightful
Ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
OMG, I had no idea that Dr. Seuss and Winnie the Pooh had such great quotes! These are so adorable, another project to try!
these are so sweet!! i lvoe the quotes that go with each of them… what a special gift!
these are so sweet!! i lvoe the quotes that go with each of them… what a special gift!
You are goooddd!! What a detail to those boxes. I love m…
I came over via the LINKY FOLLOWERS blog hop, and …. am now following you. ** Will you follow me back?? **
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY,
Rose, from http://www.finecraftguild.com
You've really put some thought into these personalized boxes, Shari! They're all so cute.
Sue
That's such a great idea. I love that last quote (I actually have that quote on my home gym wall done in vinyl…I do give Christopher Robin credit – Lol). Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.
Love these!! So fun, yet such a sweet keepsake!
These are so much fun and the best Valentine idea I have seen!! Thanks for sharing
This is a great great idea!!! Perfect for Valentine's Day and everyday after that! I love the colors you painted them and the little notes at the bottom
Would you PRETTY PLEASE post this on my Linky Party please?
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/02/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-3.html
Those are so cute. You've got me thinking and wanting to try something with boxes.
What a fabulous way to make the ordinary seem so extraordinary! Thanks for the inspiration!
These are darling! New linky follower via No Minimalist. Would love a return follow and I'd love if you linked up to my little party: http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/02/show-off-saturday-1.html
Hope to see you there!
That's just about the most thoughtful Valentine's idea I have seen!
Samantha @ Crafty Texas Girls
Thanks for linking up to "Cowgirl Up!". Hope you'll be back next week too.
Those are nice. When my boys were younger, we made them for the grandparents out of wooden cigar boxes.
I really really like what you did with these boxes! I might have to try something with them myself. I'm now a Linky Follower.
These are super cute.
This are just adorable!! Thanks so much for sharing at my first ever linky party too
I LOVE these boxes! and the fun quotes inside. I'd love for you to share this at my new link party.
Rachel
http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/2012/02/terrific-tuesday-2-and-features.html
I love the owl box! What a great idea! I hope you will link up with me here:
http://www.thegingerbreadblog.com/2012/02/sweet-saturday-link-party-v26.html
So cute! I recently took an old recipe box and made it pretty again. I love this idea with the candy!
These are simply adorable!!! They will make excellent teacher gifts! I am hosting my first link party today, and would love for you to add this along with anything else you like!
http://www.mom4realky.blogspot.com/2012/02/4-real-friday-link-party-1.html
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real
What a neat idea! I'm totally loving all the quotes.
These are incredible….I am pinning those quotes! What an awesome idea with so much meaning. So glad I found your blog. I am your newest linky follower.
blessings,
karianne
I LOVE the sayings inside the boxes.
Oh wow, these are so sweet! What a wonderful gift idea!
Oh wow, these are so sweet! What a wonderful gift idea!
These boxes are adorable. They would make great bridesmaids gifts
-Jazmine
http://keepitkrafty.blogspot.com/
Just saw these at Homemaker on a Dime. They are really cute and the little sayings really make them extra special! Thanks for the inspiration!
I so love these boxes and the sayings!! I just pinned them! I found your blog on the linky followers blog hop and I am glad I did. I have been blog hopping for two days and I am loving meeting so many talented and amazing people. I am following you and hope that you take the time to hop over and maybe follow back.
My Turn (for us)
http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com
Thanks, I enjoyed the visit.
Shari,
I just love these boxes! So special for each of your children. I even teared up a bit … though I'm blaming that on menopause …
Linda
Very cool! Those boxes are so cute. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party.
These are great! I always see these boxes at Hobby Lobby but have never bought them. I might have to, now that I see such great finished pieces.
Kate
http://crafty-kate.blogspot.com
Those are fantastic! Found you through Tip Junkie. Off to explore your site some more
Heather
So cute! What a great personalized idea!
Hope you'll link up to my new link party!
Mauvin' Monday at Vintage Mauve
Cheers,
Jessica, your newest Linky Follower!
wow! Fantastic! Your children are blessed!!
What a great way to decorate these boxes, thanks for sharing, Maureen
love these! they came out great! what a thoughtful and caring gift-these would be great for my girls to give as bday gifts too. i heard all the quotes except the first and i love that one-going to print it up for my husband!
Following you from a Linky party. Maybe you could follow me also. Thanks, Linda
Hi! I pinned this on Pinterest and featured here. Thanks for joining Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop
Please feel free to grab the feature button.
These are just too wonderful! I will have to "borrow" this idea for my kids (young adults) next year.
Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday and sharing your creativity!
Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
your little wooden gift boxes are so cute. I love the quotes.
gail