Boys Night/Game-Themed Care Package

Sometimes the simplest things in life, like playing cards, can be easily forgotten when you're away from home. I put together a Games Package of things I picked up at Target for about $20.

POKER NIGHT PACKAGE:
*Two decks of Playing Cards (Jack Daniels brand decks.. a reminder of his favorite!) 
*A Pack of Dice 
*Pretend Money (from the kid's goody bag/birthday aisle, also at party-supply stores) 
*List of Games (written on index cards w/ adhesive laminating sheets from CVS)
Ranging from one-player games to some you can play with 10+ guys
A few easy to play/explain in case the soldiers teach ANA guys or local children how to play
Rules to different Poker games which I found online
... also found confusing, since I'm happy with a magic trick as far as cards go :) 
*Last but not least... COOKIES (of course!)

Spring... means Summer is getting closer!!

These went out last week with photos of the beach & lots of beautiful American sunshine to look forward to... til then, one patient (sort of) day at a time! At least until summer (and homecoming) I can listen to American Honey to pass the time.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Goodie Bags & Candy Galore.
...enough to share, since it is the holiday of spreading the love, and there is plenty to go around for these guys :)

These adorable Conversation Heart boxes are made of plastic but are strong, and stay closed with the lids on... each bearing a different little Valentine's message. 

The goodie-bags also included a mix of Valentine's Day candy and individual Valentine's Day cards in this little pink mailbox I purchased at Michaels.  I used adhesive-backed felt letters and put their Troop numbers along the side without the flag.

 Last but not least, Valentine's Day Cookies!!

JETS Football Surprise Package

So, for football fans (or any sport) it is one thing to miss out on a season, quite another when the season is as exciting as that of the New York Jets this year. Being a sports fan myself, I would have been devastated, so I imagine it was tenfold for my soldier, to miss out on all of the games and excitement. What is the solution? Bring the Jets to Afghanistan (so to speak).

Care Package Contents (photos below):
Copies of game tape, recorded onto DVDs
JETS Cheerleader Calendar
JETS-issued camouflage winter hat
JETS Sweatshirt
JETS insulated coffee mug
Football Cookies (Double Chocolate Chip Footballs)
Jersey Cookies (Sugar Cookies, Home & Away)
Team Logo Cookie
Photos of him with friends & family at past games

Star Cookies

Star Sugar Cookies

Prep Time: Mixing Batter (3 Minutes)

                  Rolling & Cookie Cutters (5 Minutes)

Baking Time: 5 Minutes

Cooling: 20 Minutes

Icing & Sprinkles: 5 Minutes

Shipping

Wrap cookies individually in Glad Press & Seal

Stack in a Take-Along tupperware lined with bubble wrap

Happy Halloween!

Trick-or-Treat... Well, just treats for these guys! 

Home-made Halloween sugar cookies (this was my first attempt at decorating with royal icing so I practiced a few times and threw out a LOT of cookies, but I was proud of my work).

 

Individual Halloween-themed goodie bags filled to the brim with gummy insects, candy corn and tons more.

 I also included some Halloween photos from past years, just for fun!