Kid Gifts

I've been saving some of these photos for a very long time. As our kids move into adulthood, they have begun giving us presents. I posted about some of the Christmas gifts, which were so lovely. Here are some other presents we've received from our kids recently.

 Anna enjoys shipping things to us from Japan. I know it must be a lot of trouble, but that doesn't slow her down! This is a package I received several months ago.
Cute paper:

 Very cute box ...

And inside, a fresh pile of letters, written lovingly, by hand, on individual sheets, for me to read day-by-day. An account of her first year teaching, how she felt, how she struggled, how she missed us. It's not easy reading at times! A mama's heart seizes up a bit, but it's good to know it's all last year, and she's adapted so well. Sweet, sweet letters.

Julia gave me art. I look at this Every Single Day. She knows I love the ocean.

Philip and I share a love of music, and he enjoys getting me CDs.

 These are all excellent, but of course Chopin is my favorite :) Or maybe Brahms.

 While in Massachusetts for Peter and Shani's wedding, I told Kara how much I liked her sandals. And then ...! A pair arrived in the mail for me for my birthday! Yippee! Isn't that the best?

 Anna also sent a fun package for my birthday. She found a shop in Japan called "Afternoon Tea." Sigh!!!!!!!!!! A shop made just for me! Look at this tea strainer:

 
 The base is a mini cup and saucer!

 

And she sent two dish cloths that are absolutely the BEST. Perfect fabric, cute design. 

Anna, I give you permission to give me MORE of these for Christmas, okay?

On to Father's Day! 

Here's Anna's package:

 Both these ties are a lovely blue, not gray. Blame the camera :( But Anna has impeccable taste in ties, and all Adam's new favorite ties are gifts from her.

 
 More cute packaging there.
Okay, then we move on to the adorableness in a little bag within. She sent her daddy a bag full of Japanese candy!! Squeeeeal!

 
Aren't they cute!!??

I tried this one first. It's a chewy candy that's supposed to taste like Coca-Cola. Not bad!

 And now for some of the others. I can't tell you how they taste because I didn't try them, but they sure are fun to look at! It was hilarious to study them all.

 

Adam says the Hello Kitty was a combo of white and dark chocolate .. yummy.

 
Philip and Kara called our favorite restaurant in New Bern and had a gift certificate waiting for us there on Sunday evening, for Father's Day. Goodness!!! You would have thought we were the World's Best Parents ... which I can assure we were NOT. But we have the sweetest kids ever. And what did Peter give us recently, you ask? The best gift of all ... a new daughter :) Is there any better gift to your parents than choosing a lovely spouse? They are busy, busy, busy in Boston trying to settle in, do new jobs well, adjust to married life, and plot a course for the future. That's a tall order, and I think they are very brave and adventurous.

I must say, I'm so proud of all our kids. They are not perfect, and neither are we. But we love them all so dearly, and we know they love us. I hope you enjoyed the fun presents they've thought up lately.