Present Production

Earlier this week I looked at the calendar and realized Hubby Tony and I missed the window to get a birthday present mailed to Granddaughter Gee so it would arrive by her third birthday.

It's really hard to have kids living halfway across the country in California. Between the two of them and their families there are ten people, each with a special day. We've cut it close once or twice, but this is the first time we've completely disremembered. (And hopefully the last.)

After thinking about the present prroblem for a while I came up with a solution. Envelopes travel faster through the mail than packages, so Grandma and Grandpa just needed a present that could fit in an envelope.

Tony and I went to the craft store and bought a package of six coordinated balloons-some plain, some decorated. Then we swung by the drug store for a card. Back at home home, I blew up one of the plain balloons and asked Tony to hold the bottom closed while I wrote a greeting with permanent marker.

After we were sure the marker had dried Tony deflated the balloon. We signed the card, put the special balloon inside, slid the card into its envelope, and then slid that and the rest of the balloons into a manila envelope. Tony took the envelope to the post office the next day.

The present showed up right when it needed to. Today we received belated photos and videos showing the birthday girl (and her little sister) with the balloons. Their mom wrote that they "had a blast" playing with them.

The next family birthday (for twins Dee and Ell ) is at the end of June. Tony and I are already throwing around ideas for their presents. 

Five years ago today: Downright Departed