Letter Enclosures...

[K]

I know we cannot send anything really other then paper. I know some moms send cartoons, word jumbles, etc. I spent some time before he left going through and putting together things to print out and send him. Jokes, the Navy NUKE School Final Exam (super funny if anyone wants it), interesting pictures, etc. I have been clipping the SUDOKU puzzles for him also. Writing every single day makes you realize how boring your life can be sometimes but it also provides a challenge on what to include. I thought maybe we could start here by sharing some of the things we found to send that others might not have thought of.

My first idea was maybe taking funny pictures of us trying to do his chores while he was gone.

My second idea was to keep an eye on what changes are going on around town and maybe take pictures of some. We have a significant amount of growth going on so we have buildings going up, business moving in, etc etc. We are a small town so the Chik-Fil-A last year was SUPER exciting...so any stuff like that.

My third idea is to let his little sister (age 4) write letters to him. She is learning to read and write so it would be good for HER but they are close so I think it will be good for him too.

I also keep my eye on the local Washington Post magazine for interesting articles to clip and send. I picked up a thing of American Flag stickers as I heard in the past the kids can use those to stick their pictures up since they don't have tape. I would love to get some more ideas of things to send that are interesting. I have heard no politics so that is out. Nothing super heavy or depressing. Just some fun light stuff. Anyone else here have great ideas or things they are sending? The whole family in groucho glasses? All of us dressed like sailors? A short mystery story with a different page a day? Just brainstorming.

[Ginger]

What a great idea. On Sunday my son said not to send pictures that he or I wouldn't want the whole division to see because they will be shown by the RDC so keep that in mind.

I have done some of the things you mentioned but got some great ideas from you.

Something I saw here that we haven't done yet, but are going to do together is a letter from our dog's point of view. We were already talking about what we would write. "found a new spot in the yard to poop today" or "that cute poodle from down the street walked by again"--just some nonsense things.
An idea I got from your post is we are having friends over for the premire of Survivor which we always watched as a family. I am going to buy some headbands and think of some other "props" and take a picture of the group.

[K]

I love the idea from a dog's point of view. lol We just have fish but that could be interesting also... :)

[Michelle B]

that is so funny writing from the dogs point of view because my dog has been miserable since my son left. he goes in his room all the time looking for him. I am going to do this. What a cute idea thanks Michelle

[carols_kitchen]

Yes--our one dog misses his "storm relief" presence downstairs in his room.

[Diane (Gage's Mom)]

Hi Michelle,
We sent our son a card that had a dog on the front. We have 3 but could only find the one card with a dog that looked like one of our's. and I took poster board paint and covered the pads of the paws. I stamped the card and then wrote a little message from each of them. He said he loved it as well as everyone else.Just an idea for ya! (I also washed off the paws as soon as I was done)

[Kris Shortridge]

if your child is a sports fan, you can clip the sports info from the newspapers so they can keep up w/their favorite sports team. Each Monday my husband would gather all the football scores and stats from the sports pages and also from the internet to send to my son. My son said he always liked getting those each week and sharing w/all the other guys .

[Cindy Proud Navy Mom of Rob]

I love this! Ya all are so creative and the rest of us get the benefit -how lucky are WE!!!!!!!
Ok, brainstorming ideas everyone. We have been set a great foundation.
What about cool pictures from the local paper too. Animals, weather, etc -whatever they are in to. It may give them a sense of comfort and a visual to think about when they are 'down'. We have a travel section on Sundays that usually talks about neat places to visit and pictures of it.
I'll ask Rob if there is anything he would like to get -that way I can include those. I plan to take pictures of all family events and perhaps just copy them in to a letter off the computer. That way no loose pics lying around to keep track of -just the letter itself. Course, won't overdo it. YEAH RIGHT!
I really like the story idea -would give them something to look forward to. Have others add to it. Have someone start a story and someone else finish it. I have actually done this years ago and it was a blast. Or draw a picture -face and have others add the features -like Mr Potato Head -would be even funnier if it was a picture of us and we had someone else dress us -like paperdolls.
WOW! I just realized how much work I have to do - better run & get this party started!

[K]

I know my son loves those Japanese Animae Manga comics. I thought perhaps I would send one letter but do it like a Japanese Manga comic! lol I have an art background so I might be able to pull it off. There is a scuttlebutt forum here also that I found yesterday. There look to be some cute jokes and pictures there also that you could cut and paste. If I manage that manga thing I will have to share it with ya'll.

[Alice]

Hi! I am new to this in every way. My son leaves on October 1st. He'll go to Great Lakes IL. Exactly what can I send? I have heard all kinds of stories about recuits that receive things from home that get them into "trouble."
Is there any phone contact at boot camp?
You have lots of great ideas...as do all the other Navy Moms

Alice

[K]

Hi, Alice.

It's my understanding to stick with letters and cards. Avoid anything like those musical cards, anything too political (Hallmark has a whole seciton of those) or too naughty or risque. I have picked up many from the "cope" and "encouragement" sections. Also some "miss you" cards. I found the cutest one yesterday that has: TANGO CHARLIE BARETTA NINJA MANGO" on the front in military stencil letters and on the inside it says, "That is 'Military' for I Miss You"

They also have a TON of Halloween cards out now so I picked up some with cute jokes like a guess the beer one and such. The 99 cent section also has alot of cute safe cards. Check Borders or other stores for Stationary sales. I picked up a cute box of simple blank striped cards that I can fill in with as Hallmark cards get expensive. They were 50% off so they were a good deal. I type some of my letters and have some interesting emails and stories I have collected. Like the Snoopy one talking about who you should appreciate and I have some awesome pics of the art work from this guy who does sidewalk drawings with chalk that are so amazing and life like (my son is an artist also).
They don't get to call much at all it sounds like so letters are what helps them through.
Read through the rest of this thread and look right below for two links posted by Navy Mom admin for more ideas.

[Denise]

I made the mistake of sending my son a musical card. I thought it was really cute....he got intense training for it.

[Ingrid]

Hi Alice,
How are you doing? My son left to GL excatly 2 weeks ago and i just got my first letter. no phone call yet but the letter was great to finally get. Hang in there, it does get easier. (until you get your first letter-and the emotional rollercoaster come back. lol)