Gifts Baggies For Paola and Sisters

In March (I think) of 2013, another sponsor traveled to Guadalajara to visit her sponsored child. In exchange for my helping her to plan the trip, she delivered quart-sized baggies of gifts to my three kids and their siblings.

The photos I got back were very cute, but they never made it onto Paola's blog. So here they are!

 

Paola's school packages - a preview

Barbara, Bernie, and Mack have each sent Paola a package to celebrate her entrance (hopefully) into school. We'll have to wait until the photos come back from Mexico to see what Bernie sent, but here's a list from Barbara + a photo of the darling school outfit she bought for Paola:

Besides items pictured, Barbara's package also contains:

Barbara's 'Starting school package for Paola" mailed 20th April.

1 small Canada back pack
1 Olympic mascot (Muk-muk) zip-puller
1 Muk-muk stuffed toy
ABC Trace and Learn exercise book
1 White short sleeved blouse
1 Coral/white tartan pleated skirt
1 pair white socks with pink frill
1 pair striped panties
1 pair reversible pink/purple sparkly shorts
1 white peasant blouse with lime green embroidery
2 Dora pony-tail holders
1 Disney mug/toothbrush/paste set
1 Green exercise book
1 page of ABC stickers
1 box of coloured pencils
Dora pencil case with pull zips
3 pencils
1 small paint brush-erasor-scissors,ruler,chalk and green ball point pen
1 bloc of craft paper and craft scissors
1 plastic coat and one pants coat hangers
1 small doll's dress
1 hoop and ball

plus 3 candies and 6 photos.

Mack created 10 coloring sheets that explain (in Spanish) how to prepare for a day at school w/hygeine tips, etc. She bound these into two coloring books - one for Paola and one for Tomasa:

Mack also mailed some Spanish workbooks for beginning learners, along with crayons and a few school supplies. Also, plenty of fun toys to counteract the boredom of education. The stuffed kangaroo is a reminder of one of the animal species Mack and Paola watched together at the Guadalajara Zoo:

Easter Package

Hello Everyone,

Barbara and I sent a direct package to Paola for Easter. I received the following e-mail and the above pictures from Barbara

I have just received two photos of Paola's Easter DP but the two sisters don't seem to be very happy with their gifts for some reason. I thought Paola would love the big cuddly lamb but her little tight lipped smile doesn't show much pleasure. However, I do like her hairstyle!!

At least it is good to know that the parcel arrived safely.

Cheers

Barbara

We are waiting on the report on the hygene items we both sent in late March.

Bernie and Barbara

Paola's 5th birthday gifts from Barb!

'Dear B.Rogers

Paola wants to thank you for all the gifts that you sent for her. The singing heart, bracelet, candies, bag, Dora lunch box, clothes, pictures, birthday card and everything else.

Paola likes it a lot when you send photos, she likes to know more about you, your friends and family. She also hopes that you like the photos of her which CI takes. Paola likes the paper crown a lot! She coloured the drawing on this letter with lots of affection. Paola sends you lots of kisses and hugs and again would like you to know that she loves you a lot.

The additional comments were. 'Paola and her family were very happy for the gifts the sponsor sent for them.'

Maria seems to be the happiest!

Here is the actual list of contents sent for Paola's birthday.

- 1 two piece jeans & pink/white/navy top.
- Lavendar coloured top with purple hearts
- 2 piece white blouse and pink/orage checked pinafore dress
- Multi-coloured hearts/stars tank top
- Turquoise and pale blue jacket and pleated skirt
- 1 pair of white socks and 1 pairs of dark fairy socks.
- 1 - striped underwear
- 'Just Like Home' toy cooking set.
- 1 Singing Heart
- Dora purse
- little bracelet for Maria
- Dora lunch box
- My little pony book colour book and glitter stickers

And out of all of the above gifts what did Paola like best? - the paper crown from a Xmas cracker!! Aren't kids funny?

Paola gets a "computer"

Here is the package that I sent via Steve. The girls really look excited & grateful for their life change... It must be really incredible to be in their shoes and see so much changing for the better! Next year, it will be school for both of them! In the meantime, I sent them the learning laptop that I had, also, sent to Brayan. It has eductaional games on it, so hopefully they can do some learning at home before they get a chance to start school!

This is what the field said:

List of items received:

2 Princess Coloring Posters

4 T-shirts

1 Magnetic toy

1 Bag of lollipops

1 Little Lunch Pail

1 Stuffed Lamb

1 Bag of Jax

1 Chalkboard and chalk

1 Watercolor Paint Set

1 Compu Kids Computer with lots of batteries

Comments: Paola and Tomasa received the toys from the sponsors. They were so happy for the computer they received.

Dear Sponsors,

Tomasa was very glad for the gift that you sent. She liked the stuffed lamb a lot. Rosa, the mother, thanks you for thinking of her. She, also, likes the little Tinkerbell lunch pail.

Thank you on thier behalf.

Marcela (field officer)

Dear Sponsors,

The mother of Paola is very happy for the gift that you sent for the girls Paola and Tomasa. They liked the t-shirts a lot, and Paola liked the computer the most. On behalf of their mom and Paola we thank you for thinking of them.

Marcela (field officer)

Extra Package Photos

Each post entry is only allowed 5 photos, so here are the "extras":

Barbara's Halloween Gifts for Paola

Here are the photos from the Halloween package delivered by Steve:

The package contained.

- a green fairy dress for Halloween from Alice to Tomasa
- a blow up Pumpkin
- 3 Halloween loot bags
- 2 Halloween plates
- An Halloween colouring book.
- a few candies each.

Paola's Christmas Gifts From Barbara

These are the Christmas photos - I mailed the package via surface but obviously it was sent air mail and arrived too early, but better early than late I suppose. In fact, since Paola is wearing the same clothes and has the same hairstyle, they were given to her on the same day as the warm clothing which was sent in August!!

The package contained the following:-

1 Singing, blushing Snowman
3 Large velvet red and white Christmas stockings each of which contained
a small disney ball
a tiny stuffed animal in Santa hat
a sweater for their Teddy bears
a light up Santa head band
1 small red reindeer horns head band
a blue foam reindeer horns head piece
a Xmas colouring book

For Paola - a pale turquoise top.
a small green stand up toothbrush and toothpaste set
a Winnie the Pooh sticker album and two pages of stickers

For Maria
a pair of red pyjamas
a white top with pink birds and hearts.
a set of top/pants and hat with padded coat hanger
a pair of shorts.

The comments from the local field officer were.

"Paola was glad to receive the package from the sponsor."

The letter read.

"Dear Barbara Rogers

I want to tell you about Paola Mendez. She was very amazed of all the gifts that you sent and is very happy that you are so good to her and her family. She liked all the gifts she received. Paola likes a lot the pictures of you with your loved one. Paola also wants you to have a Merry Christmas and May God keep blessing you a lot. Paola loves you a lot."

More Gifts From Barbara

Here are some photos taken after Paola received a package from Barbara back in August:

These photos are of a 'warm' clothing DP that I sent in August. One picture shows Paola actually smiling, but in the others I think she is sucking on some candies I included. The contents were as follows:

2 sweat suits, 3 T-shirts, one pyjama set, 3 fleecy hoodies, 3 small bags of candies, 1 hanger, Dora colouring book and crayons, 1 pencil. The comments in the follow up letter from the CI local centre were:

Paola looked very happy and thankful for the gifts she received from Ms. Rogers.

The letter written for the family by a CI field officer read.

"Dear Barbara Rogers
Paola Mendez Aranda is very happy for the special package she got. She thanks you very much for the crayons, the pair of pants, the t-shirts, and all the other nice things you sent her. She really wants to start colouring the Dora the explorer book. Paola still does not go to school, but next year she will start kindergarten. Paola loves you very much and she thanks you for all the things you do for her. She'd like to meet you someday. Paola hopes you're doing fine. She sends you kisses and hugs."

A letter like that makes it all worth while.

Cheers

Barbara

Paola's Package that will be delivered by Steve

For those who have been waiting to see what would be sent with Steve to give to Paola on his visit next week... This is what I have put into a flat rate box that is being shipped to him tomorrow:

*1 Biligual English/Spanish Children's Laptop

*1 Bag of Lollipops, per Barbara's request- to be handed out at Halloween

*1 Bag of Jax

*1 Chalkboard with chalk & eraser

*1 Water-color Paint Set

*2 Velvet Disney Princess Pictures with Markers for Paola & Tomasa

*1 Tinkerbell Mini-lunch Pail

*4 Old Navy Shirts to be shared between Paola & Tomasa

*1 Cuddly White Lamb (yeah, I know, it will be brown in less than a day)

*1 Magnetic Play Circus Scene

Sorry, Barbara, I did not get a chance to throw in a costume for the baby (Long, depressing story that I don't want to get in to)

So, there ya go. It is headed to Steve. I am sure we will have some great pics & videos to add to this blog shortly!!! Thank you, Steve!!!

Photos from Barbara!

Here are the photos that Barbara received from CI after sending a package for Paola and her sisters ...