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The American Widow Project was founded by Taryn Davis in 2007 after her husband was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. She sought out support from widows and found few resources or support groups for women her own age, war widows of our generation. She created the American Widow Project “a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter.”

Since 2001, over 6,200 U.S. service members have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Around half of these service members were married, leaving an estimated 3,000 military widows across our country. While the service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a widow of war. Oftentimes the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding.

The American Widow Project provides online resources and support as well as AWP Get-Aways where women bond with others in a similar situation. Learn more from Taryn in the L’Oreal Women of Worth video below.

Obviously this is an organization that hits close to home. Three of us who write on this blog are military spouses. Two of our spouses returned from extended deployments this summer and Malia’s husband is currently deployed. (Yes, he deployed shortly after baby Kate was born.) We are thankful for the safety of our spouses, but not everyone is so lucky. I made my donation in memory of an F-16 pilot who died over the summer and left behind a wife and infant daughter.

Donate! Give today to the American Widows Project.

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Just like last year we’re highlighting Toys for Tots. The charity is a natural fit for us considering how much time we spent trying to find the best toys for kids and Toys for Tots is focused on spreading joy through toys to children during the holiday season.

The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

What you may not know is that Toys for Tots is actually a program driven by the hard work of Marines throughout the country. When you search to find your local branch or toy drive you’ll likely find a Marine who serves as a Toys for Tots Coordinator. We love that even with all their other duties and service to our country that Marines focus on giving back during the holidays.

Donate! Visit Toys for Tots and donate money to your local chapter or to one of the areas most in need. Of course, you can also locate local toy drives to donate new, unwrapped toys. In addition to our monetary donation, thanks to Pampers, we’ll ve taking a Let’s Rock Elmo to our local drive!

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This week we’ve donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as part of its annual Thanks and Giving campaign.

Thanks and Giving is an annual holiday fundraising campaign in which shoppers, celebrities and national corporate partners unite to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the fight against childhood cancer. The campaign asks that holiday shoppers “give thanks for the healthy kids in your life and give to those who are not.”

I am lucky and grateful that my children are healthy, even if they are often challenging. I can’t imagine what it’s like for parents with truly sick children like those treated at St. Jude.

In addition to groundbreaking research and care, St. Jude is special in that it provides treatment to patients without requiring payment. Indeed, it is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. Here are some other noteworthy facts about St. Jude:

• St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world.
• On average, 5,900 active patients visit the hospital each year, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis.
• St. Jude has 78 inpatient beds and treats upwards of 260 patients each day.
• St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
• The daily operating cost for St. Jude is $1.7 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions.
• During the past five years, 81 cents of every dollar received has supported the research and treatment at St. Jude.

I am particularly interested and encouraged by the progress St. Jude has made in the treatment of AML – the form of leukemia my dad had. Many times while he was sick, I thought about how horrible it is that children have to fight that awful disease. Treatment is brutal and not always successful. It gives me hope to St. Jude is working towards more successful treatment and, eventually, a cure.

Donate! Join us in supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital today. Donate $10 now.

We first shared these Personalized Reusable Snack Bags over two years ago, and still love them just as much today. Perfect for lunch boxes or an afternoon at the park, the personalized option means it will always come home with the right child!

Another reusable bag for packing lunches that we love is from Bebeloosh Mini. Check out our quick feature and full review for more details.

I often pack sandwiches for my kids’ lunches. But a plain ol’ square is boring – make lunch fun with these affordable Sandwich Cutters for Kids.

Miss your child while he’s having lunch at school – and not with you? Send a little lunch note to let him know you’re thinking about him. We love the set of 20 notes with ten different school theme designs from Mary Had a Little Party.

Happy shopping!

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Looking for more affordable finds? Check out all of our Ten Dollar Tuesday picks.

These colorful wooden star wands by Imagination Kids make a sweet and natural birthday party favor, or the perfect just because gift for your kiddo.

The wooden star wands are made from sustainably harvested wood, AP Certified non-toxic paint, and homemade natural wood polish made from beeswax, jojoba oil, and essential oils. In other words, they’re super safe & eco-friendly.

Shop! At just $6 each or 5 for $27, they are affordable, fun, and encourage imaginative play. Take a peek at all of Imagination Kids’ safe, eco-friendly toys, as well as their blog at www.imaginationkidstoys.com/.

The app has the option to have the big guy read it (British Rocker Billy J. Kramer) or “I want to read it myself.” The narrated version highlights each word as it is read so your child can read along. Both versions allow your child to tap the word to have it pronounced (Jack thought this was fun to do over and over and over).

Each page also has fun interactive features like taps that turn, clothes that can be scattered around the room, and even steam that clouds up the screen and has to be wiped off. You can see more at The Going To Bed Book YouTube Video or better yet, just download the app and start playing.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… This app is a lot of fun and if you like Sandra Boynton, you will not be disappointed.

Or Not to Buy…. the only reason I can think not to buy this app is if you don’t have an iThingy of some kind. (And really, why don’t your yet?)

Shop! The Going to Bed Book application is available for purchase in Apple’s App Store for $1.99 for iPhone/iTouch, and $2.99 for the iPad.

Win! A Copy of The Going to Bed Book Apple App!

How to Enter: Just tell us your favorite Sandra Boynton book (if you can pick just one, ours is Pajama Time or this new app) and you are entered to win!

Giveaway ends April 15.

Thanks to Boynton Moo Media for the sample app and giveaway prizes. As always, opinions are my own.

Shop! For just $8, you will receive two dozen cascarones. Visit Gracie’s Eggies on Etsy for colors and quantities.

Go With: Mayas Kalupi Mini Coloring Wallet

Why We Like It: This crayon wallet is small enough to throw in a diaper bag or back pack for travel, but large enough to carry some valuable entertainment. The crayon wallet comes with 8 crayons and a 3 by 5 inch note pad for your little artist to get to work. When not in use, the wallets fold up and keep closed with an elastic band and button.

Go! Available in a variety of colorful fabrics, Mayas Kalupi Mini Coloring Wallets are $9.50.

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We’re On the Go in March. Check out all of our travel picks.

Go With: Personalized Reusable Snack Bag

Why We Like It: “On the go” doesn’t have to mean cross country trip. As you know, sometimes a trip to the park is just as daunting as anything. That’s why we love Bleu Roo reusable snack bags – we first shared them two years ago! – they are just as useful for day to day excursions as they are for longer trips. The bags are made of 100% unbleached cotton, lined with water resistant nylon and have velcro closures. And, now Blue Roo bags can be personalized. It can be hand embroidered with your little one’s name – or your family last name.

Go! Bleu Roo Snack Bags are available in a number of styles. Personalized Bags are $8.

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We’re On the Go in March. Check out all of our travel picks.

Obviously, part of what keeps the cost of these prints down (only $8 each!) is that you are buying the JPG file and must print it yourself. I was reluctant to hope on the printable bandwagon until I used a number of them for my kids birthday party. It was obviously easy, but the quality was also great (and I don’t have a dynamite printer). For an even more finished look, though, consider uploading the image to a photo sharing site and ordering a photograph print of the artwork. Either way, put any of these 8 x 10 prints in a frame and they will look adorable in a nursery, bedroom or playroom.

Seriously, how perfect is this “Keep Calm and Rock On” print?

This pretty little birdy is personalized and made to match Pottery Barn Kids’ Penelope Bedding.

I love the bright circus-like colors of the G is for Giraffe print.

Shop! Check out all the printable art at Apple Jack Designs. Each print file is customized and mailed to you within 24 hours after payment.