Fun and Educational.......

Lately, as you probably know, I have had a passion for fun mail.  I have sent many envelopes, but a few weeks ago, I got my best idea yet!!!  You see, my family has always had a love of books.  From little on, we read to our kids, and as they grow they continue to love their own books.  As an adult, I even have my own collection of children's books!  (I'm thinking sometimes it might be the darling drawings in them which attracted me to them in the first place though.  lol)

I have a great niece who turned 5 in February.  Her mom is a former K-3 teacher who has taught Audrey to read.  I was amazed when I heard her read a few weeks ago and she hasn't even stepped into kindergarten yet.  

This whole idea started when I decorated and sent my niece a decorated envelope for her birthday.  When I saw Audrey (her daughter), she asked if I would make a cool envelope for her.  Naturally, I said yes and sent her one within a day or two which she loved.  Then, I thought.......wouldn't it be cool to send Audrey an early reader book every week in a decorated envelope?  She would discover the joy of fun mail as well as getting quite a collection of books throughout the summer and really improve her reading skills in the process.  I threw the idea out to my niece and she loved it!

So, I went to town........took out my bunch of 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 white envelopes and started decorating.  Then, went to Target and Barnes and Noble for some cool and fun early readers.  (Amazon is also a source.)  Soon, I had quite a collection.  Here are just a few:

Some are easier than others, so I read them all to determine which was which so I could send the easiest ones first.  I'm sending the pre 1 ones first!  This week we are on #3.  Let me show you the envelopes so far.  My niece is not a girly-girl so you won't see any ballerinas in this group, let me warn you!







You'll note that I only have two "forever" stamps on most of the envelopes.  I did these prior to having one weighed.......so HAD TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL STAMP to each of my pre-made envelopes.  Most of the books (without anything more in the envelope) require $1.32 postage.......which is 3 - forever stamps.  (Just in case you want to do it too!)

Yesterday, I noticed that I only had four white 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 envelopes left so sent my hubby to the office supply store for more.  He came home later all proud telling me that the office supply store was no longer selling that size, but they located one box in the home office storeroom and it would be shipped to me this week.  When I asked him how much, he told me $55.  What??  Then, I asked him how many......and he said, "500".  YES, you read that right, folks............500!!!  E-gads!!!  So, my friends, IF you need any envelopes to do this with some youngster you love, you know where to get them.  Ah-huh!!!  You betcha!  You pay for shipping and I'll send you enough to supply YOU for all summer too!  If you need any ideas on easy ways to decorate them, e-mail me and we can talk.  You will be loved by your youngster............just like me!  From what I hear, Audrey is counting the days until the next book arrives.