tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61484561133153893332024-03-13T07:44:28.362-04:00Sock Monkey TrailsSock Monkey Trails features sock monkeys from As You Wish Creations on the adventure of a lifetime - traveling across the country in search of new experiences! Host families take care of a cute -and maybe a little mischievous- sock monkey while taking him/her on the daily adventures we call life. Here you will see and read about all the adventures!Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-85343860174532719532012-08-31T10:40:00.001-04:002012-08-31T10:40:25.312-04:00Halloween Already?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-srmOpmdkFwg/UEDMO9OapNI/AAAAAAAAAJg/8P3BdCjQv_8/s1600/sm_DSC_7287+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-srmOpmdkFwg/UEDMO9OapNI/AAAAAAAAAJg/8P3BdCjQv_8/s320/sm_DSC_7287+-+Copy.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Shinko came yesterday! And he came exactly when I got my</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Halloween photo shoot ready for my boys. I wanted to try out</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">something cool and new...and Shinko was able to help :-)<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">He makes a great Pirate Monkey. He had a lot of fun watching</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">the kids all dressed up and having fun with the smoke from</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">the Smoke machine!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFH56pgR4hg/UEDMNxf7b1I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/aJ-C_8_1uTM/s1600/sm_DSC_7286+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFH56pgR4hg/UEDMNxf7b1I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/aJ-C_8_1uTM/s320/sm_DSC_7286+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28qlL2QxFi4/UEDMT58uCjI/AAAAAAAAAJo/__oQeudi9J8/s1600/sm_DSC_7326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28qlL2QxFi4/UEDMT58uCjI/AAAAAAAAAJo/__oQeudi9J8/s320/sm_DSC_7326.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">We have a lot to show him this week! And we are exited to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">have him here. For those who want to see all the Pictures</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">from the Photo shoot here is a Link:</span></div>
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<a href="http://yourphotoworld-bysabine.blogspot.com/2012/08/pecial-mini-halloween-photo-shoots.html" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://yourphotoworld-<wbr></wbr>bysabine.blogspot.com/2012/08/<wbr></wbr>pecial-mini-halloween-photo-<wbr></wbr>shoots.html</a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"></wbr><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"></wbr><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">---</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Shinko is currently being hosted by Sabine Betschart of </span><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><i>Your Photo World LTD.</i></span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Specializing in Portrait Photography. Maternity, Newborn,</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Baby, Child, Family, Wedding and other special occasions</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Website : </span><a href="http://www.yourphotoworld.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">www.yourphotoworld.com</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Blog: </span><a href="http://yourphotoworld-bysabine.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://yourphotoworld-<wbr></wbr>bysabine.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Become a Fan on Sabine's Facebook Page:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Photo-World-LTD/128306867229553" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Photo-World-LTD/128306867229553" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/<wbr></wbr>Your-Photo-World-LTD/<wbr></wbr>128306867229553</a></div>
Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-32977199908215700152012-08-31T10:32:00.000-04:002012-08-31T10:32:59.660-04:00Aquarium!!!<br />
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Dear Mom,</div>
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Remember the boat I told you about? Here's a picture of me and my friends Cullen and Addison's mom. Her name is Jamie. She held me tight to make sure I wouldn't fall off the boat.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IBTLvhyyR4/UDwFokD9vcI/AAAAAAAAHi4/E-DyxKG3uH0/s1600/Shinko+Rides+the+Ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c93061; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IBTLvhyyR4/UDwFokD9vcI/AAAAAAAAHi4/E-DyxKG3uH0/s320/Shinko+Rides+the+Ferry.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went to the aquarium and I got to sit in a crocodile's mouth! He wasn't alive, but he was still pretty scary.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyp6PCKA4T8/UDwF5oeYxPI/AAAAAAAAHjQ/fMKHhdfKtA4/s1600/Shinko+in+Alligator+Mouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c93061; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyp6PCKA4T8/UDwF5oeYxPI/AAAAAAAAHjQ/fMKHhdfKtA4/s320/Shinko+in+Alligator+Mouth.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="251" /></a></div>
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I got to see some real ones too. This one was white and had weird colored eyes!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-txu_fcZRayg/UDwFtlVeDBI/AAAAAAAAHjA/qKW6rwRt4ZI/s1600/Shinko+and+the+Albino+Alligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c93061; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-txu_fcZRayg/UDwFtlVeDBI/AAAAAAAAHjA/qKW6rwRt4ZI/s320/Shinko+and+the+Albino+Alligator.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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We saw lots of other fun animals at the aquarium too, but it was pretty dark in there. There was so much water! We got to pet sharks too.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3AvyL58tY4/UDwF0GLOMFI/AAAAAAAAHjI/zF83RUEioJc/s1600/Shinko+at+Breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c93061; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3AvyL58tY4/UDwF0GLOMFI/AAAAAAAAHjI/zF83RUEioJc/s320/Shinko+at+Breakfast.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of vacation was breakfast. We had yummy stuff like pancakes and waffles every morning. I got my own plate, but had to be careful to keep my tail out of the syrup.</div>
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I'm sad to be leaving Addison and Cullen, but I'm very excited to meet new friends.</div>
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I miss you and love you,</div>
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Shinko<br />
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<i>Shinko was recently hosted by Jamie and family. You can read more about Shinko's visit at Jamie's blog, <a href="http://www.mamamommymom.com/2012/08/hosting-shinko-taking-monkey-on-vacation.html" target="_blank">Mama Mommy Mom</a>. You can also find Jamie and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MamaMommyMom" target="_blank">Mama Mommy Mom on Facebook.</a></i></div>
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Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-88773937574896150262012-08-30T19:32:00.002-04:002012-08-30T19:34:18.155-04:00"Hanging" with Cullen and Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">Dear Mom,</span></div>
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I was very tired yesterday, but got to take a nap with my new friend Cullen in his car. We were in the car for a long time. It's a long way to the beach. Cullen gave me lots of hugs and kisses and I really liked snuggling with him. His sister Addison is nice, but I like Cullen best.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSXfEObKfa0/UDQl2HnG3WI/AAAAAAAAHfU/KWx2ZUbstRU/s1600/Shinko+Naps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #c93061; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSXfEObKfa0/UDQl2HnG3WI/AAAAAAAAHfU/KWx2ZUbstRU/s320/Shinko+Naps.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="227" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">We got to ride on a really big boat today. It was so big that we could drive our car on it! A lot of other people did too. I got to see some really cool birds, and we even fed them pretzels. See them flying over my head? They scared me a little at first because they were getting so close, but Cullen's mom said it was ok and that they wouldn't touch me.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vStgWU3aGj0/UDQmLdqhcWI/AAAAAAAAHf0/X2gh6KUQzac/s1600/Shinko+and+the+Sea+Gulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c93061; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vStgWU3aGj0/UDQmLdqhcWI/AAAAAAAAHf0/X2gh6KUQzac/s320/Shinko+and+the+Sea+Gulls.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm having so much fun, but I miss you too. I'll write again soon...</div>
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Love,</div>
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Shinko</div>
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________________________</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">
<i>Shinko was recently hosted by Jamie and family. You can read more about Shinko's visit at Jamie's blog, <a href="http://www.mamamommymom.com/2012/08/hosting-shinko-taking-monkey-on-vacation.html" target="_blank">Mama Mommy Mom</a>. You can also find Jamie and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MamaMommyMom" target="_blank">Mama Mommy Mom on Facebook.</a></i></div>
Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-20058119034856845552012-06-26T23:21:00.000-04:002012-06-26T23:24:10.387-04:00Traveling Shinko: Maine to NY<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CIeck2fAI0A/T-p7oJ5DZaI/AAAAAAAAAI4/88UCw8jzxyE/s1600/shinko+collage+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CIeck2fAI0A/T-p7oJ5DZaI/AAAAAAAAAI4/88UCw8jzxyE/s400/shinko+collage+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Shinko made it to Maine on Thursday, June 21st. Spent
some his first evening getting to know the other family members who found him
very interesting! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Shinko didn't stay up too late that night though, he was
little tired from his travel to us and had to be up bright and early for the
big motorcycle weekend trip to NY with my husband Dennis.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They left Friday at 8am for a 5 hour ride and stopped along
the way. One of the best stops was Hogback Mountain in Vermont where
Shinko climbed around on a scenic railing taking in the sights. He had a
wonderful day in Pattersonville, NY taking in the sights and eating lots of
food. At the end of the day he was so wiped out and thought it was so
cool he was going to be sleeping in a tent, he insisted on a picture of him in
the tent! Sunday they start their ride back home to Maine and should
arrive back sometime in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-38412849167851160742012-06-15T10:41:00.001-04:002012-06-15T20:28:25.256-04:00Southern Maryland!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNFckvA10kU/T9vS92aCNWI/AAAAAAAAAIs/zHCIYZg-IGs/s1600/sock+monkey+doll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNFckvA10kU/T9vS92aCNWI/AAAAAAAAAIs/zHCIYZg-IGs/s320/sock+monkey+doll.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Dear Mom,<o:p></o:p></div>
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I made it here to Southern Maryland. I got a few boo boos on
the way here. Nothing a coupleband aids and kisses couldn't fix
though. This house is full of boys, its so exciting. I didn't get to
relax long after getting here before we were in the car and on our way to a
graduation party. I got to ride with Oliver in the car. It was a little bumpy
so he made sure to hold onto me tight so I didn't fall. The party was
a blast. I got to enjoy some red velvet cake for desert.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day we got to go feed some ducks. I rode on Logen's shoulders
just to be careful. Their Mom didn't want the ducks to mistake me for
a piece of bread. It was fun, I even got to see some fish that came up to eat
the bread that was floating in the water.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get to sleep at night in a bunk bed. Its really high from
the ground. The boys Mom told me I had to be careful and not monkey around so
that I didn't fall out of the bed. I am having a great time. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miss you,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shinko<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div>
<em style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>_________________________________________________</strong></em></div>
<div>
<em><em><strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shinko is being hosted in Maryland right now. Check out the host Mom's shop, <a href="http://www.fluffnstuffbaby.com/" target="_blank">Fluff-N-Stuff Baby</a>,</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></strong></em></em>Southern Maryland's one stop for cloth diapers and natural parenting products. Or check it out on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BabyFluffNStuff" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.</em></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></em></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Etsy: </span><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">AsYouWishCreations4u</a></span></em></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-30686038779890611992012-06-15T01:08:00.002-04:002012-06-15T01:11:37.363-04:00Chillin' in the Calm of Early Morning<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSVpqabVh9g/T9rDuh_z6UI/AAAAAAAAAIg/O8Sr8LeE6Os/s1600/Shinko's+morning+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSVpqabVh9g/T9rDuh_z6UI/AAAAAAAAAIg/O8Sr8LeE6Os/s320/Shinko's+morning+coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Dear Mom,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is my last day here in Baltimore before I go to my new
host family. I decided to spend the morning in the sunroom, enjoying the
peace and quiet before everyone gets up and moving. This is a crazy household!
They are always doing something so it’s nice to have a little time for
myself. I’ve had a great time with the Baltimore Monkeys and all
their friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They want me to tell you that I was a perfect guest and that
I’m welcome to visit any time. I know you miss me as much as I miss you
but thank you for sending me on this adventure!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See you soon,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shinko<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>__________________________________________________</strong><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Maryland right now.</strong></em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.</em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Etsy: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AsYouWishCreations4u</span></a></em></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-16402695503862428402012-06-11T19:52:00.000-04:002012-06-11T19:52:21.778-04:00Shinko: Mail Carrier Assistant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNhQ3TZ_XLM/T9aEePavd0I/AAAAAAAAAIU/UXxSOIm_dpY/s1600/Traveling+in+Style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNhQ3TZ_XLM/T9aEePavd0I/AAAAAAAAAIU/UXxSOIm_dpY/s320/Traveling+in+Style.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dear Mom,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know how when I travel from host family to host family,
I always have to travel in an envelope in the back of a mail truck? Well
today I got to travel in style and deliver some mail with my host family’s
neighbor! She is a mail carrier and stopped by the house just so I could
ride with her. She thought since I spent so much time riding in the back
that just this once I could have a different view.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was so much fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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See you soon,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shinko<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>__________________________________________________</strong><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Maryland right now.</strong></em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.</em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Etsy: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AsYouWishCreations4u</span></a></em></span></div>
<br />Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-3862243090766789332012-06-10T13:10:00.001-04:002012-06-10T13:13:15.797-04:00Good Times in Baltimore<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6t3e4zBjyg/T9TUzek8ZdI/AAAAAAAAAIE/InRuwhybJ2g/s1600/collage+baltimore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6t3e4zBjyg/T9TUzek8ZdI/AAAAAAAAAIE/InRuwhybJ2g/s400/collage+baltimore.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Dear Mom,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What a weekend!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday night in Baltimore was crazy – at least eight
tornadoes in the area! – but don’t worry, none close to where I was. We
decided to stay home and watch movies. I got to be in charge of the
popcorn. The dogs go crazy for it so I “accidentally” dropped some on the
floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday morning was beautiful so everyone decided to go
kayaking on Chesapeake Bay. Here’s a picture of me getting a safety
lesson before we went on the water. I had a great time waving at all the
other boaters and even managed to stay dry!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Saturday night we went to Frederick, Maryland. I
played with my new friend, Colton (thanks to Liam for all of his hide-and-seek
tips!), and then we left the boys home so we could have a girl’s night
out. Adelyn offered to share her food with me because her mom
brought…..bananas! I like popcorn a lot better than baby food but it was
a nice gesture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I was so wiped out from all the fun on Saturday that I spent
Sunday lounging on the deck. Don’t worry, I used SPF50 sunscreen!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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See you soon,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shinko<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>__________________________________________________</strong><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Maryland right now.</strong></em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.</em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Etsy: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AsYouWishCreations4u</span></a></div>
</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-18452937444292480762012-06-04T00:58:00.004-04:002012-06-04T01:00:50.486-04:00Magic in Baltimore<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdjMkOz5m7k/T8xASUdhVpI/AAAAAAAAAHw/M4ihFGlYzxw/s1600/Shinko1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdjMkOz5m7k/T8xASUdhVpI/AAAAAAAAAHw/M4ihFGlYzxw/s1600/Shinko1.png" /></a></div>
Dear Mom,<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You must have worked some awesome magic in Baltimore!
I went from staying with Liam and his family to staying with their friend and
her two “monkeys”, Seamus and Finnegan. I didn’t even have to travel in
an envelope to get there <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZiinK73Glk/T8xASwEpFOI/AAAAAAAAAH4/2sZz4VqVo3k/s1600/Shinko2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZiinK73Glk/T8xASwEpFOI/AAAAAAAAAH4/2sZz4VqVo3k/s1600/Shinko2.png" /></a>Finnegan works really hard to be good and his first picture
with me was a little blurry because he wanted to say hi. He’s still a
puppy. Seamus showed him how to pose so we finally got this great shot of
the three of us. After the photo shoot, the boys took me to their favorite
park and taught me how to go down the slide like they do. I even got to
meet some of their other friends. Since I was new, they did a lot of
sniffing but it seems I passed their test. One even brought me a stick to
play with (I have to say, I don’t really understand why dogs are so fascinated
with sticks but I was polite and threw it for her).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Can’t wait to see what else these guys have planned for me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shinko<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<em style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>_________________________________________________</strong></em></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Maryland right now. </strong></em></span></em></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.</em></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></em></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em></em></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Etsy: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AsYouWishCreations4u</span></a></em></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-26218568120386673832012-06-04T00:54:00.000-04:002012-06-04T00:54:05.731-04:00Shinko In Baltimore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WbxRTrC0B0/T8w-BL-lIEI/AAAAAAAAAHY/4LYXmkd_KZ4/s1600/Shinko%2BPaints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WbxRTrC0B0/T8w-BL-lIEI/AAAAAAAAAHY/4LYXmkd_KZ4/s320/Shinko%2BPaints.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_E-TLdzWKQ/T8w-pAyMOwI/AAAAAAAAAHo/3jQee60kSKo/s1600/Shinko+Smiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_E-TLdzWKQ/T8w-pAyMOwI/AAAAAAAAAHo/3jQee60kSKo/s320/Shinko+Smiles.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Dear Mom-
Me again.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kWLIgtPv8E/T8w-mCrv-6I/AAAAAAAAAHg/lEcqipuvPjo/s1600/Shinko+Rides+To+School.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kWLIgtPv8E/T8w-mCrv-6I/AAAAAAAAAHg/lEcqipuvPjo/s320/Shinko+Rides+To+School.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a> As I've said, I'm having a great time here in Baltimore. There is lots to do and see with my new buddy Liam outside the house. But, we've also had a ton of fun inside.<br />
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His family is in the process of painting the entire inside of their house and they let me help which was a lot of fun. I was really careful to make sure that I didn't get any on me.<br />
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I also got the chance to go with Liam to school. We were all smiles and giggles and we had a great time on the way. I also got to ride in his carseat on the way back to pick him up, it was so comfy and I loved being able to surprise him.<br />
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We have had such an amazing week together and I'm sad to go. Liam and his mamma knows the next host mamma and they say she's really awesome. She has two dogs and I can't wait to have a great time with her too.
I can't wait to meet my next host mom.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
can't wait to meet my next host mom. If you want to check out more about Liam's
mom, Alissa, you can find her at</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a avglsprocessed="1" href="http://clevercompass.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">CleverCompass.com</span></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">,
on</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a avglsprocessed="1" href="http://twitter.com/alissaenders" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter</span></a></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></span><a avglsprocessed="1" href="http://facebook.com/clevercompass" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
Love-
ShinkoSock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-70845745931839282672012-05-29T22:36:00.003-04:002012-05-29T22:51:05.001-04:00Shinko Likes To Play<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUHGUVb7QEM/T8WB9RtdGCI/AAAAAAAAAHI/nxNeHeXCRtA/s1600/Shinko+with+Chalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUHGUVb7QEM/T8WB9RtdGCI/AAAAAAAAAHI/nxNeHeXCRtA/s200/Shinko+with+Chalk.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzUrg7yPWso/T8WB3CrAA9I/AAAAAAAAAHA/X5RmJAYJ0Qc/s1600/Shinko+and+his+Monkey+Friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzUrg7yPWso/T8WB3CrAA9I/AAAAAAAAAHA/X5RmJAYJ0Qc/s200/Shinko+and+his+Monkey+Friend.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6YxAAdQWRM/T8WBp-x6hwI/AAAAAAAAAGo/wYhjMl3X784/s1600/Shinko+Peek+A+Boo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6YxAAdQWRM/T8WBp-x6hwI/AAAAAAAAAGo/wYhjMl3X784/s200/Shinko+Peek+A+Boo.jpg" width="150" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiHUxLjnjF8/T8WBT1vEgJI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/VlMdMlpxMMI/s1600/Shinko+Hides+in+A+Bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiHUxLjnjF8/T8WBT1vEgJI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/VlMdMlpxMMI/s200/Shinko+Hides+in+A+Bush.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Dear Mom-<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pw3qnAP2_RQ/T8WBiKPzEBI/AAAAAAAAAGY/zH2-viBKmco/s1600/Shinko+Climbs+A+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pw3qnAP2_RQ/T8WBiKPzEBI/AAAAAAAAAGY/zH2-viBKmco/s200/Shinko+Climbs+A+Tree.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
My travels to Baltimore were uneventful. I had a
great time checking out all the different post offices on my way there. I had a
great time waiting in Baltimore for Liam and his family to come get me. Their
mailbox is tiny, but I just grabbed myself some bubble wrap and took a nice nap.<br />
<br />
The wait was well worth it, because I just loved
hearing how happy Liam was to have me visit for a week. He's an only child and
I just loved every part of being his baby brother this week. He taught be all
about his love for playing and for being outside. We played endless games of
hide-and-seek (I've really gotten good at counting.), how to climb a tree, and
I had a ton of fun with chalk. I had myself traced and even drew a flag with my
tail!<br />
<br />
I've had a really great time so far in Baltimore.
I can't wait to tell you more about it soon. If you want to check out more
about my host mom, Alissa, you can find her at<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><a avglsprocessed="1" href="http://clevercompass.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">CleverCompass.com</span></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">, on<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span><a avglsprocessed="1" href="http://twitter.com/alissaenders" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span><a avglsprocessed="1" href="http://facebook.com/clevercompass"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook</span></a><br />
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Love-<br />
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Shinko<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-21739350940684464402012-04-30T18:08:00.001-04:002012-04-30T18:08:40.460-04:00Learning about Community Caring<br />
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"Shinko came along to our local Culver's restaurant tonight.
We usually do a monthly fundraiser there to collect money for our home and
school board, but tonight's fundraiser was for a 12 year old boy named
Eric. <br />
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Eric was at baseball practice last
week when he was struck in the neck with a ball. Sadly, Eric passed away the
day after the accident. Our wonderful community came out in full force tonight
to show support to Eric and his family. Culver's is donating a portion of the
entire days proceeds to Eric's family to help lessen any financial worries they
may have. <br />
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I was told by our sweet waitress that the restaurant was packed all
day long! The district had a half day today so it was a steady stream of
students from our community throughout the whole day. It's pretty chilly today
so nobody was eating outside. It was standing room only inside the doors, and
the drive thru was wrapped around the parking lot at least twice with many many
more cars in surrounding lots waiting to pull in. Such a heartbreaking loss, but I am so proud
of my community." <i> ~Nikki, host Mom</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Illinois right now, with his third host family. Check out the host Mom's lovely shop for some unique gifts for all ages at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamNColor" target="_blank">DreamNColor</a> and follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dream.n.color1" target="_blank">DreamNColor on Facebook.</a></strong></em></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.</em></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Etsy: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AsYouWishCreations4u</span></a></em></span></div>
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</div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-79341257649442408102012-04-26T22:25:00.000-04:002012-04-26T22:27:23.700-04:00Shinko in Illinois Shinko is awesome! We are loving his visit with us. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4gwhGloYYw/T5oBK7l-T-I/AAAAAAAAAFI/NeYOiL2woB0/s1600/shinko+as+you+wish+creations+sock+monkey+doll+plush+sock+monkey+sock+animal+rainbow+flat+stanley+traveling+monkey+homemade+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4gwhGloYYw/T5oBK7l-T-I/AAAAAAAAAFI/NeYOiL2woB0/s320/shinko+as+you+wish+creations+sock+monkey+doll+plush+sock+monkey+sock+animal+rainbow+flat+stanley+traveling+monkey+homemade+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Matylin and Kaylin wouldn't stop fighting over him at first, so we decided they would each get a day with him, and flip flop through the week.<br />
He had a great time at the library!!! Helped Matylin pick out some really great books. I couldn't pull either one of them away from a fascinating book about the Wright brothers. When I said it was time to go, Shinko and Matylin disappeared, but I found them tucked away in the reading cubby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifL5J7Mut5I/T5oBPmx7SPI/AAAAAAAAAFw/taLarppiJXA/s1600/shinko+as+you+wish+creations+sock+monkey+doll+plush+sock+monkey+sock+animal+rainbow+flat+stanley+traveling+monkey+homemade+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifL5J7Mut5I/T5oBPmx7SPI/AAAAAAAAAFw/taLarppiJXA/s320/shinko+as+you+wish+creations+sock+monkey+doll+plush+sock+monkey+sock+animal+rainbow+flat+stanley+traveling+monkey+homemade+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading about the Wright Brothers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDtabaq9yQs/T5oBO6JpfBI/AAAAAAAAAFo/p3k1nsr3RnI/s1600/shinko+as+you+wish+creations+sock+monkey+doll+plush+sock+monkey+sock+animal+rainbow+flat+stanley+traveling+monkey+homemade+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDtabaq9yQs/T5oBO6JpfBI/AAAAAAAAAFo/p3k1nsr3RnI/s320/shinko+as+you+wish+creations+sock+monkey+doll+plush+sock+monkey+sock+animal+rainbow+flat+stanley+traveling+monkey+homemade+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOUND in the reading cubby!</td></tr>
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Unfortunately Kaylin has been having some pain in her lower back, so we had to go to the doctor. Shinko LOVED all the cool tools in the room, he couldn't stop playing with them! When the doctor started to come in he froze by the blood pressure cuff. He said later that he was hoping the doctor wouldn't notice him. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving his love and support...</td></tr>
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We made a trip to hospital as well for some lab work. I asked him to stay home and keep an eye on Simon (our big fat cat), but he was so worried for Kaylin that he managed to sneak into her bag. He is a pretty tricky monkey. So he kept the girls giggling while we waited for our turn. <br />
<br />
We've got lots of work to do in the studio this week and Shinko is being very helpful. He has quite an eye for color! <br />
<br />
We're super excited for Sunday to get here because Matylin and Kaylin's Aunt Dawn is running in her first marathon, and we're all going to cheer her on!<br />
<br />
I'll write again soon! Shinko told Kaylin he misses you very much!!!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>__________________________________________________</strong><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Illinois right now, with his third host family. Check out the host Mom's lovely shop for some unique gifts for all ages at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamNColor" target="_blank">DreamNColor</a> and follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dream.n.color1" target="_blank">DreamNColor on Facebook.</a> </strong></em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Etsy: </em></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>AsYouWishCreations4u</em></span></a></div>
</em></span>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-71151621561306466232012-04-23T16:16:00.004-04:002012-04-23T16:16:49.031-04:00Dear MomDear Mom, <br />
<br />
I'm enjoying my last morning here in Ohio. I have had a wonderful time. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2X_dMaPrpQ/T5W330LiHyI/AAAAAAAAAEs/eRE_ByacoLg/s1600/shinko1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2X_dMaPrpQ/T5W330LiHyI/AAAAAAAAAEs/eRE_ByacoLg/s320/shinko1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Saturday, Neacel had his first soccer game, and they won. Then we all went and got some hot cocoa. I didn't love it to be honest. Saturday the weather was yucky so we relaxed at the house, but relaxing always has to come with something sweet, so we made some Triple Chocolate Muffins. A perfect game of hide and go seek to go with the muffins. I kept hiding in the toy box, I blended in perfectly and no one could ever find me. I am really good at hide and go seek. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhTH3F2UVkM/T5W37DofpCI/AAAAAAAAAE0/__Urdn0GAZQ/s1600/shinko2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhTH3F2UVkM/T5W37DofpCI/AAAAAAAAAE0/__Urdn0GAZQ/s320/shinko2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My week was so much fun. Tons of playing and site seeing. Plenty of sweets thanks to a pregnant moms cravings, and I made some pretty great friends. Looking forward to my next adventure in Illinois! <br />
<br />Missing you!<br />
Love, <br />
Shinko <br />
<br />
____________________________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is now leaving his host family in Ohio right now. You can learn more about the host family and learn more about "raising boys, staying sane, finding deals, freebies, giveaways and more" at the host Mom, Mandy's, blog </strong></em></span><a href="http://raisingdudes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Raising Little Dudes</strong></em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>.</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Etsy: </em></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>AsYouWishCreations4u</em></span></a></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-65093102374749101652012-04-23T15:52:00.001-04:002012-04-23T15:52:13.994-04:00Nature Reserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obtI7fAP9ro/T5WyvQwOqaI/AAAAAAAAAEk/MbgMOh66voA/s1600/nature+reserve" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obtI7fAP9ro/T5WyvQwOqaI/AAAAAAAAAEk/MbgMOh66voA/s1600/nature+reserve" /></a></div>
<em>Shinko recently visited a nature reserve with his host family in Ohio!</em><br />
<br />
"We have been trying to keep Shinko busy and show him everything we can in the
area. We went on a little "hike" as Neacel calls it. It's really just a paved
walk at a nature reserve, either way its really pretty. Shinko was a little
concerned about other animals there, but we only ran into a dog...." <br />
<br />Please read the rest of the story and see more pictures at <a href="http://raisingdudes.blogspot.com/2012/04/nature-reserve-with-shinko.html" target="_blank">Raising Dudes</a>.<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>____________________________________________________________________________</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Ohio right now, with his second host family. You can learn more about the host family and learn more about "raising boys, staying sane, finding deals, freebies, giveaways and more" at the host Mom, Mandy's, blog </strong></em></span><a href="http://raisingdudes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Raising Little Dudes</strong></em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>.</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Etsy: </em></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>AsYouWishCreations4u</em></span></a></div>
</em></span>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-23090872941448774632012-04-18T22:20:00.000-04:002012-04-18T22:57:21.985-04:00I Love Ohio!Dear Mom,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLVGoW4O1B0/T492MjAB94I/AAAAAAAAAEc/FY_V4LvJRLk/s1600/shinko+in+ohio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLVGoW4O1B0/T492MjAB94I/AAAAAAAAAEc/FY_V4LvJRLk/s320/shinko+in+ohio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hi from Ohio!<br />
Mom this place is pretty cool! I got to go on a train ride. It was longer than expected, but we got to see the conductor and everything. He was really nice. We have gone to the park, played with toys, rode bikes (well not me personally but Neacel held on to me), and they are planning a fun picnic with the other animals in Neacel's room. <br />
<br />Tomorrow we are going into Akron to see Neacel's friend Hugh. I heard he has drums that I can play, and a sandbox full of rice. How neat is that? Tonight I got to go watch Neacel practice soccer. He has his first game on Saturday and I'm so excited to go. <br />
<br />
Neacel's little brother Brody is pretty nice too. He doesn't talk, but I get a ton of hugs from him. He does scream at Neacel though when Neacel tries to get me back. :0)<br />
<br />
I miss you, but I want you to know I'm having a blast here. <br />
<br />
Miss you tons<br />
xoxo, Shinko<br />
<br />
PS. I hope you like the picture. I was able to act like a train conductor for a few minutes. I will send you some more pictures and another letter soon... Oh, and you can read more details about my train ride at my host Mom's blog, <a href="http://raisingdudes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Raising Little Dudes</a>.<br />
____________________________________________________________________________<br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Shinko is being hosted in Ohio right now, with his second host family. You can learn more about the host family and learn more about "raising boys, staying sane, finding deals, freebies, giveaways and more" at the host Mom, Mandy's, blog </strong></em></span><a href="http://raisingdudes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Raising Little Dudes</strong></em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>.</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em></span><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></a><em>, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Facebook: </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>As You Wish Creations</em></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On Etsy: </em></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>AsYouWishCreations4u</em></span></a></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-68430646307969893472012-04-13T23:58:00.000-04:002012-04-13T23:58:03.215-04:00Ultimate Blog Party 2012: Meet Shinko!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/51797/ultimate-blog-party-2012/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2012" src="http://www.5minutesformom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/UBP400x100.jpg" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2012" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNmU9OMYDLM/T4jyAhZMqbI/AAAAAAAAAEA/LyJJisxmnUk/s1600/Shinko+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNmU9OMYDLM/T4jyAhZMqbI/AAAAAAAAAEA/LyJJisxmnUk/s320/Shinko+003.JPG" width="320" /></a><em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ultimate Blog Party Guests!</span></strong><br />
</em>
<span class="GAGKWCJGM"><span class="GAGKWCJEUB">Sock Monkey Trails features sock
monkeys from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">As You Wish Creations</a> on the adventure of a lifetime - traveling
across the country in search of new experiences! Host families take care of a
cute little -and maybe a little mischievous- sock monkey while taking him/her on
the daily adventures we call life. Here you will see and read about all the
adventures!</span></span><br />
<br />
At Sock Monkey Trails you can follow in the
footsteps of your favorite little stuffed monkey... Is he taking a hike
this week? Did he go to story time at the library? Is he hangin' around the
monkey bars at the playground? Whatever this little sock monkey is doing, he is
making the most of it, enjoying himself to the fullest, and always saying
"cheeeezze" with a BIG smile when he's in front of the camera! Sock monkeys
from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #663399;">As You Wish Creations</span></a> always love a great adventure - large or
small outing - they are going to have fun! And they're sure to make you smile
too when you see them having fun!<br />
<br />
Want to know the best part of this Sock
Monkey Trails adventure? You can have a sock monkey visit you too... and you
can take him (or her) on all your adventures for a week and share with everyone,
through this blog, what you two did together - what your adventures were and how
the monkey liked it! And we hope you'll take pictures to share as
well!<br />
<br />
Are you ready to host a monkey? Read more about it on the <a href="http://sockmonkeytrails.blogspot.com/p/expectations-of-hosting.html" target="_blank">Hosting</a> page and <a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com" target="_blank">email me</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtOeTO7FNUo/T4jydXBd84I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/9VMC6mSiT3c/s1600/Shinko+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtOeTO7FNUo/T4jydXBd84I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/9VMC6mSiT3c/s320/Shinko+009.JPG" width="320" /></em></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMkNY9jcpac/T4jyG6ILv3I/AAAAAAAAAEI/vYWiJ55TAkM/s1600/Shinko+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMkNY9jcpac/T4jyG6ILv3I/AAAAAAAAAEI/vYWiJ55TAkM/s320/Shinko+019.JPG" width="240" /></em></a><em> </em>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-25828890925997109452012-04-13T23:26:00.000-04:002012-04-13T23:30:13.005-04:00Dear Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1mZKZFcewn0/T4jtDFC_ozI/AAAAAAAAADw/0abPnFA-meI/s1600/IMG_6997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1mZKZFcewn0/T4jtDFC_ozI/AAAAAAAAADw/0abPnFA-meI/s320/IMG_6997.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Dear Mom, <br />
We were on our way to the post office this morning so that I could be on my way to my next adventure when I got a really bad pain in my leg, Jenni took one look at me and knew right away I would need stitches. They didn't hurt much, and I was very brave. They asked if I needed a band-aid, but I said no, I wanted them to know I was tough. <br />
<br />
Talk soon, <br />
Love Shinko<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae1BPFcBWlg/T4jtG5Slp6I/AAAAAAAAAD4/_8y2LyMt6uo/s1600/IMG_6996-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae1BPFcBWlg/T4jtG5Slp6I/AAAAAAAAAD4/_8y2LyMt6uo/s200/IMG_6996-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Oh no, Shinko! </em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have decided, in the interest of product improvement, to bring Shinko home before his next adventure. He will come home for reconstruction and will head back on out to his next adventure in the days to come.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (he will be an all-new, new and improved Shinko!)</span></em>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-16279477068734741902012-04-06T17:52:00.006-04:002012-04-06T17:52:58.102-04:00UPDATE!It seems that Shinko is getting into more things than just the hanging birthday banner... See more of him at <a href="http://www.mmcoffee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Monday Morning Coffee</em></span></a>! UNBELIEVABLE! I did say he was a bit curious... Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-49143149060275471892012-04-06T07:53:00.000-04:002012-04-06T17:46:39.705-04:00Love, ShinkoAwww! Shinko wrote a letter to me. I am so happy to hear directly from him and want to share it with you:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGKstLsTUdc/T37bvbJuyDI/AAAAAAAAADo/0C5_v7_Nymc/s1600/IMG_6975cw+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shinko hanging from the birthday banner." border="0" height="156" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGKstLsTUdc/T37bvbJuyDI/AAAAAAAAADo/0C5_v7_Nymc/s400/IMG_6975cw+edited.jpg" title="sock monkey doll birthday boy plush stuffed animal flat stanley traveling monkey" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh BOY! I sure hope Shinko isn't making too much trouble for his host family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<em>Dear Mom, </em><br />
<em>Thank you so much for sending me out to Colorado. I am having a lot of fun playing with the kids, their dogs and especially their toys! Just the other day I found a fun, colorful birthday banner that I could swing on, it made the children laugh when they saw me! I hope that you are having a good week, I miss you!</em><br />
<em> Love, <br /> Shinko</em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><br />Shinko is being hosted in Colorado right now, with his very first host family. You can learn more about the host family and check out some great recipes, photography and reviews/giveaways at the host Mom, Jenni's, blog </em></span><a href="http://www.mmcoffee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Monday Morning Coffee</em></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>. You might even find more about Shinko's visit there!</em></span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </span></em><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><em><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</span></em></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em> to get the process started. </em><em>SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As You Wish Creations</span></a></em><em></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>On Etsy: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a;">AsYouWishCreations4u</span></a></em></span></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-15650354627871831972012-04-05T10:44:00.000-04:002012-04-05T10:59:25.616-04:00Bananas and Legos<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PO9oI55e_rM/T32soa7S8OI/AAAAAAAAADQ/fbLgHVw0pU0/s1600/IMG_6833cw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PO9oI55e_rM/T32soa7S8OI/AAAAAAAAADQ/fbLgHVw0pU0/s320/IMG_6833cw.jpg" width="221" /></a>Devin, Shinko's very first host, wrote in about his arrival. Apparently, he has learned something new...<br />
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"I think that when Shinko first arrived he was a bit nervous and scared to be in a new place, but I was so excited and I could not believe that we were his first host family. As soon as he settled in from his travels we got right to playing legos. Then he asked for a banana, so my mom had to run to the store to get some!! He asked to play legos again, he is really good at building creations. I am really having a good time with Shinko."<br />
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<em>~Devin</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shinko is being hosted in Colorado right now, with his very first host family. You can learn more about the host family and check out some great recipes, photography and reviews/giveaways at the host Mom, Jenni's, blog </span><a href="http://www.mmcoffee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday Morning Coffee</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to
read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </span></em><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><em><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</span></em></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>
to get the process started. </em><em>SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog
of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating
lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As You Wish
Creations</span></a></em><em></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<em>On Etsy: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a222a;">AsYouWishCreations4u</span></a></em></span></div>
<br />Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-13717283734773356812012-03-28T14:04:00.003-04:002012-03-28T14:29:12.126-04:00Colorado BoundHello Everyone! Shinko asked me to post some photos for him from this morning before he left for Colorado. He is SOOO excited! He was a little nervous about the trip, but the nice lady at the post office soothed his fears by telling him what to expect... she promised they would all handle him with great care! Anyway, here are some photos...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okRioIKm2zw/T3NPhQWtsEI/AAAAAAAAACo/ue-YZWZVRTw/s1600/Shinko+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okRioIKm2zw/T3NPhQWtsEI/AAAAAAAAACo/ue-YZWZVRTw/s400/Shinko+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shinko just before he was ready to leave NH this morning!</td></tr>
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Here Shinko is doing stretches to condition his muscles for the long, cramped ride to Colorado...<br />
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S T R E T C H............</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3aiJ-HjwYs/T3NQMrUwcQI/AAAAAAAAAC4/F7XWG0730v0/s1600/Shinko+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3aiJ-HjwYs/T3NQMrUwcQI/AAAAAAAAAC4/F7XWG0730v0/s320/Shinko+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At first Shinko just dove head first into his packaging... </div>
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I had to talk him into getting in in a bit more organized way...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGkAF44JTyk/T3NQSjbbD0I/AAAAAAAAADA/Lbxklp5PzMw/s1600/Shinko+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGkAF44JTyk/T3NQSjbbD0I/AAAAAAAAADA/Lbxklp5PzMw/s320/Shinko+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shinko saying his final good-bye's to </div>
our family and New Hampshire...<br />
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a little sad, but so looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead. He's thrilled about all the new people he's going to meet and all the things he will get to see and do!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UqGizBvXl0/T3NQXZh1ShI/AAAAAAAAADI/D6t_tzrnDCE/s1600/Shinko+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UqGizBvXl0/T3NQXZh1ShI/AAAAAAAAADI/D6t_tzrnDCE/s320/Shinko+019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />You can learn more about Shinko's first host family on Jenni's blog, Monday Morning Coffee... <br /><a href="http://www.mmcoffee.blogspot.com/">www.mmcoffee.blogspot.com</a>.<br />
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<em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></a><em> to get the process started. </em><br />
<em>SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>On Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank">As You Wish Creations</a></em><em></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>On Etsy: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">AsYouWishCreations4u</a></em></div>
<br />Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-21934650232871732412012-03-27T21:55:00.002-04:002012-03-27T21:57:01.723-04:00Adventure Begins TOMORROW!I am sooo excited.... and I just can't hide it - hehe! I am taking a trip tomorrow - headed across country from my great home state of New Hampshire to COLORADO! YAY! I can't wait to get there and to meet my host family. I am going to have so much fun with Devin and his brothers... sounds like it's going to be a FUN week - and I hear I get to go to a Birthday party! Well, I'll be telling you all about it, I'm sure. <br />
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It's off to bed for me now (if I can sit still long enough to fall asleep)... I will be sure to take pics as I am heading out on my journey tomorrow and will ask Momma Monkey Lynda to load them for me after she sees me off. G'night all!<br />
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<em>If you would like to host Shinko in your home for a week, please be sure to read all the details on his blog pages here (tabs above) then email </em><a href="mailto:sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com"><em>sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com</em></a><em> to get the process started. </em><br />
<em>SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. </em><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>On Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/ASYOUWISHCREATIONS" target="_blank">As You Wish Creations</a></em><em></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>On Etsy: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AsYouWishCreations4u?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">AsYouWishCreations4u</a></em></div>Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148456113315389333.post-1192405247318874492012-03-23T17:46:00.003-04:002012-03-24T10:09:05.454-04:00Meet Shinko!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WL7XOUv2eA/T20CdRZe6qI/AAAAAAAAACg/roRJES1KVQE/s1600/001+meet+shinko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WL7XOUv2eA/T20CdRZe6qI/AAAAAAAAACg/roRJES1KVQE/s200/001+meet+shinko.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
Good Evening ladies and gents and kiddos of all ages! I would like to introduce myself to you... my name is Shinko, the rainbow monkey. I am on a mission ~ to visit the country - all of the US (and maybe international if I can convince the Momma Monkey to let me go international)! <br />
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But I need a little help. I am looking for host families to stay with for a week at a time ~ and to have adventures with. Doesn't have to be any super special adventures - just want to experience new activities and places. I would love to do just about anything with you all! <br />
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Does this sound like fun to you? Please read the informational tabs above for all the details and email us to let us know you're on board! I can't wait to start my trek. I hope to at least hit all 50 states - can you help??? I promise to be a good little monkey, although maybe a little curious (kinda like George, but I definitely won't make all the trouble that little guy does). hehe.<br />
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Hope to hear from you soon and I can't wait to find out my first destination!<br />
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NOTE: If you are not in the US, but are interested in having an adventure with a sibling of Shinko's, please email me at sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com. Please put 'International' in the subject line and let me know where you are located. If we get enough interest, we will start an international traveling monkey! :0)Sock Monkey Trailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11252068755069321138noreply@blogger.com0