I got the wish list!

[secretlyevil]

Dec 17, 2013 21:44:40 GMT -5 sushi said:

So far we have 355 cash. Every child has received something. 12 items left on amazon.

Wow, that is just jaw-dropping amazing.

[Deleted]

Dec 17, 2013 13:47:37 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

Dec 17, 2013 11:03:56 GMT -5 y4m said:

What's the status on this? How are we doing at getting through the list?

Here's what I understand is left to buy by CEP from the wish-list:



Also to avoid the shipping to HI issue and arriving on time, I just had some items ready at KMart about 20-min from sushi so she could pick-up.  They still have some of these items in stock there if someone else wants to do that.

Looking at list--one concern--unless the 11 year old stated a bike size, I think she needs a bigger one.

That is about the age kids need adult bikes. Maybe a 24" as opposed to 26" but she will probably be too big for a 20" now or almost immediately.

[doxies]

Dec 17, 2013 21:44:40 GMT -5 sushi said:

I'm a little confused about one gift. There's a doll that says wants 1 has 2. Is that a glitch? I think I only requested one, and so far I've received one.

I think that must be my fault - I just purchased a doll yesterday because it said it was unpurchased, but maybe it was already purchased elsewhere and didn't come off the list.  Can you find it a home - it looks like it should be there by Tuesday.

[downtoearth]

Dec 18, 2013 10:18:09 GMT -5 doxies said:

Dec 17, 2013 21:44:40 GMT -5 sushi said:

I'm a little confused about one gift. There's a doll that says wants 1 has 2. Is that a glitch? I think I only requested one, and so far I've received one.

I think that must be my fault - I just purchased a doll yesterday because it said it was unpurchased, but maybe it was already purchased elsewhere and didn't come off the list.  Can you find it a home - it looks like it should be there by Tuesday.

sushi - that's also the doll from KMart that you are picking up from my order, so feel free to return that right there and get the $ or buy another gift in the store if you can.  I don't mind at all and it's easily returned if you're there.  I'll e-mail my phone number if they need any confirmation of info that you're the one.

[secretlyevil]

Is anyone else stalking the wish list daily to see it slowly dwindle away? Or is it just me?

[crazytalk]

Dec 19, 2013 9:52:21 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Is anyone else stalking the wish list daily to see it slowly dwindle away? Or is it just me?

yes. I am so amazingly happy about what we've all done here.  

sushi, I hope you got the package I sent? I can't find my tracking info to check on it. 

[sushi]

At this point I assume no one will purchase from the wish list just due to shipping. So I'll probably fulfill the rest on my own with the PayPal donations and what I've convinced local friends to contribute.

Crazytalk, I remember you sent something you got on your own, either a leap pad or helicopter. Those are the only items i remember people saying they already had. Regardless, I've received both.

[crazytalk]

yes, I was the leappad sushi. Thanks for doing all this!!! Did I mention, you rock?

(gift)  (high5)  <)  :drink:

[secretlyevil]

sushi, were you able to take care of the rest of the wish list with the PayPal donations?

[sushi]

I fulfilled most if the rest of the list yesterday with PayPal (yes we child free folks braved stores at Xmas). I have a couple local friends who said they'd donate, and h and I will contribute the rest of it.

The one thing I can't find is zhu zhu the pretty hamster, and someone donated specifically for that. Suggestions? We don't have a toys r us in the state.

[secretlyevil]

Dec 22, 2013 15:30:06 GMT -5 sushi said:

I fulfilled most if the rest of the list yesterday with PayPal (yes we child free folks braved stores at Xmas). I have a couple local friends who said they'd donate, and h and I will contribute the rest of it.

The one thing I can't find is zhu zhu the pretty hamster, and someone donated specifically for that. Suggestions? We don't have a toys r us in the state.

Ummmmm... I haven't any idea. I'm assuming you tried Target and the dreaded Walmart? Any local toy stores?

[sushi]

I've been to target and Kmart. No one knows what I'm talking about.

[secretlyevil]

sushi - I could order one from amazon but I need you to either add it back to the wish list or pm me your address.

[twotrue]

sushi - will you please pm me your paypal. I know I'm way late but I'd like to contribute.

sent by phone

[sushi]

Guys, I'm so excited. I have a mini update.

The org came to pick up what I had wrapped today (not done shopping yet). They expected only 1 item for each kid. They were over the moon. Some of these kids are apparently in foster care, and these will be their only gifts.

They also were thrilled everything seemed new (it all was). One of the directors grew up in foster care and was telling me how awful it was to only get used gifts. I told her some of the contributors experienced the same so wanted to send nice stuff.

The girl who got the iPad is a mom. She has also lost her mom. And then her grandma. So huge thank you to as for providing that.

They will give me pictures of some of the kids.

[meshaliuknits]

The update makes me happy.

Sent from my EVO

[pamela]

That's great!

[secretlyevil]

Great, I'm already teary-eyed on a Monday morning. Thanks Obama, pixy0stix and now sushi too!

[Deleted]

Dec 22, 2013 21:10:24 GMT -5 sushi said:

Guys, I'm so excited. I have a mini update.

The org came to pick up what I had wrapped today (not done shopping yet). They expected only 1 item for each kid. They were over the moon. Some of these kids are apparently in foster care, and these will be their only gifts.

They also were thrilled everything seemed new (it all was). One of the directors grew up in foster care and was telling me how awful it was to only get used gifts. I told her some of the contributors experienced the same so wanted to send nice stuff.

The girl who got the iPad is a mom. She has also lost her mom. And then her grandma. So huge thank you to as for providing that.

They will give me pictures of some of the kids.

Thanks for sharing:). Whenever I donate to stuff like this, I always really hope the kids like their stuff. Here it sounds like everyone was able to find pretty much all the kids asked for:)

Do most foster parents not buy kids presents? I guess that surprises me.

[secretlyevil]

sushi, did you take a pic of the loot? I wanna see the pile.

[sushi]

I do have before and after pics but for whatever reason the stupid app doesn't let me upload. I even reinstalled it just now.

stealthmom and rootbeerfloat came over Friday night to wrap. That's what the picture is from. Then I shopped on Saturday and yesterday, so there's a round 2 of presents.

I don't know what's normal for foster families. I got the impression some are very poor.

[laurenpetro]

Well I guess we're doing this next year then, aren't we? You can't do something awesome like this and then go back to being greedy little fuckers the next year.

[secretlyevil]

Dec 24, 2013 14:43:36 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

Well I guess we're doing this next year then, aren't we? You can't do something awesome like this and then go back to being greedy little fuckers the next year.

Volunteering to be next year's boots on the ground?

[secretlyevil]

Dec 24, 2013 13:52:20 GMT -5 sushi said:

I do have before and after pics but for whatever reason the stupid app doesn't let me upload. I even reinstalled it just now.

stealthmom and rootbeerfloat came over Friday night to wrap. That's what the picture is from. Then I shopped on Saturday and yesterday, so there's a round 2 of presents.

I don't know what's normal for foster families. I got the impression some are very poor.

Boo! For the app not letting you load pics.

[sushi]

Definitely we should do something similar next year. I'm the grinchiest grinch, and my heart has swelled so much. Plus, IMO, I'd rather PayPal or choose from a predesignated wish list to purchase because I'm lazy.

It's been a lot of work for me, but I'm happy to do so since I have ties to the org. I really truly love what they do. I go through more training with then next month. 2 full weekends. It's going to be intense.

I don't know where I'll be living next year (we're slated to move in July) so I'm happy to abdicate planning to someone else.

[rootbeerfloat]

It's too bad the pictures won't upload. It was really an impressive display of everyone's generosity.

[sushi]

Before


After



It was actually a bigger after I went shopping and got more stuff and bikes, but I didn't get a pic of that.

[secretlyevil]

Dec 24, 2013 19:35:04 GMT -5 sushi said:

Before


After



It was actually a bigger after I went shopping and got more stuff and bikes, but I didn't get a pic of that.

Oh wow, thanks sushi for all your hard work. So awesome!

[secretlyevil]

Oh, and thanks for helping with the wrapping stealthmom and rootbeerfloat!

[sushi]

Dec 26, 2013 11:18:41 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

That is so fucking awesome!!!! Definitely, this needs to be a CEP tradition.

Definitely.

I won't lie; it was a lot of work. But it was worth every second. I'm so glad you guys made this possible. As a child free person I loved shopping for toys and receiving packages. I even loved going to toys r us 2 days before Christmas. Really, the whole experience was great.

And there are more pics to come