Shinko Likes To Play

Dear Mom-

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.

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!

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 CleverCompass.com, on Twitterand Facebook

Love-

Shinko

Learning about Community Caring

"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.

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.

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."  ~Nikki, host Mom

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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 DreamNColor and follow DreamNColor on Facebook.

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

Shinko in Illinois

 Shinko is awesome! We are loving his visit with us. 

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.
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.

Reading about the Wright Brothers

FOUND in the reading cubby!

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.

Giving his love and support...

Hiding from the doctor.

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.

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! 

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!

I'll write again soon! Shinko told Kaylin he misses you very much!!!

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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 DreamNColor and follow DreamNColor on Facebook.

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I'm enjoying my last morning here in Ohio. I have had a wonderful time.

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.





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! 

Missing you!
Love,
Shinko

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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 Raising Little Dudes.

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

Nature Reserve

Shinko recently visited a nature reserve with his host family in Ohio!

"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...." 

Please read the rest of the story and see more pictures at Raising Dudes.
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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 Raising Little Dudes.

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

I Love Ohio!

Dear Mom,

Hi from Ohio!
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.

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.

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)

I miss you, but I want you to know I'm having a blast here.

Miss you tons
xoxo, Shinko

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, Raising Little Dudes.
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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 Raising Little Dudes.

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

Ultimate Blog Party 2012: Meet Shinko!

Welcome
Ultimate Blog Party Guests!
Sock 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 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!

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 As You Wish Creations 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!

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!

Are you ready to host a monkey? Read more about it on the Hosting page and email me.

 

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,
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.

Talk soon,
Love Shinko

Oh no, Shinko! 
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.
 (he will be an all-new, new and improved Shinko!)

UPDATE!

It seems that Shinko is getting into more things than just the hanging birthday banner...  See more of him at Monday Morning Coffee!  UNBELIEVABLE!  I did say he was a bit curious... 

Love, Shinko

Awww!  Shinko wrote a letter to me.  I am so happy to hear directly from him and want to share it with you:

Oh BOY!  I sure hope Shinko isn't making too much trouble for his host family!

Dear Mom,
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!
                              Love,
                                  Shinko
 

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 Monday Morning Coffee.  You might even find more about Shinko's visit there!

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started. SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

Bananas and Legos

Devin, Shinko's very first host, wrote in about his arrival. Apparently, he has learned something new...

"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."

~Devin

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 Monday Morning Coffee.

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started.  SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

Colorado Bound

Hello 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...

Shinko just before he was ready to leave NH this morning!

Here Shinko is doing stretches to condition his muscles for the long, cramped ride to Colorado...

S   T   R   E   T   C   H............

At first Shinko just dove head first into his packaging...

I had to talk him into getting in in a bit more organized way...

Shinko saying his final good-bye's to

our family and New Hampshire...

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!

You can learn more about Shinko's first host family on Jenni's blog, Monday Morning Coffee... 
www.mmcoffee.blogspot.com.

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started.
SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom-owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko.

On Facebook: As You Wish Creations

On Etsy: AsYouWishCreations4u

Adventure 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. 

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!

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 sockmonkeytrails@gmail.com to get the process started. 
SockMonkeyTrails.blogspot.com is a blog of As You Wish Creations, a Mom owned small business specializing in creating lovable sock monkeys like Shinko. 

On Facebook:  As You Wish Creations

On Etsy:  AsYouWishCreations4u

Meet Shinko!

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)!

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!

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.

Hope to hear from you soon and I can't wait to find out my first destination!

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)