When our kids were little their Grandma Murphy always had a crisp, new dollar bill for each of them when they visited. When I became a Grandma I decided to have fun surprises when I saw my grandchildren. My sister had given me a small Mary Kay cosmetic bag for my purse. It was black velvety with silver roses on it and a pretty tassel on the zipper pull. Thus was born Grandma's Magic Pouch!
When I visit them or they visit us, the Magic Pouch "appears" in Grandma's purse. It is so magical that when they are good, the Magic Pouch "creates" a special surprise for each of them. They love it! I buy small items of interest when I see them. For example, Lego figures, Disney Princesses, Fisher Price People, candy, little flashlights, bubbles, jewelry - there is no end to the ideas. When we go out to dinner I have something to keep them busy until dinner arrives. I put them together in sandwich bags in the bottom of my purse, when no one is looking I slip the toys out of the bag into the "Magic Pouch" in my purse. When one of them says "Grandma, can we check the Magic Pouch?" it is ready. Sometimes it is empty.
My son told me that one time on their long car trip from Chicago to Pennsylvania, his son was tired of being in the car and said "How far until we get to the Magic Pouch, Dad?"
As they got older, the Magic Pouch grew with them. Two of my Grandchildren are now 7 and 8 years old and reading. Suddenly, the Magic Pouch had a note in it instead of a toy. The note says "GO TO THE LIVING ROOM COUCH" there another note "GO TO MILE'S BED" then "GO TO THE TOP DRAWER IN THE SILVERWARE CHEST IN THE DINING ROOM" another note "GO TO TABLE ON BACK PORCH" where there is finally a large Magic Pouch surprise that is too large for the pouch... but best of all, they went on a treasure hunt! They love it and it makes very special memories.The Magic Pouch sent they up and downstairs, funny part is a parent must accompany them.
One time I sealed Star Wars Figures and Strawberry Shortcake figures in tin cans as a treasure hunt surprise. Got the idea from:http://www.ourbestbites.com/
My favorite Magic Pouch adventure happened last year when we went out to breakfast with the kids.
I put two gifts in a brown gift bag with handles. I wrote their names on the bag and hide it in the back of the car. After we were seated at the table, I said "Oh No, I left my purse in the car, be right back". No one paid any attention and I went out, got my purse and bag. I went to the hostess stand and asked her if she would please put the bag behind the stand until two children came up to ask for it, it is a surprise. Of course, she said yes.
After ordering breakfast, they were getting a little restless and asked if they could check the Magic Pouch. They alway take it out of my purse feel it all over to see if there is anything in it. This time the note told them to take their Daddy and go to the nice lady behind the stand by the front door and nicely ask her if there is anything behind the stand for them. The lady really got into and asked them their names. This time I surprised everyone, their parents, Grandpa, Aunt and of course my little angels.
Our Grandson took one of prizes to school for Show and Tell. As he was headed back to his seat, he stopped,
turned around and said;"Oh yeah, it came from my Grandma's "Magic Pouch."
Grandma's Magic Pouch is so much fun. Just when they get old enough to start questioning the Magic Pouch, "Does the Magic Pouch really make those toys?"etc. it re-invents itself and does a treasure hunt. I don't think they dare question it anymore, although Miles did ask how The Magic Pouch can type those notes.
When "The Magic Pouch" visit with the other Grandchildren, the pouch is larger because there are three children.
Next post I will tell how The Magic Pouch helped my Grandson with a problem at school.
