Treats by William - Made With a Pinch of Love

11/18/2025

Williams school is hosting a food drive to support the families in need at his school.

I took him shopping to be a part of it all. To be involved with choices.

He browsed the aisles looking for non perishables , deciding on quantity and whether the choice was appropriate.

This special event is not only helping him learn about perishable vs non perishable, continued budgeting skills, making good choices but most important, giving without receiving.

He knows what we receive from giving to those less fortunate than us is equal in value when your heart grows knowing you've helped someone else.

Today is Sports Day on the first day of Spirit week, therefore he's decked out in his official White Sox uniform bringing his offerings with him.

Proud of him for his achievements!

11/16/2025

William would love for you watch the making of his Halloween ensemble!

Enjoy!!

Check out treatsbywilliam20’s post.

11/16/2025

William is Autistic.

His special interest is cars. Basically his life is cars!

My good friend Jeff sent me this flyer a few weeks ago. He’s so thoughtful with William. Jeff often sends car show events and we are so grateful.

We had other plans for today while our event was run by our super star helpers Sarah and Camille.

Those plans were postponed so we had the opportunity to visit this Hot Wheels event.

Williams smile brightened the room as he carefully scanned each of 60 vendor tables, haggled prices and was gifted 10 cars from an $8 purchase! He was dumbfounded at the kindness.

Some amazing men with common interests excited to talk cars, make deals and see the happy faces of their purchasers.

William was so responsible with his allowance money. Being careful not to spend it all, or too much, on his own.

He’s come a long way with making serious decisions with so many choices that used to cause overwhelm.

On the ride home, several times, he said, ” I had so much fun, I couldn’t stop smiling!”

At home, he carefully unwrapped every car lining them up by year for a photo.

He then grabbed his “garage” and placed them all, ever so carefully, each one in a specific spot, to admire at a whim.

Williams interactions with his beloved cars are always set up in scenarios as he’d like to see them displayed to be admired and remain unmoved.

We were given a schedule of where one of these shows are held from a vendor.

Ironically, they are held monthly 2 miles from our house! Guess where we’ll be going quite often?!

What are your special interests that just light up your life and wash away your worries like Williams?

11/15/2025

Time has slipped away for this reminder! However, it’s not too late!

TOMORROW!

We will have our products at The Lockport American Legion Fall Craft & Vendor Show - 9 to 3 - we’re in building B.

15052 Archer Avenue, Lockport

We have some GREAT holiday gifts available at a bargain for your fur babies, handmade vinyl p**p bag holders , our private label coffee and our full line of treats!!

Don’t have a pet? Gift a grand dog/cat, neighbor, friends fur babies, take to a holiday party for the hosts pets, etc etc etc

See our items in the photos and come to see us in person!! We look forward to seeing you!! 🧑‍🎄 🎄 🦴 🐱 🐶

11/11/2025

William is Autistic.

He attends a therapeutic day school for special needs individuals.

His classroom is “always cold”.

He knew I set these extra warmers on our toolbox in the garage.

“Can I take those hand warmers to school today?” he asked.

“There’s a teacher who’s colder than me. She brings a Paw Patrol blanket to school with her everyday. I’d like to give them to her.”

Through fighting back tears of pride, I said “of course you can and that’s the sweetest, most unselfish gesture. I’m
proud of you.”

William doesn’t do kind things for accolades.

He does it because he has a genuinely kind heart.

Everyone could take a page from his book and pay it forward.

11/11/2025

To my husband, brothers, friends and all who served, we honor you today and everyday.

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave”

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die”

11/08/2025

TODAY through SUNDAY - 25% OFF OUR ENTIRE BOITH!
Today from 10-8 is the painted trees Christmas open house offering many booths, hosting sales and specials, music, refreshments, and fun! Support small business on this gloomy day and get your Christmas shopping started early!

11/08/2025

TODAY through Sunday we’re offering 25% OFF our ENTIRE shop at The Painted Tree in Naperville!

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE 10-8!

Many booths are offering specials and discounts and we all have our holiday items available for early shopping !

Come on by on this gloomy day for music, refreshments, deals and fun!

11/07/2025

One month ago William began team bowling with the NWCSRA - The Northern Will County special recreation Association for special needs individuals. The weeks became increasingly frustrating as it was very difficult to find an ally ball that fit his large fingers in the weight that he needed. He also had a difficult time finding his shoe size and often had to wear a half size off. All of these inconveniences began to cause increasing sensory challenges, frustration, and near meltdowns as he was trying his very best to bowl well. We had promised that if he continued with bowling through the season through December and really liked it that we would buy him his own ball and shoes. However, two weeks ago it was heartbreaking to watch him crumble with each throw, causing discomfort, gutter balls, and losing confidence. We decided last week that we wanted to see him succeed. We wanted to see him happy. So we received some really helpful information on a good ball to get and we found him a nice pair of shoes that would be comfortable and fit like a gym shoe. Wednesday we took him to get the finger holes drilled in his ball to get a proper fit. Last night was the first night with his new equipment, and I can’t tell you how heartwarming it was to watch him succeed and the genuine excitement and happiness that exuded from his increasing self-confidence! How can you help but smile when you see that excitement and amazement with each success that he created on his own?! Not to mention the friendships and camaraderie he’s forming bowling with his people. People who accept and understand him for who he is!

11/04/2025

We are honored to have been invited to :

The Joint Commission in Oak Brook Terrace for their

24th annual employee Makers Market!!

Vanessa has been helping me work hard on completing some holiday items and with an early arrival I am set up and ready to meet the employees!!

Our holiday items will be available at all upcoming shows through December!!

10/30/2025

Gone are the days of homemade cupcakes slathered with sugary, fresh made buttercream frosting for school parties.

However, even at high school level, in a therapeutic day school, childlike fun continues to be celebrated and cherished.

Afternoon festivities with costumes and a party.

Williams love for Halloween is evident with his excitement this week.

We’ve worked very hard, as a family, to make his Halloween ensemble come to fruition.

His old soul is wrapped around events and characters of the past.

No costume that can be purchased amongst duplicates at a store.

No, his ideas are unique, creative and involved.

These little things, that can be big projects, make him happy and there isn’t much we won’t try to accomplish to add to his happiness.

Tomorrow we’ll reveal this years creation! A weeks worth of family involvement, even dad pitched in.

As for me and my love for Halloween and making holidays special…

I saw this idea posted on FB and thought it was a perfect replacement for the cupcakes I used to happily send.

I only needed the candy fillers.

Gluten Free, Peanut Free and store bought -the new rules of most schools!

Happy Halloween eve!!!

10/27/2025

I believe this describes Williams Autism very well.

Since it’s a spectrum, all Autistics are different , but William is very much like this young man is describing.

Want know William better at a deeper level - give this a quick listen - thank you.

Thank you for supporting him and taking the time to learn about our world 💕