Week 12 - 10 Books...Success!

So last week was Week 12. And we were on track! The boys decided they wanted to purchase some books and hand them out to other kids.

We hit up the store and found a series of Elmo books. I figured Elmo is a pretty safe character for small children. There were 4 different stories, and we picked up 10 books.

Now, we just had to hand them out...not an easy task!

We brainstormed on where we would find a bunch of kids...

the grocery store...but the store might carry books
the park...good idea
a restaurant...good idea
school...won't work out

So the weekend past, and we are now into Week 13, and have yet to start this week's project - yikes! So yesterday I had to run to Home Depot. I thought, "Great! A place with bored kids." I grabbed my tote with the books on my way out the door.

Well, I saw 1 child while I was there, and they were completely on the other side of the store. Fail! But that's okay, because my boys weren't with me, and part of this project is that we are doing it together.

Today, we had the perfect opportunity! The No. 844 steam train was going to roll through the town next door, and we were going to see it. I carried the tote of books, and we gave out our first book before we settled into our spot to watch for the train. But, then one of the boys had to use the restroom...

We used our time to hand out 3 books while at the restrooms...

Then the train came through. During the stop, we handed out 2 books to one family, and then another 2 books to these girls watching the train with their daddy.

With just 2 books left to give out, my 2 youngest boys claimed the privilege of handing them out. When we were nearly back to our vehicle, we passed a brother and sister, and we gave them the books.

After the books were gone, the boys asked for more to give out to the rest of the kids in the area. Whoa! Sorry, boys. I wish we could have, but there was at least 100 kids there with their families.

But I am happy to know that my boys enjoyed giving away the books and receiving the smiles from strangers.

Week 11...Success!

Friday we were going to give out our 1 dozen cookies to someone. On the way to school in the morning, we brainstormed about who we would give the cookies to. We discussed the police station, the fire house, the ambulance house, Ameren (electrical) workers, and our new neighbors.

After I picked the kids up from school, as we were driving, we had to go around some city workers taking care of a pothole in the road. Bingo! After dropping my niece off, we would run home to grab the cookies and then come back to give them to the city workers.

Well, 10 minutes later, the workers were finished and gone. So, now who would we give them to???

The ambulance house was just up the street, on the way home, so we stopped. When we walked in, it looked like every single EMT was there! I think they were going over a rescue technique or something, as they had a mannequin on the middle of the floor.

So we dropped off our cookies and left. : )

The remaining cookies at home only lasted another day or two - they were delicious, and I hope the EMTs enjoyed them as much as we did!

Week 11 - One Dozen Cookies

So I decided today that we would make cookies for someone...

I whipped up Betty Crocker's recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and let the boys lick the beaters. Of course, I had to taste the dough, too, before I popped them in the oven.

The cookies turned out delicious! Soft, chewy, and chocolatey (I can't resist adding a little more chocolate than what a recipe calls for).

After they cooled, I wrapped up a dozen in some baggies, placed them in a brown lunch sack, added some simple white tissue, and tied a nice spring bow around the top.


Now who should we give the cookies to? 

Tomorrow we shall decide! Maybe the new neighbors across the street...or maybe drop them off at the ambulance house or the police station...maybe we'll see an Ameren crew working on some electrical lines...

Decisions, decisions! This will be random... : )

Week 10 - Branson or Bust

On Wednesday, February 29th, a tornado hopped, skipped, and jumped through the Branson area. There was extensive damage at the spots where the tornado touched down, leaving many structures demolished. So last week I emailed the Branson Volunteer organization to ask what our little family could do to help with the clean up.

I never received a reply. : (

I thought since we were headed down to Branson for the weekend, some community service could fit right in. But it didn't work out.

We did drive down the Strip to view the damage. The most notable structures we noticed damaged were many of the nostalgic motels from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Now, they will be razed. On the bright side, the majority of attractions and shows were unscathed and already open!

So Saturday evening I headed to the Super WalMart on my own to stock up on cleaning supplies and paper products for our guests for the spring season. This chore filled 4 shopping carts. What can fill 4 wagons? Here was what I left with:

• 69 travel toothpaste
• 16 bottles of toilet bowl cleaner
• 12 giant packs of antibacterial wipes
• 6 bottles all purpose cleaner
• 6 boxes of 100 trash bags
• 10 bottles of 100 load laundry detergent
• 6 boxes of 160 dryer sheets
• 32 boxes of tissues
• 6 giant boxes of Cascade
• 10 huge hand soap refill bottles
• 80 rolls of paper towels
• 200 double rolls of toilet paper

Being by myself, it was great that I had enough room in our vehicle to fit everything in, but I can't push 4 wagons on my own. After checking out, the cashier called for a worker to come help me. He took 2 carts, and I heaved the heaviest cart with my weight while pulling the last wagon.

As I was walking, someone called "Ma'am" several times before I stopped and looked behind me, thinking I had dropped something. A young man (high school / college age) was trying to get my attention. He immediately asked if he could help me with the last wagon, and I gratefully accepted.

When we reached my vehicle, the young man didn't leave...he immediately jumped into the back and said he would load everything up for me. His parents taught him well, and they should be proud of him. I hope our 3 boys will be just as observant to lend a kind hand.

So this week, I was on the receiving end of the random act of kindness. : )

Week 9 - Success!

The 4 passes and $10 gift certificate.

Wednesday (Leap Day!) before picking up the kids from school, Jacob and I ran over to the bowling alley to pick up the gift card and passes.

I then printed out the paper and placed everything in a plain envelope.

That evening we headed over to our local hospital, just as the sun was setting. We had wind advisories that day, so the flags were at attention, and we had to keep from blowing away!

Our local hospital.

I approached the front desk, and explained that we had a request. I handed her the envelope and said that we would like it delivered to a child on the pediatric floor who needed some cheering up. The receptionist was a little surprised, but she accommodated us.

We hope there was one surprised little person with a smile that evening!