Week 16 - Give a Train Ride...Success!

On Thursday, Jacob and I went to the zoo. One of the special treats for us is to ride the train tour around the zoo. So we figured a train ride would be pretty special for other children visiting the zoo.

First thing we did was to pick up a zoo membership. This made the cost of train rides less than half the regular price. And, we have extra tickets for the children's zoo and the shark exhibit for another day. Bonus! 

As we were walking, we kept an eye out for small families who looked like they would like a random act of kindness. Our first family was a father and his two girls from Kentucky. We asked if they had been on the train yet. When they answered that they had not, I said that I have tickets for them if they would like to ride. The father was surprised and happily accepted the tickets.

The others were the same - pleasantly surprised and walked away with smiles and a little bit more of a spring in their step. The second family was a mom, dad, and young daughter from Hannibal, Missouri. The third was an older man and woman from Robertsville, Missouri, whom we met while viewing the new baby elephant. And the last tickets we gave out as we left the zoo were to a father and son from St. Louis.

The day was beautiful, we had a wonderful time, and we had the opportunity to bless several families. It definitely was a successful day!

Week 13 - Ice Cream (just a little late!)...Success!

Lion's Choice

Today we had to run to the orthodontist...again. Our 8 year old's head gear wasn't fitting properly, so back we go to get it adjusted.

And, surprise!  No more head gear - we are moving on to a full time retainer. So he got to pick out a cool retainer with a design on it, from about 30 choices. Why didn't they have fun retainers when I had to wear them?

So to reward the boys on how well behaved they were at the office, we went to Lion's Choice for ice cream cones.

Our 10 cent ice cream!

Their ice cream is delicious! And, it's only 15 cents for a small cone, or 29 cents for it to be dipped in chocolate. They must have been running a special today, though, as I only paid 48 cents for 4 cones. Yum!

The two unsuspecting vehicles behind us.

Then on impulse, I decided we would pay the tab for the car behind us. Then I overheard the cashier tell the next car their total, which I thought was just 30 cents. Sweet! When the cashier handed me my last two cones, I handed him my debit card and said I would like to pay for the two orders behind me.

He stared at me. He was a little confused.

"The two orders behind you?" he wanted to clarify.

"Yes," I said.

He finally took my card and then gave me the receipts. Both vehicles had ordered 2 roast beef sandwiches. I didn't have time to watch their reactions in the mirror, but I am sure they were a bit baffled. :D

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 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!

Week 2: Buy the Order Behind Us...Success!

Yesterday we did not take the time to discuss what we wanted to do for this week's random act of kindness. I had mentioned it to the boys on Saturday that we would talk about it just to get a feel for what they were thinking, and they suggested buying someone's meal at a restaurant (of course, it was motivated by the fact that they wanted to go out to eat themselves!).

Well today I had been craving a mocha...so much so that I even briefly considered running out to Wal-Mart and picking up my own little one cup mocha maker. The extra jolt of caffeine sounded like the perfect pick-me-up I needed today. After deciding I really don't have any room in my kitchen for one, I settled on running by McD's after I picked the boys up from school.

As we were waiting in line, and I had counted out my change for my $2.51 small mocha, I casually mentioned to the boys we had not decided on a project for the week. Yep, they unanimously suggested to buy the person's order behind us.

After I agreed, I started thinking about it a little more...that's great if it's just an after-school snack, but what if they have a $30 order? To my relief, it looked like a young mom and her child in the back seat. But then I thought, well, they could be having an early supper with 5 siblings at home or bringing home chicken nuggets to put in the deep freeze!

As soon as I had paid for my order, I casually told the drive thru worker that I would like to pay for the car behind me as well. The total was $9.06 (whew!), and I handed over my debit card.

My mocha was ready for me at the pick up window, and I was on my way before the lady behind me could track me down.

As I pulled away, I glanced in the mirror to see if I could catch her reaction...I wish I could have taken a picture! Her face was a little bit confused and a little bit shocked that the cashier wasn't taking her money. And he was leaning out the window telling her he had no idea who it was in front of her. And then we were around the corner and on our way to the highway.

Challenge for you: Go ahead, buy the order behind you in the drive thru and bless someone's day!