25DG&G: Day 14

Today's post is more of an update for a previous project.  Back in November our Daisy troop decorated and packaged up 3 shoeboxes to be donated to Operation Christmas Child.  This is an annual event for our family where we let them pick out little gifts for a child their own age living around the world.  It was so exciting today when in my email appeared a mesesage that our boxes had successfully arrived in India!  Schuler and I talk about what it might be like for those children to open our gifts and how exciting it would be. 

25DG&G: Day 13

As I rifle through a pile of mittens for my girls, trying to pair them up and find 2 for everyone, it is easy to overlook that this is a good problem to have.  For many, a warm fuzzy pair of mittens is a luxury - in Michigan it is a necessity.  So today Schuler and I picked out 2 striped cozy gloves so she could hang them on the Christmas tress at school where they were being collected for other kids on our community. 

25DG&G: Day 12

Today is my middle daughter's 3rd Birthday!  I think the standard line for mom's is to lament that they can't believe how old their kids are getting.  Brier is one of a kind though, and more often than not I forget that she is ONLY just 3.  She and her older sister have settled into the familiar sibling roles of loving one minute, arguing the next.  In honor of Brier's birthday though, I was delighted in the unprompted shift in how Schuler treated Brier today.  Line leader downstairs in the morning - Schuler let Brier go first.  Race to the car - Brier won.  Pick what we were having for lunch - Brier's choice.  It warmed my heart to see Schuler making such an effort to be kind, hope some of this birthday magic carries over to everyday!

25DG&G: Day 11

Today was busy as we squeezed church, grocery shopping, a Christmas show and a Birthday party into one fun-filled day.  In the midst of the hussle though, Schuler and I packed up 5 Christmas tins of those beautiful cookies.  Santa Schuler had a great time visiting our neighbors to deliver these unexpected treats on a Sunday afternoon.  Aren't surprise gifts the best!

25DG&G: Day 10

Every year my family enjoys a day of cookie making frenzy.  As my girls and my niece have gotten older, this has taking on a fun/crazy/messy spin for sure!  Looking at the picture above don't you just want to dive into one of those cookies covered in a bottle of sprinkles!?!??!  Though I am a true cookie girl at heart, it is the event and time with our family that is the fun part.  So in honor of Day 10 of 25DG&G we decided that today's creations will be given to some special people in our lives.

25DG&G: Day 9

Tonight our family was hosting some friends for dinner.  As we were busy running errands to pick up food for the evening, my oldest spotted a darling "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament.  She picked it up and asked if we might be able to get it for our friend's new baby girl who would indeed be celebrating her first Christmas.  It was such a thoughtful idea I was happy to help.  She was so excited to give that ornament to our friends and they were touched by this little act of generosity.

25DG&G: Day 8

As mom's we all know how precious those couple of hours alone to run errands, pay bills, clean the house or just read a magazine can be.  Having a family member or paying a babysitter to watch the kids is often a luxury we just afford.  So how about a playdate swap!  These brothers are having a great time playing in a fort with their friends while their mom gets some time to catch up on the holiday to-do-list. 

25DG&G: Day 7

Today my oldest and I had the opportunity to "ring the bell" for the Salvation Army and collect money in their famous red kettles.  As we stood outside the grocery store watching people hurry in and out after work, I wasn't sure what to expect.  Schuler and I talked about how we should smile and say "Merry Christmas" to all those who walked by, but it seemed nearly everyone stopped to donate something.  Even as a 5 year old, Schuler noticed how generous people were, especially since many commented that they stopped when they saw such a cute little girl ringing the bell!  I think it made her feel pretty good that people appreciated her service to the community/

25DG&G: Day 6

It wasn't planned this way, but as it turned out in our Daisy Girl Scout meeting last night the topic was learning to be Caring & Considerate.  Given a limited amount of art supplies the girls practiced the art of sharing in order to create beautiful snowflake ornaments.  We then encouraged the girls to give them to someone who would enjoy their handmade creation.  Sharing - an oldie but a goodie :)

25DG&G: Day 5

Recently my 5 year old has discovered my stash of envelopes and in case you didn't know, stuffing some treasure inside of an envelope is about the coolest thing ever.  Add some decoration to the outside and you are lucky to be on the receiving end of one of these :)  So when my mother in law gifted us with a million candy canes, I thought it might be a good idea to share the wealth!  Enter said envelope, a cutout wreath and some markers.  Sure a little red and white striped loved brought a smile to friend.

25DG&G: Day 4

Thought I would high-light a guest post idea today!  With times as they are I, like many of you I am sure, have started to dabble in the world of couponing to save a little here and there.  The families on military bases overseas are no different, except for the fact that they can use coupons up to 6 months after their expiration date!

So if you have stacks of unused or expired coupons consider sending them here, where they will be packaged up and sent to military families who could use them.  How can your little heart help out with this project you might ask, a couple of ways crossed my mind.  If your child is old enough to use scissors this would make for some great practice!  Coupons should be sorted by food/non-food items - another great options.  Decorate the envelope?!?!  Finally, as shown in the picture above, a walk to the mailbox and sending some love!

25DG&G: Day 3

Taking kids to the grocery store is not a favorite activity of mine.  Now that I have three girls however, any errand can be turned into an excuse for some alone time with one of my girls.  Today was no exception, and after an hour and half of shopping and my girl helping the whole time, she was treated to a ride on Sandy (for those of you not familiar with the penny pony at Meijer you are missing out!!).  Possibly one of the greatest cheapest treats of all time.  After her ride into the sunset we decided to pay it forward and left several pennies for the next child to ride on the house.  Cost... minimal.  But a nice surprise for the next guest nonetheless.

25DG&G: Day 2

Since I am new to parenting a school age child, I often revert back to my own elementary school day memories when thinking about how things operate.  My how times have changed.  Gone it seems are the days when you only saw parents in the classroom during a party (maybe) and ushered in are the days of a parent parade in the classroom.  So today my sweet husband was all set to head into school when we decided volunteering in the classroom was  an excellent opportunity for our 2 year old to help out as well.  I wasn't there so my account is second hand, and while I certainly she did more playing than helping, I am sure both she and her sister noticed that Daddy took time out of his afternoon to count stickers and hand out prizes in a room full of 5 year olds.

25DG&G: Day 1

Everytime we go to the gym my almost 3 year old insists on holding the doors.  As I am schlepping gym bags, babies and assorted other items, having the patience for this is not always something I possess.  Add to that the fact that most adults using the doors want to hold the door for her, since she is so small and the doors so big, and more often than not I end up standing outside trying to get in.  That and the fact that there are 3 sets of doors to navigate, you see where I am going.

Today however in the spirit of 25DG&G I encouraged the door holding.  Waited patiently as smiling gym goers filed in and my daughter happily told everyone "you're welcome".  Afterward I made a point to say how nice it was of her to be so helpful to so many people hurrying in and out of the gym.  Small act, but lesson learned.  Day 1 complete.

Christmas Countdown: 25DG&G

Inspired by a post I saw on Facebook (okay full disclosure it was by my sister-in-law :) since today is December 1st, here on thlp we are starting a full on Christmas Countdown.  Not a countdown in a traditional way, but a fresh approach to serving others by participating in 25 Days of Giving & Graciousness.

We aren't talking monumental acts of kindness (though those would be certainly be awesome) but everyday making a conscience effort with your little ones to do something kind, considerate, thoughtful, unexpected, etc for someone else. 

Please share your ideas and success stories from 25DG&G and I will be posting as we go!