I'm all about random acts of kindness and I try to go through life doing them whenever and wherever I can. It's just FUN and it makes others so happy and me too! (win win!) ;)
So when Ben's teacher (we're just going to say former teacher, from now on since, sadly, she is definitely out for the rest of the year) told me what she was doing for her 40th birthday, I was SO ridiculously excited.
Her plan was to rent a limo with a bunch of friends and family and go around town doing nice things for people. They had a plan to stop at one of the hospital cancer centers and put gifts on the chemo chairs, they had gifts to drop off for a home for underprivileged girls and boys, gifts for the animal shelter, gifts for an assisted living home and a bunch of random fun things to just give out to random people on the street.
She sent out an email about this plan to everyone at school and challenged everyone to do their own act of kindness that day too.
From there, things exploded. Two local tv stations caught wind of it and decided to follow her around and do a story on it; and there was FB page that went nuts with likes and contributions from everyone saying what they had done that day.
The day just was FUN and the spirit of it all was infectious. It was a blast getting caught up in it with everyone and hearing what everyone else was doing.
As for me? Well, I did something I had meant to do at Christmas time, which was to give a giftcard and card to Kelly, our favorite Safeway cashier. There are certain people you encounter during your days who just always bring a smile to your face. I always say that there are certain people who just always let their light shine brightly and she is one of them. So I took the opportunity to tell her. :) I also bought a grocery store gift card and put it into another card and gave it to her to give to the next person who came through her line and seemed like they could use it.
She was SO excited and touched. It's amazing what such a small thing can do to brighten someone's day. And she was even more excited about the grocery card to give to someone... she said she sees people every day who could use it and has contributed to peoples' grocery bills out of her own pocket. (she said that she had never told anyone that before) :)
The other thing I did was something else I had been wanting to do for a few weeks. I gave a giftcard and card to the teacher who took over Ben's class. I kept thinking about how she had missed out on all the CAH-razy giving that happens at our school at Christmas-time, but is very much doing all the work required of a regular teacher, not just a sub. She has been SO kind and helpful to Ben.
The thing is that I really and truly depend on B's teachers to help me from their end in order for him to be successful and I was, admittedly, a little worried when the other teacher had to leave... but the transition has been seamless and she is SO great with him and doesn't seem to mind my emails (which says a lot... I email um... frequently...) I am beyond thankful.
Anyway, so she was pretty surprised... she gave me a hug and said that Ben is actually one of her favorite students and isn't a problem at all (I had written in the card that I felt bad she missed out on Christmas treats but still had to "deal with my kiddo all day".) I replied, "Yeah... but I know he's still work!" (and trust me, he is) The whole interaction made ME smile too and was a great way to end the day of kindness. :)
The news stories about B's teacher aired later that afternoon and evening and we all got a kick out of watching.
http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_county/2-good-to-be-true
http://foxbaltimore.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/baltimore-county-teacher-battling-breast-cancer-pays-forward-birthday-18664.shtml#.UVTT20KyY-J
It was just a really great day all around. :o) I wish the world were like that every day! I, for one, plan on keeping it up. If you are looking for an easy and fun pick me up, do a random act of kindness! Let someone ahead of you in line, tell someone you appreciate them, smile at someone who looks like they are having a bad day, buy a friend coffee. It can be anything! :) I promise you won't be sorry!
Showing posts with label great links. Show all posts
Showing posts with label great links. Show all posts
Monday, April 01, 2013
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Cool Website...
Ben's teacher sent home a note in the homework planner last night for the kids to check out a website called abcya.com. It's AWESOME. Simon loved it too... and the activities are all by grade level, so they know which ones are just for them. The Ipad version of it is all cool apps for kids to download and play. We had SO much fun with it! Go check it out!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Like Peas in a Pod....
That's my new relationship with Peapod. Seriously. Love. My goal is now to enter an actual brick and mortar grocery store as little as possible with my children in tow. This will improve my life ten-fold! (happy dance)
Working on my second order now. I'm working it this week so they'll deliver tomorrow morning between 7 and 9a.m. I have all day now to perfect my grocery list and this week's menu. This is awesome.
But I digress. The real reason for this post is this little giggle I got this morning from Peapod.
So, I searched for cilantro and up popped two different options --
Here we have the ORGANIC cilantro:
And here? The regular, pesticide laden, probably genetically modified and possibly altogether created in a lab cilantro.
You can tell the second one MUST be inferior because look how dark and sad it looks compared to the perky and bright green ORGANIC stuff, which is a mere 30 cents more.
LOL!!!
I giggled to myself as I added the evil non-organic variety to my cart. I'm sure over at Peapod when they were doing the website there was a big meeting about which picture to choose too....
Working on my second order now. I'm working it this week so they'll deliver tomorrow morning between 7 and 9a.m. I have all day now to perfect my grocery list and this week's menu. This is awesome.
But I digress. The real reason for this post is this little giggle I got this morning from Peapod.
So, I searched for cilantro and up popped two different options --
Here we have the ORGANIC cilantro:
And here? The regular, pesticide laden, probably genetically modified and possibly altogether created in a lab cilantro.
You can tell the second one MUST be inferior because look how dark and sad it looks compared to the perky and bright green ORGANIC stuff, which is a mere 30 cents more.
LOL!!!
I giggled to myself as I added the evil non-organic variety to my cart. I'm sure over at Peapod when they were doing the website there was a big meeting about which picture to choose too....
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Naturally...
The big boys are currently both obsessed with and petrified of bugs of all kinds. They squeal and scream and run when so much as a housefly comes near them lately. I know this is partially brought on by our new, more bug-friendly surroundings as well as the run-in with the swarms of cicada killers that took over our yard and our friend's yard a couple weeks ago.... but ya'll... it's bad... very bad. So bad that they will not even get in the car on the side that is parked nearest our garden, for fear that something will fly near them.
(sigh)
But then, on the other hand, they also both love looking at books about bugs, Ben's collection of real bugs that are encased in plastic cubes, and any dead bugs that they find around the house or outside. (when I can even get them to go outside these days!)
So, we set out this weekend to find a "bug zoo".
A bunch of people recommended the Irvine Nature Center, which is about a half hour's drive from our house. Sounded cool and it was FREE FREE FREE! Can't beat that... so off we went today.
The Nature Center itself, is AWESOME. It's one small building with a ton of neat exhibits and hands on stuff. I have to admit when I read about it online, I thought there was a little more to it... but even as it was, it was cool and we spent a good 40 minutes in there. After that, there are hiking trails with various other exhibits to see... owls and birds and chipmunks and whatnot.
The boys had an absolute blast until we tried to get them out on one of the shorter hiking trails. They wouldn't go NEAR it. There was screaming and screeching and tears and so we packed it in right then and there. I'd say they screamed like little girls, but actually, I don't even know any little girls who can scream and screech as loud as they did, nor do I kno any little girls who would scream and screech and squeal when faced with a totally benign slightly wooded dirt walking trail. (In fact, I know a certain niece of mine who would LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.) Ben, however, was quite certain that a black widow spider was going to jump out from a tre, yell "Boo!" and gnaw on him after which a cobra was going to come along and finish him off. No lie... he could not be convinced that these were not creatures we would run into. He was also afraid there would be poison ivy. Man-eating poison ivy, apparently. Simon is basically afraid of whatever Ben is afraid of, so he just joined right in pitching a fit about giant snakes and lizards and cicadas we might encounter.
Anyway, if it hadn't been for that, I have to say, the place was so cool that we were a breath away from springing for the annual membership. (there is a cool natural playground thing for kids and some other perks that are only for members) We told the boys we'd go back when they were feeling braver and, frankly, when it's a LOT cooler outside. (I was silently quite happy they weren't feeling the hiking on the trail thing today!!)
To his credit, Ben DID touch a snake, a toad and a frog!
(sigh)
But then, on the other hand, they also both love looking at books about bugs, Ben's collection of real bugs that are encased in plastic cubes, and any dead bugs that they find around the house or outside. (when I can even get them to go outside these days!)
So, we set out this weekend to find a "bug zoo".
A bunch of people recommended the Irvine Nature Center, which is about a half hour's drive from our house. Sounded cool and it was FREE FREE FREE! Can't beat that... so off we went today.
The Nature Center itself, is AWESOME. It's one small building with a ton of neat exhibits and hands on stuff. I have to admit when I read about it online, I thought there was a little more to it... but even as it was, it was cool and we spent a good 40 minutes in there. After that, there are hiking trails with various other exhibits to see... owls and birds and chipmunks and whatnot.
The boys had an absolute blast until we tried to get them out on one of the shorter hiking trails. They wouldn't go NEAR it. There was screaming and screeching and tears and so we packed it in right then and there. I'd say they screamed like little girls, but actually, I don't even know any little girls who can scream and screech as loud as they did, nor do I kno any little girls who would scream and screech and squeal when faced with a totally benign slightly wooded dirt walking trail. (In fact, I know a certain niece of mine who would LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.) Ben, however, was quite certain that a black widow spider was going to jump out from a tre, yell "Boo!" and gnaw on him after which a cobra was going to come along and finish him off. No lie... he could not be convinced that these were not creatures we would run into. He was also afraid there would be poison ivy. Man-eating poison ivy, apparently. Simon is basically afraid of whatever Ben is afraid of, so he just joined right in pitching a fit about giant snakes and lizards and cicadas we might encounter.
Anyway, if it hadn't been for that, I have to say, the place was so cool that we were a breath away from springing for the annual membership. (there is a cool natural playground thing for kids and some other perks that are only for members) We told the boys we'd go back when they were feeling braver and, frankly, when it's a LOT cooler outside. (I was silently quite happy they weren't feeling the hiking on the trail thing today!!)
To his credit, Ben DID touch a snake, a toad and a frog!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Monday, November 08, 2010
Turkey Lurkey...
Simon and I made this today and he got a big kick out of it. I've seen a lot of turkey crafts, but this was the first one I've seen that uses hands AND feet. Anyway, thought I'd share it because some of you might want to try it toO! :):
Hands and Feet Turkey
Hands and Feet Turkey
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Biggest Reason Ben's Teacher Rocks...
She keeps her website updated!!! I love this!
Check it out!
Check it out!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
New Blog to Read...
I've made a new blog discovery, which is rare these days because I don't often take the time to click onto blogs I've never read.
Anyway, it's called Testosterhome and, while I'm still in the throws of taking in as many wonderfully written posts as I can, I have to say this was one of my favorites so far...
Anyway, it's called Testosterhome and, while I'm still in the throws of taking in as many wonderfully written posts as I can, I have to say this was one of my favorites so far...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Mindless Web Surfing....
...sometimes unearths treasures like this one. Enjoy. :)
And for those who don't feel like clicking the link and reading the whole post... here's the part that got me. I know we all need reminders like these once in awhile.
"5 Ways to Make Childhood Last by Karen Maezen Miller
1. Wake up. Let your children wake you up. Better yet, let them drag you out of bed. How much of your life – how much of their lives – do you spend in this ceaseless struggle to get more sleep? Give up already. I promise you, one day too soon the house will grow empty. Then sleep will once more evade. Seize the day! Seize the night! This divine mission to bring us into full awareness of our lives is the reason your child has come. So crack a lid and get this party started. If you could just once see the exhilarating potential they wake to every day, you'd know why children don't want to waste a minute to slumber.
2. Break the rules. Brownies for breakfast. Painting your hair. Jumping on the beds. Staying up late and missing school. Adventure! Daring! Build your house on rules, but then have the good sense to barrel right through them from time to time. Breaking rules brings your home to life. It brings you to life!
3. Get on the floor. For one hour a day, get down on the floor and surrender to play. Not play on your terms – where you choose the game, control the action, and make corrections – play on their terms. Set a kitchen timer to keep track. Your children need one hour of undistracted attention from you each day. The trouble is, we spend 16 hours avoiding it.
4. Hold hands. Kisses grow scarce. Cuddles are outgrown. Your scrumptious love bugs will soon be parceling out the affection in piddling doses. How then to keep close? Hold hands at every chance. It's the last, best way to stay in touch. It's practical, it's intimate, it's precious, and it's the ageless sign of peaceful coexistence. And when your child finally lets go of your fingertips, you'll know one thing for sure. All this time you thought you were guiding them forward, they were really leading you here. To the point of letting go.
5. Say it a million times over. I love you. I'm proud of you. You're funny. Good idea! I like it. That's perfect. Yes! You make me smile. I missed you. Good choice! I had fun with you today. I believe you. I'm glad to see you. Let's play. Blow me a kiss. Sit on my lap. Let me tell you a story. Once there was a little girl who turned into a queen. Happy birthday Lucy! You can be anything and anyone you wish."
And for those who don't feel like clicking the link and reading the whole post... here's the part that got me. I know we all need reminders like these once in awhile.
"5 Ways to Make Childhood Last by Karen Maezen Miller
1. Wake up. Let your children wake you up. Better yet, let them drag you out of bed. How much of your life – how much of their lives – do you spend in this ceaseless struggle to get more sleep? Give up already. I promise you, one day too soon the house will grow empty. Then sleep will once more evade. Seize the day! Seize the night! This divine mission to bring us into full awareness of our lives is the reason your child has come. So crack a lid and get this party started. If you could just once see the exhilarating potential they wake to every day, you'd know why children don't want to waste a minute to slumber.
2. Break the rules. Brownies for breakfast. Painting your hair. Jumping on the beds. Staying up late and missing school. Adventure! Daring! Build your house on rules, but then have the good sense to barrel right through them from time to time. Breaking rules brings your home to life. It brings you to life!
3. Get on the floor. For one hour a day, get down on the floor and surrender to play. Not play on your terms – where you choose the game, control the action, and make corrections – play on their terms. Set a kitchen timer to keep track. Your children need one hour of undistracted attention from you each day. The trouble is, we spend 16 hours avoiding it.
4. Hold hands. Kisses grow scarce. Cuddles are outgrown. Your scrumptious love bugs will soon be parceling out the affection in piddling doses. How then to keep close? Hold hands at every chance. It's the last, best way to stay in touch. It's practical, it's intimate, it's precious, and it's the ageless sign of peaceful coexistence. And when your child finally lets go of your fingertips, you'll know one thing for sure. All this time you thought you were guiding them forward, they were really leading you here. To the point of letting go.
5. Say it a million times over. I love you. I'm proud of you. You're funny. Good idea! I like it. That's perfect. Yes! You make me smile. I missed you. Good choice! I had fun with you today. I believe you. I'm glad to see you. Let's play. Blow me a kiss. Sit on my lap. Let me tell you a story. Once there was a little girl who turned into a queen. Happy birthday Lucy! You can be anything and anyone you wish."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Must Read...
A friend of ours, who we haven't seen in person in entirely too long because he moved to Texas for grad school, is in India right now. (for what reason, I have yet to actually discern entirely, but I think it's a wedding)
Anyway, he is keeping a blog while he is there and it's side-splittingly funny. If you need a laugh, walk, do not run, here.
The only background you need to know is that he is whiter than white (his nickname when we knew him, was "Whitey") and bald. ;)
Anyway, he is keeping a blog while he is there and it's side-splittingly funny. If you need a laugh, walk, do not run, here.
The only background you need to know is that he is whiter than white (his nickname when we knew him, was "Whitey") and bald. ;)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Two Things You Will Hate Me For...
My mom sent me this game yesterday. I have been on level 12 for 12 hours now (obviously not continuously, but I keep it up in a window and click "play" every oncein awhile) You are welcome. I apologize in advance for the hours of your life you will never get back.
Also, this. If you are my Facebook friend, you may have already seen it. Simon has made me watch is at least 25 times in the last 24 hours. "More Boom Boom!!" The tune is evil and finds its way into your head. It echoed in my brain and actually kept me awake last night. But if you or your child like the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, it's a must see. :)
Also, this. If you are my Facebook friend, you may have already seen it. Simon has made me watch is at least 25 times in the last 24 hours. "More Boom Boom!!" The tune is evil and finds its way into your head. It echoed in my brain and actually kept me awake last night. But if you or your child like the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, it's a must see. :)
Monday, December 01, 2008
Awesome Deal!
If you have been looking at the Leapfrog Tag Reading System for your kiddo, this is the deal for you! I was already finished shopping for Ben and really don't want to give him anything else to overwhelm him Christmas morning. Plus, it would screw up my even gift count with the boys. ;) Anyway, so I'm thinking I'll put this away for his birthday... the deal was too good to pass up! And he has seen this in stores and LOVES it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon has a $20 off $75 promotion for select Leapfrog bundles and offers a free Leapfrog Tag Storage Case with purchase of a Tag Reading System, making the system with storage case and one activity book $44 with free shipping. Thanks DK Jr. and livnxxl
Amazon Prime users: the order is split into multiple orders due to uneven delivery times, which prevents the discount from being applied. Please order it with your non-prime account instead.Add the following items to cart:
1. LeapFrog Tag Reading System
2. LeapFrog Tag Storage Case
One of the following activity books:
1. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Disney Princess: Adventures Under the Sea
2. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook I SPY: Imagine That!
3. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook T. Rex's Mighty Roar
4. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Kung Fu Panda: Po's
5. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Disney/Pixar Cars: Tractor Tipping
And
4. Leapfrog Headphones
Checkout, your total will be $44 with free shipping
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon has a $20 off $75 promotion for select Leapfrog bundles and offers a free Leapfrog Tag Storage Case with purchase of a Tag Reading System, making the system with storage case and one activity book $44 with free shipping. Thanks DK Jr. and livnxxl
Amazon Prime users: the order is split into multiple orders due to uneven delivery times, which prevents the discount from being applied. Please order it with your non-prime account instead.Add the following items to cart:
1. LeapFrog Tag Reading System
2. LeapFrog Tag Storage Case
One of the following activity books:
1. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Disney Princess: Adventures Under the Sea
2. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook I SPY: Imagine That!
3. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook T. Rex's Mighty Roar
4. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Kung Fu Panda: Po's
5. LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Disney/Pixar Cars: Tractor Tipping
And
4. Leapfrog Headphones
Checkout, your total will be $44 with free shipping
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Awww....
You all should walk, not run, over to my new favorite photographer's blog and check out her baby baseball glove shot...
Oh, and I heard back from her today with answers to some questions I had about her services. Yeeeeah. She's pricey. And that's an understatement. Her pics are amazing and I only wish I had the disposable income to use her. But she says her customers generally spend about $2,000-$3,000. Hrm. Not so much in the budget. So I'll be snapping away outside with my kids and my own camera until it gets too cold to do so and hoping I strike photographic gold at some point and great pics of both of them. ;)
Oh, and I heard back from her today with answers to some questions I had about her services. Yeeeeah. She's pricey. And that's an understatement. Her pics are amazing and I only wish I had the disposable income to use her. But she says her customers generally spend about $2,000-$3,000. Hrm. Not so much in the budget. So I'll be snapping away outside with my kids and my own camera until it gets too cold to do so and hoping I strike photographic gold at some point and great pics of both of them. ;)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Both Inspiring and Deflating...
I recently found an old school friend (we're talking elementary school) on Facebook. She was always an artist and I can remember seeing her drawings on the walls of the art room at school when we were 8 and 9 years old. She now does child photography -- and all I can say is, "Wow."
I have been scrolling through her photo blog archives and it's SO inspiring... she does amazing things with light and her pictures are just outstanding. On the other hand, I know it would take years upon years (if ever!) for me to ever have the skills/knowledge/eye to enable me to take pictures as amazing as hers.
I would just LOVE to take my kids out to her studio but GAH, so expensive!
Go check her out!
I have been scrolling through her photo blog archives and it's SO inspiring... she does amazing things with light and her pictures are just outstanding. On the other hand, I know it would take years upon years (if ever!) for me to ever have the skills/knowledge/eye to enable me to take pictures as amazing as hers.
I would just LOVE to take my kids out to her studio but GAH, so expensive!
Go check her out!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
A Funny...
So, apparently, Josh Duggar the eldest child of "25 Children and My Uterus Hasn't Fallen Out Yet" fame, is engaged. He and his fiancee have registered at Walmart. No, seriously... you must go check it out. Did YOU know you could register for beef jerky?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
If You Have Not Seen This Yet...
You must watch. I am still laughing. There are three others too... ;)
Friday, August 08, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The More You Know. ;)
(remember those little segments on Saturday mornings?) ;)
Anyway, there was a discussion yesterday on the mommy message board I read about whether or not someone's child is dyslexic because they reverse the lowercase letters "b" and "d". Seeing as pretty much ALL of us replied that our four-year-olds do the same thing, it's obviously quite normal. But one of the moms posted this wonderful article about how children learn to read and write and how their natural inclinations prepare them for these activities. It's really, really fascinating!
One of the things it talks about is how kids can't really do either until their brain has all the right connections. And to make those connections, the best thing you can do for them is well, let them be kids! Run, jump, skip, play! All of those help wire the brain to eventually let them write, read and comprehend and SIT STILL. ;)
Other than reassuring me that we're doing all the right things with Ben, it also made me love his preschool even more than I already do. As I read this, I remembered his teacher and the director last year talking about ALL these things. And that school (and other preschools like it) is an oasis of sorts in a world where we've gone to all-day kindergarten most places and we're forcing little kids (especially boys!) to sit at desks and work when they should still be playing more than sitting...
Anyway, there was a discussion yesterday on the mommy message board I read about whether or not someone's child is dyslexic because they reverse the lowercase letters "b" and "d". Seeing as pretty much ALL of us replied that our four-year-olds do the same thing, it's obviously quite normal. But one of the moms posted this wonderful article about how children learn to read and write and how their natural inclinations prepare them for these activities. It's really, really fascinating!
One of the things it talks about is how kids can't really do either until their brain has all the right connections. And to make those connections, the best thing you can do for them is well, let them be kids! Run, jump, skip, play! All of those help wire the brain to eventually let them write, read and comprehend and SIT STILL. ;)
Other than reassuring me that we're doing all the right things with Ben, it also made me love his preschool even more than I already do. As I read this, I remembered his teacher and the director last year talking about ALL these things. And that school (and other preschools like it) is an oasis of sorts in a world where we've gone to all-day kindergarten most places and we're forcing little kids (especially boys!) to sit at desks and work when they should still be playing more than sitting...
Monday, July 14, 2008
Which is Harder?
Boys or Girls? Interesting article on CNN.com. ;) After reading, I somehow feel like I got the harder end of the deal than my friends/family who have girls... at least for the next 8-12 years.