We haven't been getting out much these days so we spent another rainy day at home. We did manage to go to the library and then little boy had karate class. Mimi was saying at the end of the day that she did not give a gift.
I saw it differently and thought that she gave a great gift. She often loves to dress up and has on several occasions gone out and about with wigs and costumes. Yesterday she wore one of my Halloween wigs to the library and karate. It is a blond curly wig with a tiara on it. This simple wig made people smile for hours as they noticed her bopping about. Many felt compelled to inquire as to who she was or just to tell her how beautiful she looked. Others simply smiled and looked a little longer then they normally would have. Being able to inspire so many smiles on such a gloomy day was a wonderful gift!!!!
She wore that wig all day in the house and played outside with it. My gift was easy..... I gave her the wig! She was so happy.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day Five
Day Five was pretty simple. Mimi gave little boy one of her shirts. No, not pink and sparkly... it is for sure a unisex shirt that she has from her tennis class. However, that is not to say that he has not been know to wear pink and sparkly. She just hasn't "given" him those. He was happy with his gift this time. Of course, we did still refrain from letting him know it was a "gift".
My gift to Mimi was to read her an entire book from start to finish in one day. We had already read several picture books and some chapters from our Pippy book. This was a new book we started called "Clementine" and she was enjoying it. It was pretty similar to Pippy actually. I was hoping that after the book we could have saved the multi-page preview for the next in the series for the next day, she didn't accept that so we threw that in too.
The best part of the giving for the day was that little boy finally gave a gift. He gave one of his toys to his sister. Sooo excited about that. He was so proud of himself. And they each gave me the best gift ever. As they were playing a game together, she said, "I'm lucky to have a brother that likes me a lot." He then says, "And I'm lucky to have the best sister in the whole world." {Heart Swell}
My gift to Mimi was to read her an entire book from start to finish in one day. We had already read several picture books and some chapters from our Pippy book. This was a new book we started called "Clementine" and she was enjoying it. It was pretty similar to Pippy actually. I was hoping that after the book we could have saved the multi-page preview for the next in the series for the next day, she didn't accept that so we threw that in too.
The best part of the giving for the day was that little boy finally gave a gift. He gave one of his toys to his sister. Sooo excited about that. He was so proud of himself. And they each gave me the best gift ever. As they were playing a game together, she said, "I'm lucky to have a brother that likes me a lot." He then says, "And I'm lucky to have the best sister in the whole world." {Heart Swell}
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day Four
Day Four... Oh Day Four... Day four did not go so well for us. I was thinking the day before how everyone that I have spoken to lately is feeling pretty miserable and everyone is desperate for the weather to get nicer and bring to us the oppotunity for fresh air and sunshine. I asked myself who has been down lately and could use a little appreciation and a moment of sunshine in their day. I thought of my sister. I decided that it would be nice to surprise her. The plan was to show up at her house and take her to lunch, wherever she wished to go. I asked our Mom to come along since she had the day off. She mentioned that maybe a surprise would not be such a good idea for my sister. I said that I was pretty confident that she would be home. Based on recent conversations with her and the knowledge of her lack of transportation boosted that confidence. I figured if she wasn't home she would only have walked somewhere and we could have picked her up. She also always has her phone with her. I just really liked the idea of a surprise. We stopped along the way to pick up a nice plant for her (since she would like that better than flowers). We decided to call about 10 minutes before we would be arriving at her house just to give her a chance to get dressed incase she was not already.
She did not answer her phone. We arrived at her house and called again. She did not answer again. Knocked several times on the door, no answer. We waited a little bit, called again, no answer. I decided to take the kids to the park nearby so they could get out of the car while we waited. We were probably about 10 minutes away. She called back shortly after the kids started running around. I told her that we were there and that we wanted to take her to lunch. She told me that she just got home and her daughter (an adult) was hungry right now and wanted to eat now. I was like... ok... well can she wait a little while so we can come and get you? Response: not really, she's hungry..... and when [my somma time man] calls we need to leave to go downtown.. .. sorry... you should know not to surprise me. WTF!
Talk about deflation... well the surprise was on me wasn't it? I start my day happy about the chance to cheer somebody up and the day turns into hassle and disappointment. Why should I be unhappy about somebody not wanting my gift? I tell myself I shouldn't be but that didn't help very much. I don't see my sister often, she lives about an hour away from me. Going there just to take her to lunch was kind of a big deal and I know that we saw her in January but I am not sure that we've seen her since. I would think that she would have been a little more happy that we drove all the way there to give her a gift. You don't mind the inconvenience if you have the chance to do something nice... but the lack of something nice left just the hassle. Grrrr!
So I let the kids choose where they wanted to eat, we went there and they enjoyed their lunch and we now have a nice plant for ourselves :) In the future I will certainly think long and hard before trying to make any of my gifts a surprise.... I think I've had enough of those to last 29 days worth... well 25 now.
My Mimi was planning on reading me three stories last night as her gift. Since we were gone all day and did not arrive home until bedtime... she did not get to do that either. It was a lose/lose day for us in respect to our giving. The optimist in my (the one that lives waaaay down in my little baby toe so far away, visiting very infrequently, is nowhere to be found today.... maybe she'll show up later) should be reminding me of the other gifts we each gave yesterday but eh.... not right now. No plans yet for today's gift.
She did not answer her phone. We arrived at her house and called again. She did not answer again. Knocked several times on the door, no answer. We waited a little bit, called again, no answer. I decided to take the kids to the park nearby so they could get out of the car while we waited. We were probably about 10 minutes away. She called back shortly after the kids started running around. I told her that we were there and that we wanted to take her to lunch. She told me that she just got home and her daughter (an adult) was hungry right now and wanted to eat now. I was like... ok... well can she wait a little while so we can come and get you? Response: not really, she's hungry..... and when [my somma time man] calls we need to leave to go downtown.. .. sorry... you should know not to surprise me. WTF!
Talk about deflation... well the surprise was on me wasn't it? I start my day happy about the chance to cheer somebody up and the day turns into hassle and disappointment. Why should I be unhappy about somebody not wanting my gift? I tell myself I shouldn't be but that didn't help very much. I don't see my sister often, she lives about an hour away from me. Going there just to take her to lunch was kind of a big deal and I know that we saw her in January but I am not sure that we've seen her since. I would think that she would have been a little more happy that we drove all the way there to give her a gift. You don't mind the inconvenience if you have the chance to do something nice... but the lack of something nice left just the hassle. Grrrr!
So I let the kids choose where they wanted to eat, we went there and they enjoyed their lunch and we now have a nice plant for ourselves :) In the future I will certainly think long and hard before trying to make any of my gifts a surprise.... I think I've had enough of those to last 29 days worth... well 25 now.
My Mimi was planning on reading me three stories last night as her gift. Since we were gone all day and did not arrive home until bedtime... she did not get to do that either. It was a lose/lose day for us in respect to our giving. The optimist in my (the one that lives waaaay down in my little baby toe so far away, visiting very infrequently, is nowhere to be found today.... maybe she'll show up later) should be reminding me of the other gifts we each gave yesterday but eh.... not right now. No plans yet for today's gift.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Day Three
Mimi wanted to give her brother a face painting for her gift today. We absolutely did NOT tell him it was a gift. She offered and he accepted. Phew... that worked! Unfortunately for all of us involved, not such a good response from this either. He smeared it right away and said it was ugly and he told her that she was a bad face painter. He's consistent... have to give him that. He made me wash it off :(
For my gift today I bought my parents breakfast. We ate together and spent the morning together. I also gave my husband the gift of a clean kitchen. He sooo dislikes a messy kitchen. Normally I would not call that a gift because I always clean the kitchen and he isn't the only one who doesn't like it cluttered. One would think that since he does not like a messy kitchen that he would stop making messy kitchens. Well that would just be a silly assumption. He commented on how it was so nice to see it so neat and clean when he walked in (prompting me to think it was a nice gift). I of course did not mention that he makes it messy with his two big hands. He then tells me that I "did good" as if I were some kind of animal in training.... EWWW! That comment was not received so well.
On one of Cami Walker's videos she talked about how she has been receiving so many gifts since giving so many. She spoke about the fact that when she is so tight-fisted with her money she seems to only need more. When she allows herself to give it away and not hold it so dearly, it comes back to her in so many ways. Today Mimi and I received many wonderful gifts. She got a very beautiful piece of jewelry from a very generous friends. I received two vintage pins that I am thrilled with and a great new book that I am excited to read. Thank you so much to my Mommy, John and Ms. Christina! Your thoughtful gifts made two people happy and grateful today!
For my gift today I bought my parents breakfast. We ate together and spent the morning together. I also gave my husband the gift of a clean kitchen. He sooo dislikes a messy kitchen. Normally I would not call that a gift because I always clean the kitchen and he isn't the only one who doesn't like it cluttered. One would think that since he does not like a messy kitchen that he would stop making messy kitchens. Well that would just be a silly assumption. He commented on how it was so nice to see it so neat and clean when he walked in (prompting me to think it was a nice gift). I of course did not mention that he makes it messy with his two big hands. He then tells me that I "did good" as if I were some kind of animal in training.... EWWW! That comment was not received so well.
On one of Cami Walker's videos she talked about how she has been receiving so many gifts since giving so many. She spoke about the fact that when she is so tight-fisted with her money she seems to only need more. When she allows herself to give it away and not hold it so dearly, it comes back to her in so many ways. Today Mimi and I received many wonderful gifts. She got a very beautiful piece of jewelry from a very generous friends. I received two vintage pins that I am thrilled with and a great new book that I am excited to read. Thank you so much to my Mommy, John and Ms. Christina! Your thoughtful gifts made two people happy and grateful today!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day Two
First let's start with Mimi's gift for yesterday.... She decided to give her brother a story. She told him that he could pick any of her books and she would read it to him in her bed before they went to sleep. Well, let's just say that her very first gift did not go quite as planned. When I sent him to go see his sister because she had a gift for him, he walked away with a smile, off to find her. Unfortunately, her gift was not what he had in mind. He proceeded to tell her that if it was not a toy that he did not want her gift. After finally deciding to accept her story, he chose a book and they got into bed. People were laid upon, dolls heads were stepped on and stomping about and anger all transpired within the next few minutes. Much misunderstanding going on there. Needless to say we will no longer inform the little boy when he is going to receive a gift. We will just spare him any undue disappointment in not getting a toy.
I was rather disappointed that the first day did not turn out well for my little gift giver. I went to bed hoping that the incident did not change her mind about the idea. I need to learn to have more faith because today she was all ready with her idea for today's gift. She knew right away that she wanted to make a card for a friend. She did just that and since we did not have time to deliver it today, we will be delivering it tomorrow.
Today my mother called me and asked if I wanted to meet her at the bookstore when she got off of work. I was able to buy her a coffee and we sat down and enjoyed our caffeine together as we perused some magazines and books in the cafe. When she went to pay for her book before she left, I told her that I wanted to buy it for her. It was my gift for the day.
As for the progress on making my little boy a giver.... well, it's only been one day and we all know Rome wasn't built in a day. The other day he did ask me if I could give him money to buy his sister something that she wanted. I told him that I would but we have not had the chance to do it yet. Maybe that will be his first gift. That is, if he doesn't get distracted in the process and find something that maybe he would like for himself instead. He is 4 after all.
I was rather disappointed that the first day did not turn out well for my little gift giver. I went to bed hoping that the incident did not change her mind about the idea. I need to learn to have more faith because today she was all ready with her idea for today's gift. She knew right away that she wanted to make a card for a friend. She did just that and since we did not have time to deliver it today, we will be delivering it tomorrow.
Today my mother called me and asked if I wanted to meet her at the bookstore when she got off of work. I was able to buy her a coffee and we sat down and enjoyed our caffeine together as we perused some magazines and books in the cafe. When she went to pay for her book before she left, I told her that I wanted to buy it for her. It was my gift for the day.
As for the progress on making my little boy a giver.... well, it's only been one day and we all know Rome wasn't built in a day. The other day he did ask me if I could give him money to buy his sister something that she wanted. I told him that I would but we have not had the chance to do it yet. Maybe that will be his first gift. That is, if he doesn't get distracted in the process and find something that maybe he would like for himself instead. He is 4 after all.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day One
Starting a blog was definitely NOT on my to-do list today. The thought just came to me about an hour ago. Now I have a blog.... WHAT?!?!?! Two days ago a friend said that I should start a blog. The comment immediately received a sarcastic response something along the lines of... "Ok, great idea. What should I blog about? All the dust bunnies taking over my house. I can take pictures of the dust bunny of the day." I have never had a desire to blog, never had a diary, and never wrote in a journal. Why do I have one now?
Today I came across a video of Cami Walker. I have never heard of her or her book 29 Gifts. I was inspired to kick off my own 29 days of giving. What am I going to give? Your guess is as good as mine. I haven't a clue. Do you need something?
I absolutely had to include my kids in this journey. I was not very much surprised by their response to the challenge. My 6 year old daughter was all for it and was already listing things that she could give. She created the design of this blog for us and I know she will be contributing. My 4 year old son is not very interested in either giving things to others or trying to make them happy. This has now become my ultimate goal in the adventure..... make him change his mind about giving and creating happiness. Wish me luck I have a feeling that I am going to need it.
For my first gift of the day, I have shared my plans along with the 29 Gifts website with a friend and am challenging her to do the same with her daughter. I am pretty confident that she will take me up on the offer and I truly believe that this will be a gift for them both. As for my sweet little Mimi, she has not decided on her gift yet. Stay tuned...
Today I came across a video of Cami Walker. I have never heard of her or her book 29 Gifts. I was inspired to kick off my own 29 days of giving. What am I going to give? Your guess is as good as mine. I haven't a clue. Do you need something?
I absolutely had to include my kids in this journey. I was not very much surprised by their response to the challenge. My 6 year old daughter was all for it and was already listing things that she could give. She created the design of this blog for us and I know she will be contributing. My 4 year old son is not very interested in either giving things to others or trying to make them happy. This has now become my ultimate goal in the adventure..... make him change his mind about giving and creating happiness. Wish me luck I have a feeling that I am going to need it.
For my first gift of the day, I have shared my plans along with the 29 Gifts website with a friend and am challenging her to do the same with her daughter. I am pretty confident that she will take me up on the offer and I truly believe that this will be a gift for them both. As for my sweet little Mimi, she has not decided on her gift yet. Stay tuned...
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