The gift that keeps on giving...

So, as a kid, Christmas is pretty much all about getting gifts right? Well, this year I resolved to make sure that our kids learned, especially Parker, since he is old enough to understand, that Christmas is also about giving. Back in September I was feeling convicted to make the holidays different this year. Since I have the luxury of being home with the kids I decided that starting the day after Thanksgiving we would pick 2 people every week until New years to bring a "surprise" too. So far this has been a huge hit in our house and everyday Parker wakes up and asks who we are bringing a gift. Even Lillie has gotten excited about bringing "surprise" to people. Here is what we have done so far.. and there is more to come!

1st week- We brought breakfast to the ladies at the library. Parker and Lillie helped me make up a fruit dish and we baked some cin.rolls and banana bread. We love those ladies and they treat us SO well that this was an easy one to start off with and I knew Parker would understand why we were doing it. I wish I had a camera, b/c Parker was soooooo excited when we got there. He ran into the library before I could even get inside with all the food and announced "Order up!". The ladies were so appreciative and Parker hasn't stopped talking about it yet. Lillie, well I guess she is still too young b/c she kept trying to climb up on the counter to steal grapes, lick the icing off the rolls and pick the chocolate chips out of the bread (*sigh*)

We also did an Operation Christmas Child box this first week. We went to the store and Parker filled up a shoebox full of toys and goodies that he would want for a needy boy in a third world country . At first he would pick out a toy and say, "Mom, can I have one too?" but after explaining several times this was for a little boy who wouldn't get any other presents, he started picking out all sorts of cool things. Items that didn't even fit in shoe boxes like, a gigantic 4 foot T-Rex and then he had this great idea to include a pet goldfish (of all things!) I was so proud of him for understanding who this box was for and how happy it would make some boy far away. We packed it all up and he wrapped it (good thing we didn't get graded on that part) and afterward we prayed for the little guy who would receive it. Almost every night he asks me if our box has gotten to "that little kid" yet. We included a picture of our family and our address and I am hoping maybe we will get a response back.

The second week I asked Parker on Sunday night who he wanted to "surprise". We came up with a few ideas and I figured as the week went on we would think of some more. Well, it had been in the 70's for almost 2 weeks and out of nowhere on Thursday morning we woke up and it was frigidly cold. On our way into town that afternoon to get a movie from the library we saw the mail carrier walking and Parker mentioned how funny she looked in her ear muffs and scarf. I had the idea to get hot chocolates for the carriers since it was almost time for all of them to wrap up for the day. So, we bought a bunch of DQ hot cocoas and brought them over to the post office. None of the carriers were there yet so we just left them and went on our way. Parker mentioned in the car that he was sad b/c he wanted to "give the mail people the hot chocolates". I told him that sometimes the "surprises" were just that and we wouldn't get to see the people getting them. Well, on Friday morning when we went to go get our mail, I opened our box and it was stuffed with thank you notes for the kids and stickers and smiley faces. Parker called it a "party in our box". Everyday since, Parker has wanted to bring hot chocolate to the post office! We don't even know any of the carriers which made this "surprise" sort of fun and we gained 4 new friends in the process!

This week we also brought bright yellow flowers to two people we know but don't see often. Who would have thought flowers could bring so much joy but I guess since the weather has turned colder and dreary, some flowers are just the cure for the blah's. Parker and Lillie each picked out a bouquet from the store and we hand delivered them to two of the sweetest older ladies we know. Lillie did not want to give them up but after some coaxing from Parker she relinquished them (with just a few tears). The one lady owns a consignment store and so as a thank you she let the kids pick out any two toys in her store. You better believe that they want to go and give Ms. Norma some more flowers:) I was worried that receiving something in return might defeat the purpose of this whole idea but so far they have not expected anything from anyone else.

We're in our 3rd week and our first surprise this week was ALL Parker's idea which made it even more special for him. As we were getting ready to leave for school I asked him what he wanted for lunch when he got home and he said a peanut butter sandwich and then he whispers to me, "Mom, can you bring one for Ms. Bonnie? She really likes peanut butter." I wasn't sure this was exactly true but I asked him if he wanted to pack some treats and a snack for her. So he went into our pantry and picked her out a granola bar and an orange and a box drink. When I went to pick him up he came running out and said, "Mom! Ms. Bonnie forgot her lunch today and she is going to eat my snacks!" He was soo happy to help his teacher out and she was grateful for something to eat in b/w classes!

So, what began as an idea to instill love and thoughtfulness in my children during a time of year that can be self-centered, stressful and busy, busy, busy, has turned into a kind of social experiment as well. Parker and Lillie are beginning to think that "surprising" people is the norm and I am beginning to think that we are going to make this a year long activity rather than just a holiday time one. I am having SO much fun with this and I think in some ways this is my answer to the prayer of HATING winter. I hate (actually despise) cold, snow, ice, frost, coats, scarves and gloves! But in the midst of it all, we have found some fun ways to make the most of it and even look forward to a wind chill factor. That's not to say I won't be thrilled when we can deliver ice cold lemonade to someone instead of hot cocoa but I am beginning to think that this winter will be bearable, maybe even ((GASP)) enjoyable!