Bucket Fillers

The kids school is focusing on the theme "bucket fillers" this year based on this book about teaching kids to express kindness and love in their actions.  They have t-shirts they wear every week and each class has a notebook that is sent home with a child every weekend to complete a family bucket-filling project. 

Kamdyn was the first one in her class to bring home the notebook so I really felt the pressure to make our project something good.  We decided to take toys and clothes to donate to the women's shelter in town.  Kamdyn has a heart for shelters so I thought it would be a good one for her.  She helped get everything together and load in the car and my job was to deliver it.  I'm embarrassed to say it's still in my car, but I will get it delivered eventually!  I'm a bad mom, I know!

Our other project was to make cards to send to some of the older adults in our church who are undergoing cancer treatments now.  We didn't have many art supplies on hand so I just let Kam do whatever she wanted.  She wrote this note to Ms. Evelyn...it makes me smile every time I read it. 

She sent this note to Mr. Dewey, who is one of the finest men I know....

Both these people told me how much Kam's cards meant to them and I've even heard others mention how sweet it was.   It made me realize that I need to be more intentional in taking time to send notes, cards, etc. to those who need encouragement or just need to know that someone is praying for them.  

Cooper had to get in on the card making too.  He made this card for Braxton and he even included a dollar bill for his best cousin.  Don't ask me why, but he tries to give money to everyone.  We took the card to Brax's mailbox and I think he loved it!

On the flip side, the book also discusses "bucket dippers" and I'm afraid that more often than not, we fall into that category.  It's something we can work on with the kids and help them to recognize now. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."     

-1 Thessalonians 5:11

The President

My department has a meeting with our new president on Friday and at dinner last night, I asked Mark to take the kids to school so I wouldn't be late.  Kam's ears perked up and said, "the president is coming to our house?"  I told her I was talking about the president of Henderson, not the United States, and he was coming to my office and not my house.  She told me this morning that I probably needed to get there early to "tidy up" (except she pronounced it "tiddy up").

That conversation, coupled with the fact that we pray for our country, the upcoming election, and Godly leaders, I guess is what prompted Cooper to say this on the way to school this morning.  

"Our president is dumb.  He doesn't president very well.  If I saw him I would say, boo!" (big emphasis on the boo!).

Out of the mouths of babes..... I'm sure his Dad, the closet politician, is so proud!  For the record though, he denies saying the dumb part and dumb is actually a bad word at our house.  However, I'm pretty sure I didn't correct him on this!
 

Spirit Week

Last week was homecoming at school so the kids dressed up each day for spirit week.  As you would expect, Kamdyn was all into it.  Cooper pretty much refused to let me take his picture each day, although he seemed happy to dress up.

Monday was "Hollywood Day"..... Kam told her teacher that she was dressed up as Nicki Minaj, which I totally don't get, but whatever she wants to tell herself is fine with me!  Most of the boys wore spiked hair and sunglasses. 

Tuesday was "Camo Day"....

As I mentioned, Cooper was so not into the picture taking...

But he finally cooperated.  I'm pretty sure I threatened him with no TV, which seems to work these days considering he is obsessed with watching baseball constantly!

 Yes, we live in the country but would you believe that we had to go buy a camouflage shirt?

Thursday was "Western Day".... As you can tell, my little cowgirl doesn't look too happy in this picture.  We tried on the whole outfit the night before to avoid drama and even agreed on the braided hair.  However, Kam seemed to think I was french-braiding her hair instead of the agreed upon pig-tail braids....even though I stopped and restarted three times to prove to her I was keeping my part of the bargain.  I'm not even going to go into the ridiculous fit this girl threw all morning long!  Cooper wore jeans, cowboy boots, and a t-shirt and we decided he was dressed more "redneck" than cowboy!

Thursday was "Favorite Team Day".... Cooper was especially excited about this day because he wanted to wear his St. Louis Cardinals shirt.  It happened to be dirty and we tried to talk him into wearing a Yankees or Razorback shirt and his reply was, "but it's favorite team day!"  So, of course, I let him wear the dirty Cardinals shirt.  Hopefully, no one noticed!

Friday was "Blue/White Day".... Cooper wore his first Bismarck Lions shirt and enjoyed his first pep rally.  He wasn't too thrilled about going when we were telling him about it, but I think he had a great time!