A Good Deed

As I mentioned in my last post, the kids came up with something pretty amazing for the last day of the "Summer Chain of Events".  Early on in the summer, McKayla told us she wanted to do a lemonade stand.  In July we started talking about how to do it and what supplies we would need.  A week or so before we were set to do it, she made a pretty remarkable decision.  She came to us and told us that she wanted to donate the money she made to cancer research.  When we asked her how much of it she wanted to donate, she said, "all of it!". I'm sure you can imagine how proud that made Justin and me.  If you know McKayla, you know she has the biggest heart (especially for only being 9).  This is not the first time she has donated her own time and money to a charity. 

About a year ago or so, we were walking out of Publix and I saw some people raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training.  This is something I did a few years back.  Basically, you raise money and run in the "Rock 'n' Roll" marathon (or half) in San Diego.  Since I recognized and had been part of the charity I went and donated a few dollars and was talking to the woman about my experience.  As we walked to the car McKayla started asking questions about what it was and what the money was for.  Once I told her she immediately asked, "Can I give them some of my money?" So we went back to the booth they had set up and she gave them $15.00 (how much she had decided to donate). When we got home she ran to her piggy bank and gave me $15.00.  She has also participated with me in fundraisers for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Cancer Society. 

A couple days before she did her lemonade stand we got supplies (straws, cups, lemonade mix, soda, water), decided on prices, and made signs.  We put a sign up on Bannerman and two more leading people to our home. 

The sign on Bannerman

Justin and I may have helped with the signs :)

You're almost there...

Seth and McKayla are ready for customers. 

The neighbors helped too!!!

I must say, I was really impressed with all of our neighbors, many of them stopped by and gave much more than the cost of a drink.  We also had family and friends that came out to support the cause.  How much did they raise?

 

$126 

 

We are over the moon proud of these kids!!!

Summer Chain of Events, Week 6

The final week of our Summer Chain of Events was not the most well organized one.  This was my first "official" week back at work so it makes executing everything a bit tough.  Things got moved and changed around and then we still missed a couple things and substituted some.  Here's what we ended up with.

Monday, August 13th: Water balloon fights!!!

Tuesday, August 14th: Frisbees at the park. This one didn't actually happen.  We didn't have time to do it and then we got rained out on the day we were going to make it up.

Wednesday, August 15th: On Wednesday we took the kids up to Gilchrist to find out who their teachers are.  The each found their names on the class lists and were happy with who they got.  Seth has Mrs. Snyder (1st) and McKayla has Mrs. Poll (4th).  Unfortunately, the only pictures I got were of their class lists and since those have other peoples names on them I don't want to post them here. 

Thursday, August 16th: We made Fenway some yummy, home made, dog treats.  I got the recipe from my SIL and Fenway absolutely loves them!!!

Friday, August 17th: On Friday night the kids had a living room camp-out.  I have no pictures of this :(

Saturday, August 18th: This day we were supposed to have a picnic at the park but we got rained out.

Sunday, August 19th: Justin and I had planned to take the kids to the Tallahassee Museum but the kids had come up with something so wonderful, we scratched our plan and did theirs instead.  The kid's choice was so AWESOME that it's going to get its own post.  Stay tuned for that. 

Well, that's the sad ending to our summer chain of events.  I am sad that summer vacation has ended and I know the kids are too.  Luckily, going back to school means that the kids will get to start playing sports again (football, volleyball, soccer, baseball, etc.).  Only 41 weeks until we do it all again :)

Summer Chain of Events, Week 5: Week in Tennessee

For our fifth week of summer with the kids, we had only one chain and it read, "Going to Tennessee!". That's just what we did.

On Monday, July 30th, we packed up the truck with clothes, a pack 'n' play, a dog crate, a stroller, movies, snacks, and a few other essentials.  Then the six of us (including Fenway) loaded up at 5:00 a.m. and started the eight hour drive to Dandridge, Tennessee where my Dad and Step-Mom live.  Everyone traveled great and we only had to stop three times.  When we got there we were rewarded with this view from the house of Lake Douglas...

The week was jam packed full of fun.  There was water skiing, tubing, knee-boarding, swimming, jet ski's, a trip to the forbidden caverns, a trip to Wonderworks, and about a million or so games of Yahtzee (Seth's new favorite). 

I'll let the pictures tell the details...

Huck and Uncle Ryan :)

Ryan on the tractor

Dad thinks he's a farmer now because he has a tractor :)

Dad and his kids! 

Love my brother!!!

They love their uncle Ryan and owe him BIG TIME

for all the trips on the boat and being pulled by the boat. 

Huck the astronaut!

Pitching Practice

Throwing as fast as he can!

Rock wall climbing. 

Justin and dad pedaling to get upside down.  They did it!

Working on his skateboarding skills. 

The kids with Grandma Donna :)

Our house on Google Maps. 

Harder than it looks!

Huck and his Grandpa

Uncle Ryan takes the kids tubing, again!

Hanging out in the shade. 

That's McKayla knee-boarding. She can be a bit of a dare devil. 

Wave Runner Rides

Grandpa was the only one to get up on the skis. 

About to head into the caverns. 

Deep in the caverns. It's a bit cold down there!

Stopped for breakfast on our way home. 

We had another great week in Tennessee.  We're already looking forward to next year's trip.  Hopefully my SIL and the kids will make it next time.  We really missed having them there.