The Alphabet Kids: November 2009

I promise this is not just a repeat of my Trick or Treat from Halloween. Or the Halloween party at school. I know I tend to repeat myself or forget what I've said and done (we'll blame that on Ethan's 3 am wake ups) but this is a new blog, about, you guessed it - TRICK OR TREAT!

So, about the beginning of October I was throwing away a bucket full of candy that was left over from a parade the kids and I went to in early JULY. After thinking about that and all the candy my kids would be getting trick or treating, I began to have candy on the brain. It was like a message was sent to me when I picked up a magazine that Joyce had given me and I read an article about a woman who sent Christmas stockings to soldiers serving overseas. I had my moment when the light bulb went off.

We were going to send some of our candy overseas to some soldiers. I thought about it and decided I would ask the other preschool moms (and dads) if they would be interested. I sent home a flyer. At first, I heard nothing. Bryan told me that he didn't think we'd get much, since our kids didn't bring home tons of candy. But I held out hope. I was going to get SOME candy.

But then the candy started coming. Next it was pouring in. But I still had to figure out who to send it to. Through our church I found a woman who is a member of Blue Star Mothers, and her son is serving in the Marines. She actually offered to pay my shipping! So I sent out a follow up email to parents and even made some phone calls. Bring on the candy!

I went in to the preschool Monday morning to have the kids write out cards. They were really cute and asked about where the soldiers lived, how their candy was going to get there, etc.

I had Bryan write up a news release for me and I sent it out hoping that the hometown paper would pick it up and add it to their "School News" section. Today I got a phone call that the Register wants to use us as their feature school article in Monday's paper! Super excited, but with only a few limited pictures I rounded up a few good kids & parents (that donated candy of course) and in less than 20 minutes had 5 kids for more pictures! You guys rock! I also got an email tonight that we'll be in the Catholic Chronicle as well!

Super super excited. I've been on cloud nine all day! While I should just feel good about the "doing good" part and not need the recognition, it's always nice to know that someone does recognize your efforts.

But really it wasn't just my efforts. It was the efforts of the kids in Christina's class. I took my Blue Star Mom tonight 54 pounds of candy. Yes, you read that right! 54 lbs!!! And I guess not only the recognition is good, but it's also good knowing that 54 lbs of candy isn't going straight to my hips & thighs!

I also need to add my funny with Christina & Dominic and the candy. Dominic could really care less what was going on with the candy, but Christina and I had to have a talk about where her candy was going.

After I explained to her, and how well can you explain war to a four year old, she seemed ok with her candy going to the soldiers. Well, Christina & Dominic were helping me box the candy up and she asked him if he knew where the candy was going. She then told him it was "going to soldiers who are fighting for us and fighting for candy - and now they don't have to fight for candy anymore." I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry, but I do know I have one amazing 4 year old!

Ok, so my kids are usually not picky about what they eat, for the most part. And when it comes to snacks, we stick with the kid favorites - goldfish, bananas, fruit snacks, cheese & crackers, granola bars - you know some good, some not so good for you.

Well, Bryan went shopping on Friday night by himself and brought home this jumbo bag of Shearer's Butter Corn Puffs and asked me if they reminded me of anything. And they did. A little over a year and a half ago this picture of Christina was taken. You can tell by looking at it that she enjoyed her snack.

But I don't think we'd had them since then. We now have two more kids who would most likely be helping their big sister with this new bag. And helping they did! Well, Christina might have called it a hinderance, since she had to share!

Anyway, Saturday at lunch Dominic ate three large handfuls! By Saturday afternoon snack time, Christina and Ethan got in on the action. Then, when I came down stairs last night from putting Ethan to bed, Christina and Dominic were sitting on the couch eating cup fulls.

Don't be to harsh to judge my children's eating habits. I know they need their fruits, veggies, grains and what not, and we try really hard to stay on top of this. But sometimes it's fun to just eat junk food! So we don't do this everyday, and my kids do enjoy their green beans and grapes.

With that being said, Dominic found the bag of "popcorn" this afternoon and the snacking began again. I actually had to pour them into a bowl because the bag was getting torn! They were fighting over it! They finished their bag off this evening. So in a little less than two days my three children ate an entire bag of these things!

Christina was enjoying having the bowl in her possession. She did make sure everyone got some, but at one time she was holding the bowl above Dominic's head and told him to reach!