RAOK--Week One

I ran across an idea on Pinterest (if you don't know what this is, you should--it's amazing!) of how to help your kids focus on others instead of themselves at Christmas time.  It sounded really fun and worthwhile, and since I knew they'd be out of school from Thanksgiving to January, I decided we would have plenty of time to give it a try.

Basically, it was a list of Random Acts of Kindness that we can do together, one for each day of December.  I thought it might be fun to blog about it too!

Dec. 1--I introduced the idea and the kids thought it sounded like fun.  I gave three $1 bills to each boy, which they slipped into three of their favorite books at the library, along with a note that read, "If you are lucky enough to find our surprise, Merry Christmas!  This is one of our favorite books.  We hope you enjoy it.  Love, Some Christmas Elves".  This was super exciting!  They tried very hard not to let anyone see what they were doing.  So sneaky!

Dec. 2--Wrote notes to friends.  They are men of few words.  Carson wrote, "What do you want for Christmas?"  That was it.  Spencer had to keep adding P.S. and P.P.S. because I told him he hadn't said enough.  Even then it was brief and to-the-point.  Oh well.  Hopefully eloquence will develop with age.

Dec. 3--After our family night, we got in the car and went to the grocery store to buy a much-needed gallon of milk.  As we got to the checkout, I made Spencer ask the clerk what her favorite candy bar was.  We fumbled around a bit, trying to locate a regular Snickers, paid for it, and wished her a Merry Christmas.  She seemed pleased, though not as surprised as I expected.  Maybe it was all the fumbling and conspiratorial whispering that clued her in.  Anyway, the boys enjoyed it and Spencer got out of his comfort zone a little bit. 

Dec. 4--Carson went to a birthday party at the skating rink/fun center.  We took him to the party, and then Spencer went into the boys' bathroom and left a large candy bar attached to a sign thanking the person who cleans the bathroom.  Hopefully some naughty child didn't just steal the candy.

Dec. 5--We left a treat and a note for our garbage man... 

Andy and I were worried that he wouldn't see it or he wouldn't read it, assuming it was trash, but all was well.  When I heard the truck come up the street, I was making beds and the kids were outside getting in the car for swimming lessons.  We all watched anxiously to see if the gift would be received.  He was just about to lower the big claw when he stopped, looked, opened the door, and pulled the sign off the trash can.  A BIG smile spread across his face and he looked around to figure out which of the several children outside had made the sign.  The givers were actually spying from the garage.  The garbage man grinned again, waved, and drove off.  I'm sure it made his day.  This is my favorite RAOK so far!

Dec. 6--Last day of swimming lessons.  Each boy taped some quarters to the vending machine just outside the pool, along with a note reading, "This snack's on us!  Merry Christmas!  From, A Christmas Elf."  To be quite honest, I was shocked at the cost of the snacks!  Gone are the days of the 50 cent candy bar.  You can't get anything for less than $1!  Oh well, maybe some hungry person will be glad for the help.

Dec. 7--Held the doors open for patrons of Wendy's.  Some young guys were rather surprised when Spencer wished them a Merry Christmas as they walked in, and they said, "Merry Christmas to you too, little buddy!"  Some high school girls commented, "How cute!" when Carson greeted them. 

Dec. 8--Paid a surprise visit to Grandma and Grandpa in Provo by riding the new high-speed train.  Getting there was no big deal, but getting home was a whole other story.  They waited for an hour and half, standing in the aisle of a bus, just to get on the train to go home.  After that, it was another hour and half on the train, and then a few minutes to drive back home!  They seemed cheerful and upbeat about the whole thing.

Dec. 9--Wrote Christmas cards.  Again, not a lot of wordiness, but it was sufficient.

I'll keep you updated on the coming week's activities!