Day of kindness

I had my annual last-week-of-summer panic.  While we had a busy and full summer, I always seem to worry about what we didn't do, what we ran out of time for.    One of the things on that list was an act of kindness day.   When I realized it, we only had ONE day that was not spoken for so I booked a sitter for Finn and the three big kids and I started planning.

Caroline baked and baked and baked - the old classic chocolate chip cookies.  We delivered them to the pediatrician's office, the fire station by our house, our parish office and the physical therapy place where Caroline and I have been going this summer (long story.)   Who doesn't love a good chocolate chip cookie.

Second, we hand painted rocks and left them to be discovered all around the outdoor courtyard at our closest hospital.  Next time, we'll just paint hearts on black river stones - so much easier.

The kids made cards that we delivered to the closest nursing home.  The activities director walked around with us so we got to meet and talk to each person who received one of the cards.  One man even spent 10 minutes talking to the kids about how they should marry for life and never see divorce as an option.   And luckily, my two boys with ants-in-their-pants actually stood still and listened to every word.  Its an act of kindness miracle!!!

Next up, we paid for a person's order behind us in the drive-thru.  We were at Sonic so we were still sitting waiting for our own order when our act of kindness recipient pulled around us  She was soooo excited.  It was awesome!

We ended our day by putting $1 bills around the dollar store for people to find.

All very easy things to do, but by far, one of my favorite days of summer!

We spin you round and round......

 There's a new sound at our house and its the sound of tunes on vinyl.    Miss Caroline, who has always been old-school,  asked for a record player for her birthday and this gift has ended up being a treat for the whole family.   Vinyl (don't call them records!) is back and Urban Outfitters sells the coolest Crosley record players in fun bubble gum colors.Her requested albums were Imagine Dragons and Mumford and Sons.    Bart's contribution was Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.     All of that was good and fine, but then she was invited to dive into the collection of Bart's uncle.  And home came the Age of Aquarius, the Sound of Music, Frank Sinatra and Sonny and Cher.  And now we hang out and all dance in her room.  Not only is the music a glimpse into the times of no iTunes and no cell phones, but music on vinyl just sounds better - not quality of sound better, but quality of life better.  I can't wait until school starts and I can sew during naptime to the tunes of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.  I leave you with this,  a snippet of a song that my Dad used to sing to me:

Keep on spinning those tunes Caroline.  You're one cool cat!