In an effort to show our kids we don't always need everything, and that sometimes we should give back, we just had our annual donating post-birthday challenge.
My oldest daughter celebrated her 4th birthday today. Every birthday she celebrates, we spend time post birthday going through her toys to donate. After her first birthday, we donated to the daycare she used to attend. For her second and third, we donated toys to our local charities.
And while yes we had a fun day together while her little sister spent the day with nanny, and that we even made a stop at build a bear, this year was different. We started off a a giving back note.
This year our youngest daughter will be turning two and wants to play with all the toys that our oldest no longer wants. We found we didn't have much to give away, yet still wanted to show her that even though she received a generous amount of gifts on her birthday, that others aren't always as fortunate.
So today we decided to give back as well as have a fun, real life experience for Kenley.
We took her to Sobeys, directed her to the non parishable food items, and we let her shop. We told her she could get what ever she wanted and that we would take her to a place where she could give it to families who needed a bit of help.
She took her small cart and set off.
First item: toilet paper
(Off to a pretty good start if you ask me)
She felt people wanted spaghetti & sauce, 3 cans of peas, another can of peas & carrots, a box of under the sea shaped kraft dinner, some ketchup, rice, juice, some fruit by the foot and ranch salad dressing. Not the makings of a gourmet mealy by any stretch, but abosolutely perfect nonetheless.
We let her get whatever she wanted. She did her random picking with pride and confidence. She rang them through all on her own and we even let her do the debit machine.
When we left we took her to Feed Nova Scotia. She very proudly carried her groceries in, with a little help of course. She told the lady working that it was her birthday and she was donating food.
She was so thrilled at how the lady was proud and how she said she was helping out someone who need it. I was thrilled when they took her information down and told us she would receive a thank you card in the mail.
Even in the most everyday activities, there is always a chance to learn. She had a fantastic time acting like a "grown up" 4 year old and most importantly giving back. What a happy birthday indeed.
-Natalie
"Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but what we give." - Ben Carson