The Art of Volunteering

The journey beyond my own back yard has begun.

When we first moved here, March 2004, I walked the neighborhood, in search of people who would like to be a part of a progressive luncheon (in hopes to get to know a few fellow neighbors). Shortly before the luncheon, I created and managed a neighborhood web site. People were able to suddenly connect and know who they lived next too. Our house is even a 'volunteer' McGruff House for kids. Shortly after I created the web site, I volunteered for the local festival committee, and applied to be on the park and rec commission. The first year on the festival committee, I sold pony ride tickets and helped set up. The second year I coordinated the dance entertainment and royalty program. I also coordinated Halloween activities in our neighborhood, and helped with National Night Out. Last year, I was asked to be a tri-chair for the school districts bond and levy campaign. Though our children will never attend the school district in which we live (or the surrounding districts) I felt compelled to help. I learned about a lot through this experience that even made my reasoning's sounder of why our kids won't be attending this school district. This is now my second year on park and rec., and this year I have the honor of being the chair. I enjoy serving on park and rec.~ I hope to be on it for a while.

I'm excited to "branch out" now.

About a month back, I filled out my information for a background check to volunteer for the Flint Hill Children's Festival in Saint Paul. We have gone for the past few years and really enjoy it. Since the Festival and it's staff have put such smiles on our faces, I thought it would be a great way to give something back.

Today was my first assignment as a volunteer. I worked from 10am until 5p.m. preparing children's art work for the art crawl and helping hang hot air balloons in Dunn Brother's. (People thought we were decorating for Cinco de Mayo!) What a fun group of people to work with! It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday as well. Up on the 12th floor of the Landmark Tower building, you could see the view of the river and witness the pelting of rain.

I already look forward to my next volunteer duties! I'm so blessed that I have such a supportive husband that lets me volunteer for these things that I feel passionate about. I admit, I have the most amazing husband. I'm blessed in so many ways- it all starts and ends with his presence in my life.

This weekend was non-stop for me, as are most week days currently. I'm quite tired...however, I am filled with joy.

Parade of Houses

Saturday night, and the house is quiet at 9:30PM. All my boys are sound asleep. Daddy too! He stayed home with the boys today while I ventured out. He was quite tuckered out by the time I wandered in (no comment A.D. & D.D.).

This morning I was up early with Tiger...who apparently LOVES to rise WITH the sun. I had to get a move on as I volunteered at Nishad's school for the 'public' open house that they had today. I came armed with green tea and munchies. When you find something you feel passionate about, and you love it...you're happy to volunteer. I was able to chat and laugh with the staff ~ such a group of kind hearted women that have quite a sense of humor.

After I headed to the D's for C's confirmation open house! One thing I love about visiting the D's is that when you walk in, you are always greeted with a smile and a warm hug. I thank God that Nishad and E were born on the same day, at the same hospital. It's because of this connection that they came into our lives. Little did I know that I would become so fond of them. I think God knew though. :) I only wished we lived closer, and had a little more time to spare these uber busy times. The D's were all dressed in black and white and looked so stylish. Both the girls have grown so much since the last time I saw them. There was a picture of the girls in the hallway that was so precious...I remember thinking at that time how little all the kids were. It seemed like things were a bit stressful...and that they wouldn't grow up quick enough. Funny how I find myself now wisheing time could slow down a bit...and Nishad is only 3 1/2 years old. I guess it's good I learnt that lesson early. Cherish the time, even in the height of feeling stressed at times as it does go by quick.

Tiger will be 18 mos. in a few days. Amazing. I'm still having abdominal pains under my belly button. I'm still very tender there. It's been like that since Tiger was born. It comes and goes. Yesterday I was holding a plate in my hand and had such a sharp pain in my left side, I almost dropped the plate. I've also gained weight. This winter was long. I actually struggled with a bit of seasonal depression this winter. Argh...Minnesota. We're decided to lay off traveling in the summer to focus on longer 'escapes' in the winter. A little vitamin D does the body good! I'm glad that summer is here so I can be a bit more diligent and focus on the healthy Mom I desire to be and need to be. I haven't made my yearly doctor appointment yet. I was always very good about that...until this year.

This will also be my last summer with both boys not in school!! Nishad has two more years after this year at LFM (pre-school and K). However, Tiger will be attending at the same time Nishad is in the toddler classroom (across from his big brother!). This is a great opportunity for all of us. We also feel like it makes up for so much of the things that Tiger has already missed out on that Nishad did when he was a baby/toddler. The boys will both go to school with their Daddy and I will pick them up at 11:30a.m. each day. Exciting times.

Picnic Time!

After pick-up today, we joined forces with the three J's and headed to Mission Hills Park in Plymouth. It's literally a hop, skip and a jump from school. The boys all had a blast playing together at the park, spotting the turtles, ducks, dragging huge tree limbs (dead branches in the brush) around...I think they were so excited, that they forgot to eat very much! By the time we arrived home, the boys were ready for a nice siesta!

Now if the wind would only calm down, it would be a beautiful night.

Open House

Tonight was Nishad's Open House at his school. It was a chance for him to show us his classroom and school through his eyes. We just love Nishad's school and can't say enough about it. Everyone should be so inspired early on in life...and blessed with such amazing educators.

The first thing that he gravitated toward was the sewing. He recalled how Auntie Kelly and he made a puppy-dog. We meandered through the classroom and worked a bit with the sand paper letters, and toured the geography section. All the while, Tiger and Ashish played in the award winning outside environment.

After, we treated Nishad with dinner out. I also receive such compliments on the boys about how well-behaved they are when we are out. I took them to lunch at Panara Bread last week, and an elderly lady in her 70's came up to me and said that she couldn't help but notice how well-behaved the boys are, "How did you do that?" ...I am super-Mommy! ;) In reality though, I've been blessed with the most amazing kids from day 1. God must have known I was a newbie, so he had to send such blessings to teach me a lesson or two. :)

Mr. Clean

Eggstra Special

This was my first event as the Chair for park and rec. I have to say, I felt very good about how things went! I'm lucky to work with such a good group of people. Each of them bring something different to the table. Combined...what rock-stars! I gave everyone a 'gag' gift to get us started. We changed things up this year a bit. We actually had the Easter Bunny outside. What a hit with guests! I don't think the bunny was ever so popular! By being outside, it naturally encouraged children to gravitate towards the Bunny in a non-threatening environment. Parents also commented about how they liked the natural setting. Some kids simply waited in line to say, "Hello" to the Bunny, while others posed for a picture. I think it meant a lot to parents that they didn't feel obligated to purchase a picture as well. They could simply take their own. Coborn's Delivers certainly delivered!! They donated 500 water bottles for the event! Target donated 2 of the 4 bikes we gave away. Denny's donated three $10 gift certificates and 29 buy on get one free cards. We had some great volunteers as well. Plus!! As an extra bonus, there was no snow on the ground this year! Now that's something to be HOPPY about! My camera battery died half way through the event, so I didn't get many pictures. However, I was too busy being the body guard for the Bunny to shoot. ha,ha. I felt like I worked for Disney, "Please form a line and the Bunny will be happy to meet you! He's been busy laying all of these eggs for you to find!" All in all, there were about 1500 people in attendance this year. Pretty cool!

Ashish and the boys couldn't attend this year. Nishad had J's 4th birthday party to attend to from 10a.m. to 1p.m. in Plymouth. Ashish dropped him off and he and Tiger spent the day together. He took Tiger to a park in Plymouth and out to lunch. Tiger soaked up all the attention from Daddy. It's the first time the two of them had been out by themselves. This was the first time we've ever trusted anyone with Nishad without us. J's Mom said things went well- they all had a lot of fun! They are a wonderful family and I feel blessed that the path we took in life has enabled us to meet and connect. Tiger and Ashish made it back in time for the Pinata. Tiger even took a few swings at it. ha,ha! :)

Back to school next week for Nishad! What an amazing break- despite the snow. At least it melts within hours now and doesn't linger around. We have another busy week next week. I have two photo shoots scheduled in the evenings and a park and rec meeting. Have a great week!

Fairwell, Auntie K!

Auntie K headed back to Chicagoland today. Nishad asked why she went back to Chicago. I explained that her mommy missed her. He said, "That's okay, we can pick her up tomorrow then." We had a great time with Auntie K. We're so blessed to have such a loving, caring, active and amazing person in our life. We love you, Auntie K!

Nishad did some sewing activities with Auntie K. There was a puppy that he sewed. Auntie K was quick to point out that it was an activity for 5 to 6 year olds. Nishad has excellent fine motor skills - especially only for a 3 1/2 year old!

Speaking of which, Nishad will be fulfilling the 3-year cycle, with his last year being Kindergarten at his Montessori School. His Kindergarten year will be Tiger's first year of pre-school. Most of the kids in our actual neighborhood that we know of are older than him, so they will all be attending a year ahead as the Minnesota cut-off date is September 1st. We've also decided that we will open enroll him as we prefer to send him to a district closer to Ashish's work. He'll be entering 1st grade in the school year 2011/2012. That's not too far off! Amazing how time flies!

We were invited over to a friend's house in the afternoon for a lunch/play date- for all involved. Nishad was a little confused as her son's name is the same as a boy in his class (I didn't realize that until he filled me in on his thoughts in the car). I sure feel blessed with getting to know so many wonderful people lately. The boys played and I got to catch-up with a pal. She's originally from Michigan, so we relate on a lot of topics. Very neat.

After I head to swing by City Hall to set-up for our Egg Hunt!

Circus

Join the Circus like you wanted to when you were a kid! Off we went to the Shrine Circus on the ground of the State Fair. Who knew the Circus would last so long? It started at 10:30a.m. and we finally walked out at 1p.m.! We had perfect seats and the boys, Kelly and I enjoyed it.

MOA with a twist of Guthrie

Nishad's best friend's Mom works at MOA. Since J's birthday is actually on April 1st (no joke!) J's Mom invited us to spend J's special day with him at the park at MOA. The night before, we thought it would be fun to go and pick out some balloons to give to J in celebration of his 4th birthday! The next day, we were rushing out the door and we forgot the balloons! This, after listening to the lady in the balloon shop go on and on about Nishad's eye (yes, he has another bump that we are treating- poor guy). I finally had to tell her to stop as he already feels self-conscious enough, please don't draw additional attention to it and make him feel worse. I called J's Mom and said we may be running late as we were going back for the 'surprise' for J!

We finally reached MOA when I opened the back door to get the stroller out- and you can just guess what happened! We had our own little celebration for J right there in the parking lot as we watched the balloons float away up, up and away...until they were no longer visible. Nishad looked at Kelly and I with such disappointment. We stopped off and picked J up two birthday suckers on the way to meet him. All was well again.

Nishad and J had so much fun riding all the rides together. They are so cute together! Watching them gave me a case of the smiles and giggles! It meant so much that J wanted to spend his actual birthday with us! This was the second time that in a week that we were able to hang out with them. J's mom had everything set so that the boys could ride everything for free- a perk for working at MOA, I'd say! It was time to say goodbye and hello to lunch and then nap times. We had a great time though!

Kelly and I had to rest up as we had tickets to see "By the Bog of Cats" at the Guthrie in the evening. It was great to get out like old times and really tear into a play. The best part was analyzing it with her. It really made me feel like I wanted to get my hands dirty and direct it! Overall, it was a good play. However, for a show that is closing in 4 days, it wasn't as polished as we expected. There was a beautiful view on the 9th floor. We took some neat pictures. We got home really late. I don't think I recall my head hitting the pillow- I just passed out!