Valentine's Party #2!

Our second "Big Hearts, Little Hands" Valentine's Party was in Phoenix for refugee children from Myanmar. They fled the most horrible circumstances and been through things that I never even thought were possible, so we really wanted to give them an extra special, fun, happy day. There were about 200 kids at the party and 15 kid/parent helpers. These kids and their families were so humble and sweet, and I just wanted to take them all home with me, their parents included! I loved them instantly. It was so fun watching them eat cotton candy for the first time and experience a bounce house and let them take as much food and prizes as they wanted. They loved the hot dogs and the popcorn, and they loved making bracelets and playing Bingo. They were so nervous to touch the alligator and so happy to decorate sugar cookies. The best part was letting them go through all of the donations we'd collected. They were so excited to fill their bags with toys and clothes. It made me cry, a couple times. There is just something about happy children that melts your heart like nothing else! I was so proud of all of the little kid helpers who were so sweet and friendly to the other kids, and I was so thankful to their parents for bringing them and helping so much and for everyone who donated TONS of stuff to both parties! I am beyond words grateful to have so many people in my life whose friendships and examples I cherish and whose help and love I rely upon more than they know! The parties were so much fun, and I think they made my family just as happy as the children we were throwing them for!

Valentine's Party #1

Our kid's service club threw two Valentine's parties for homeless/underprivileged/refugee children. The first party was in Mesa, and there were about 50 kids attending the party and about 25 kids and their parents helping with the party. It was such an amazing experience for me to see all of the generosity and love demonstrated by all of the people who donated food, drinks, prizes, used clothes, toys, etc, and I was overwhelmed by all of the moms who brought their kids and volunteered their time! I'm so thankful to know the best people in the world! It makes me so grateful and such a cry baby! When we pulled up to set up, a bunch of kids rushed my van to help carry things and said, "Are you the party people? We've been waiting for you all week." I started to cry, which probably freaked them out, but I was just so excited that they were excited! Thanks to everyone's efforts, the party was wonderful! There were lots of games with prizes, crafts, friendship bracelets, snacks, face painting, balloons, cookie decorating and a clown, which was Grandma Mary this time. I loved watching the kids hand out Valentines to each other and make new friends! The children were so sweet, and so full of thank yous! I heard one girl who was about 10 say that she was so happy because she got to try barbeque chips for the first time, and she's always wanted to try them her whole life. I wish we could throw them a party every week because they were such great kids! I just loved them!

Petting Penguins and So Much Fun!

Winston learned how to balance a spoon on his nose. We were so proud, and now I'm officially the only one in our family who can't do it.

Stanton had a couple of his buddies over for a Nerf gun fight. They were running around the house like crazy. It was fun to watch!

Meanwhile, Noelle and her friend were having a fancy tea party. They even invited Winston, who turned out to be a very proper guest.

After the boys friendly fire was over, they got into the girl's dress up box, put on wigs and crashed the tea party.

Winston ditched the tea party and joined the boy's team, dressed as a girl, of course. After a few "ruined tea party" tears, the girls started to laugh and they all danced around the table to "Party Rock" and "Gangham Style."

Then we did our long awaited Mentos and Diet Coke experiment. The kids were all p retty impressed with the fizzy explosion! Afterwards they hiked up the mountain in the backyard. They were pretty proud of themselves to be on their own little adventure and find "treasure."

A few days later, Stanton had some more boys over to play, and they had belly races down the stairs. They entertained themselves like this for the longest time. I thought it was so cute!

We also got to go to The Wildlife Zoo. Daddy loves the alligator, which he's met in real life when it was a baby on his morning show. I'm pretty sure it recognized him.

Thanks to Daddy we also got to pet the penguins! They were grumpy little birds though. I thought we would be able to cuddle and rock them, but instead Winston and I both got bit. It didn't hurt at all, and they were still so cute!

They thought we had food so they kept walking right up to us. It was such a cool experience!

A few days later Stanton said he had the best idea in the world...a picnic. He was right, it totally turned out to be the best idea! the weather was perfect, and we had the park all to ourselves! The kids were so happy and it was a lot of fun!

Now that Winston's in a big boy bed, he's been waking up every once in a while and making mischief. Sometimes, I wake up to him in the middle of the night shoving graham crackers in my mouth, saying "Me share wis you. Eat it mommy." And sometimes I wake up to him laying in bed next to me, sticking his finger in my mouth. This particular time, I woke up to him wearing a top hat and asking me for a "tisyoo" a "dink" and "me-mees," which is what he calls money. I told him to get back in bed, and on his way, he stepped on Stanton, who was sleeping on the floor in my room cause he didn't feel well. Stanton woke up and screamed (which woke Noelle up) because he saw the top hat and thought it was a robber. Winston's shinanigans are making for some eventful midnights around here!

And Stanton lost his 5th tooth! this one was wiggly, and he pulled it out himself. I was grossed out and impressed all at the same time! He's growing up to be such a big, brave boy! I can't get enough of these three little babies of mine! Gosh, I just love them!