Love is in the air...

In continuing my acts of love for the month of February, here are a few acts of kindness I did over the last week. I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures this week though.

I had been wanting to bring treats for the office ladies at school, so when I had extra cupcakes from the ones I made for my class, I took them to school to share with a few of my favorite women.. Even though I really, really wanted to eat them {they were the best cupcakes I had ever made myself}, I was glad to share them with the amazing ladies that pretty much run the school.

For Valentine's Day, Leland brought Valentines to his friends and caregivers at daycare. I wasn't really sure what to do for Bennett, the other baby there. Bennett is three weeks younger than Alden, so obviously, he couldn't really enjoy a hot cocoa treat like the bigger kids. So I ordered a board book from Scholastic with my bonus points {man, I love Scholastic book clubs} and gave that to Bennett. It didn't cost me anything except points.

I also ordered two Valentine books for the daycare. I like to give them books whenever I get a chance, because as a teacher, I always enjoy things like that. It's something small on my end, but the kids can enjoy them for years to come.

In my Scholastic order, I was accidentally given an extra book. I called Scholastic and they said to just keep it. It was a Lego book, which all of the boys in my class would love to read, but it came with a little Lego guy. I considered putting it on my bookshelf, but all I could picture was students arguing about that little Lego man and I didn't want to deal with it. So I decided to give it to a student. I gave it to a boy who doesn't ever order from the book clubs. I wrote a note that said it was from a secret friend and placed it in his cubby. This boy is pretty well-liked by his classmates, but he often has low self-esteem and doesn't believe people like him. When he got it, he asked me who it was from, and I told him I wasn't sure. He was so happy. He held that little Lego man all day {until he lost it towards the end of the day...we found it a couple days later}. I was so glad I could do this small thing to make him smile.

On Friday, I went out to lunch with a few co-workers to celebrate my dear friend Courtney's birthday. I was planning to give the cashier $5 for the next order, but he didn't understand what I was talking about. Apparently, he's out of the loop when it comes to random acts of kindness. So I just paid for Courtney's order {which was the next order behind me}. 

I bought a bag of Hershey's Hugs for my math and reading groups for Valentine's Day. I didn't make them Valentines this year, but they all enjoyed a small treat during class. I had about 10 leftover, so I decided to place them in random staff mailboxes. I mean, who doesn't love a surprise chocolate treat in their mailbox?

More Acts of Love...

Last week, I started my February Acts of Love a little early. I just couldn't wait. Here are a few things I did this week.

1. Leland loves to ride Sandy, the pony at our grocery store.

It only costs a penny, but I know there are times when people forget to bring a penny in. For those times, there is a little container with extra pennies so that kiddos can still get their ride. We have had to use one of those extra pennies once before, and I was glad it was there. So this month, every time we ride Sandy, I'm going to put extra pennies in the container - just whatever I happen to have in my wallet. Sunday was the first day, and I had about 5 pennies in my wallet.

2. I made Dave's lunch for him. This is something I used to do a lot before we had kids. He has the hardest time getting up in the mornings, and I liked to help make his day a little easier by making his lunch. Since we've had kids, I haven't really had time to do this for him in the mornings. But I made it a point to do it once this week. I should do it more often, because Dave really appreciates it.

3. I sent a surprise package to a friend.

She has a little girl, but is expecting a boy this spring, so I wanted to send her a couple of boy outfits and a book, since she isn't having a shower, but will still need boy things.

I also purchased some things for future acts of love, but haven't done them yet.

I just want to note that acts of love don't have to be expensive, or even cost anything. Many of the acts on my list will be cheap or will be purchased with gift cards/store credit that I already have. I don't have a lot of money to spare, especially these days when I'm not getting full paychecks {and I don't have any more days in my sick bank at school, so every absence now costs us money}. It doesn't have to be costly.

Acts of Love...

Last year, I did 26 acts of kindness in memory of the victims of Sandy Hook. It felt so good to do random nice things for other people.

My blog friend, Sarah, did 28 acts of kindness in February - one for each day of the month. She called it 28 Acts of Love. This year, she's doing it again and I've decided to join her. 

I actually started a few days early because I just couldn't wait.

For my first acts of kindness, I wanted to do something nice for two friends that I have known forever who no longer live in Traverse City. 

Kristina is one of my dearest friends. 

She was my biggest helper in setting up/tearing down Leland's first birthday party.

We love when she comes to visit. Leland talks about "Tina" quite often.

We met in 2nd grade at our First Communion, and became friends in 7th grade when we went to the same junior high school. We have been in each other's lives ever since. She was my maid of honor in our wedding and has been there for me through thick and thin. 

Over the past few years, Kristina has lived in a few different states because of her job. She is currently living in West Virginia and I miss her oh so much. She comes home to visit pretty often, but not nearly enough. Kristina spoils my boys and I quite often, and although I'm not in a financial position to spoil her back, I wanted to do something nice for her to let her know we were thinking of her. 

Another friend of mine has been in my life since elementary school. Katie and I met in 1st grade and have remained friends ever since. 

I stole this pic from Katie's facebook page, because I couldn't find the one I have of her holding Alden when she last visited.

She is the funniest person I know. She is also very crafty and has gifted me with samples of her creations, like a hand-stamped necklace with Leland's initial, painted signs, fun prints for my boys' rooms, etc. She is a great friend and I am so lucky to have her in my life. 

Katie moved to Lansing last year, which is about a three hour drive from TC. So I wanted to send her a little something as well. 

Because these two friends no longer live here in the Cherry Capital, I decided to send them some love - TC style. Which meant a visit to Cherry Republic, a local store that sells delicious cherry goodies. 

I sent them each a package of cherry sour candies and chocolate covered cherries - my two favorite treats. 

I also sent Kristina some cherry jam. 

They weren't huge, expensive gifts, but I hope they brought smiles to their faces and gave them a little taste of home.

And now I look forward to working through the rest of my list.