Science Project - Solar System

While I was at a training on Saturday for Royal Family Kids, a friend of mine picked up Little Sis and took her shopping for supplies for her science project. She had to create a solar system model, which was due today.

They used wooden balls, wooden discs, water colors, wood glue, hot glue, and he drilled holes so they could put the dowels in as stands.

While the sizes of the planets are not to scale, they are representative of their relative sizes (for example, Venus and Earth are about the same size, etc). The distance of each planet from the sun, however, are to scale based on their average distance and the size of the board. I eventually met up with them and helped paint a couple of the planets while Little Sis worked on painting the others. It was hard for me to let go and let her do a good portion of it.

I think it turned out great. I dropped it off at school today, and managed to get it into the school office before I knocked Pluto out of orbit. I was able to do a quick re-glue, since it only came out of the base, which was still glued to the board.

Neptune

Uranus

Jupiter (and the alien egg spaceship)

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars (and the asteroid belt)

Saturn

All finished!!!

An Open Letter to my Friends, Family, and Readers

Dear Friends, Family, and Readers:

I am writing today making a special request.

As most of my regular readers know, I volunteer for a wonderful organization called Royal Family Kids. I've been volunteering since 2009, and am scheduled to go again this year in June. Our goal is to create positive memories for children who have been abused and neglected, and are in the foster care system. We strive to give them the "best week ever" and allow them to have a "normal" childhood experience they may not otherwise have had.

We've had several fundraisers already: the dinner auction in March, the car show in April, and Change to Change lives, where we collected loose change to fill a bucket. We have two fundraisers left, and our biggest one is coming up in less than two weeks.

I'm issuing a challenge today to you all. If everyone who reads this (including all 399 friends on Facebook) and donates just $5, I will reach my goal of $600, which is the cost of one child to attend camp for a week. Everything is provided for them: 5 days/4 nights at camp; every meal and one snack each day they are there; a HUGE birthday party for everyone (because some children have never had a birthday party before, and some don't even know WHEN their birthday is!) including ice cream, cake and presents; and anything else they may need for the week: shoes, a bathing suit, towel, bedding, hair brush, tooth brush, etc. because some children come with almost nothing but the clothes they're wearing and two-sizes-too-small shoes. We put on a drama for them, they get a duffle bag full of goodies (including a brand new Bible), give them tons of activities to do each day (girls get a Beauty Shop, boys get Marshmallow Guns. Plus bug boxes, fuse beads, painting, archery, sports). It's not cheap to run our camp, and the camp site is so wonderful. They're actually updating and refurbishing a lot of the camp area, including paving walkways to the cabins, which makes the camp more easily accessible to those who may be in a wheelchair or have other disabilities.

If you've read this far, I thank you. If you're willing to take the challenge, I've included the link to our church's website where you can make a donation: Crossroads Church, Home of Royal Family Kids Temecula. Please enter your donation in the "RFK Offering/Donation" section. There is no fee to make the donation, and it's completely safe. Every donation is tax deductible (you will receive a giving statement at the end of the year from Crossroads Church if you supply your address on the site). In years past I've made this a contest to win a gift card, but I'm not going to do that this year. I want my readers to donate because they've been touched by the stories I've posted here on my blog. If you want to read more, click the Royal Family graphic on the right side, and it'll link to all my posts with the RFKC label.

If you cannot donate, I completely understand. As a single mom working part time, I get it. However, I do ask that you pray for our camp, for our campers, and for our volunteers. Every year we have something "go wrong" but God always pulls us through.

Thank you so much. Please comment to let me know you're praying for us.

99 Things to do this Summer

Also known as "Summer 2013 Bucket List." I'll be blogging over the summer the activities we do, and will post the links in the list. 

We have 72 days of summer vacation (Phineas and Ferb live the good life), and the girls will be gone for a couple weeks with their dad, and almost a week each for summer camp. Big Sis is also going to be gone for a week for her mission trip to Bishop, California. They're putting on VBS for the kids in the community.

You can view the inspiration for my list on my Pinterest Board: Getting Ready for Summer!

Have you started a summer bucket list? Feel free to borrow some ideas for your own!

Vegetarian Chili for the Chili Cook-off!

Well, the chili is in the crock pot for tomorrow's Royal Family Kids Temecula Car Show and Chili Cook Off! I bought the ingredients last week when Von's had a great deal on canned beans and tomatoes.

My recipe (which isn't really a recipe, but more of "hey, that sounds good in chili"):

1 can of Chili Beans

2 cans of Kidney Beans 

1 can of Black Beans (not shown because I threw the can away before I took pics. I really need to get back in the habit of picture taking for blogging purposes!)

2 cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes 

1 can of tomato sauce

4 jalapenos (I only put the seeds of one pepper, but if you like yours spicy, by all means, add more!)

4 sweet mini peppers (I had a mixed bag, so I put in two yellow and two red)

1 medium white onion

Sea Salt 

Pepper

Chili Powder

I started by draining the beans. I wasn't sure how wet the tomatoes and sauce was going to make the chili. I like mine on the thicker side, so I just poured the liquid in a bowl (I ended up using it anyway). I added the beans, the tomatoes, and the tomato sauce in the crock pot. I then diced the onions and chopped the peppers. I added everything, and saw that it was going to be too thick, so I added the "bean juice." I have to be able to put out 150-200 samples from this batch. (I am tempted to throw in another couple cans of beans and tomatoes and in the morning, put some in a storage container so it's not so full upon transport. I will then add it back to the crock pot when I get to the show. I will have electricity to keep the chili hot.)

Since this is just a concoction I threw together, you are more than welcome to add or change things. I won't be able to taste it until tomorrow, and I'll add more seasoning if I think it needs it. it looks good, and the pop of color from the peppers is pretty.

I will let you all know tomorrow how the judging goes. It's a "People's Choice" judging, so if you're near Temecula, California, come on by. The show is from 9am-1pm and is at 26090 Ynez Road, Temecula, California, right off the 15 Freeway (so if you're in Vegas or San Diego, come on by!)

Edited to Add: I did add the extra cans of beans (chili and kidney). It filled up the crock pot, so I have a container ready for tomorrow morning to dish out some so it doesn't spill. I also have the iced tea brewing at double strength to get me through the day, too!!

I'm so excited!

Don't Forget - This weekend in Temecula, CA!

This Saturday is Royal Family Kids Inaugural Car and Motorcycle Show. We're also having a Chili Cook-off! If you're in Southern California and have the "BOMB" chili recipe, you are welcome to join in the fun! Whether it's a family recipe, something you found on Pinterest, vegetarian or meaty, spicy or mild, white or traditional, we want it!

Here's how it works:

You make a large amount of chili. I will personally make mine in a large crock pot. You'll only have to fill a small 2-ish ounce cup (think salsa from a take-out restaurant) about half way (we're only giving a taste), and we're making 150 ballots.

Our guests will buy a Judging bag (paper bag with a spoon, a ballot, and a pencil) for $3. This is one way we're raising money for our event. The judges will then check off the number of their favorite chili and turn it in so they can be counted. There will be an award, and you'll have full bragging rights. If any of my readers enter and win, you'll get a congratulatory post right here, too!!

We're also selling 50/50 tickets (we get 50% of the funds raised, and a winner will get 50%), as well as raffle tickets for goodies.

For kids, we'll be having a bounce house, too!

There will be food available to purchase, as well: donuts and coffee in the AM, hot dogs and burgers (with chips and a drink) in the PM. Also, Kona Ice will be there from 11am to 1pm with their shaved ice truck! We'll get part of their proceeds, too. And KSDW (88.9 in San Diego) morning show host, Jerry Langford will also be there to MC our event. He'll give away t-shirts to the first 20 people who visit his booth on Saturday morning!

This is a way for us to raise money towards our goal of $50,000 for this year. Royal Family Kids is a non-profit organization that give abused and neglected foster kids positive memories through summer camp. We're also launching our Mentor Program this year, as well. After camp is over, our volunteers will partner with a child and spend time with them throughout the year. Our heart's desire is to show these wonderful children that (1) adults can be trusted and (2) they are loved, no matter what.

Also, all around the country is a movie called "CAMP" playing in select theaters. If you happen to have it near you, I recommend seeing it, since ticket sales help fund a local camp. If you have a camp near you, and you have a heart for children, volunteering is something you can do, too. If you would like to make a contribution to our camp, you can click on the "DONATE" button on the sidebar. Just mention it's for Royal Family Kids and leave your address. You'll get a receipt for your donation at the end of the year from the organization.

My Baby's Not a Baby Anymore!

So you really want to know why I've been driven crazy? I'll show you.

My dear readers, this is Little Sis. My EIGHT-YEAR-OLD. Last night, she spent the night at grandma's and put her hair in curlers. All by herself. Usually, her hair won't hold curls, but when I saw her this afternoon, it looked like this.

She is growing up way too fast for me. She's my baby! Wasn't it just yesterday that she was three and just starting preschool? (In this picture, her sister was 6 and starting 2nd grade.)

Little Sis at 2 1/2

Nobody warned me about this!!

Spring Break is Coming to a Close

All this week, the girls and I have been on Spring Break. It's been nice not having to go anywhere, be anywhere at a certain time, or drive around like a taxi driver wasting gas.

I had originally planned for us to go to the San Diego Zoo this week. But the thought of getting up early and driving two hours to deal with the crowd and heat made me want to curl up under my brand new, hot pink sheets and hide. The girls didn't seem to mind not going anywhere. I think they enjoyed sleeping in, as well.

The only thing we've done this week that was planned was the Lake Elsinore Storm Fan Fest. Baseball season is among us again! I participated in a scavenger hunt, the girls played in the free kids zone (usually $4 a child to jump in the bounce houses and play the games), and we met the players and got their autographs. I didn't win the scavenger hunt (which was done on Twitter), but because I participated  I got a voucher for two opening night tickets, which is next Thursday.

Even though the team is an affiliate of the San Diego Padres and I'm a San Francisco Giants fan, I really enjoy going to the Diamond and watching the games. It's a short 17 miles to the stadium and their promotions are pretty great (free hot dogs on Wednesdays, for instance).

Tomorrow's our last day of vacation (I'm not counting the weekend, since we have those off anyway). Not much planned, except laundry (have to take it somewhere, since someone vandalized our laundry room and broke one of the fire sprinklers) and Bible Study. We're reading "Sticky Faith" by Kara E. Powell and Chap Clark.

Homemade Coffee Creamer

I've been on a label-reading kick lately. I've been trying to cut down significantly on the amount of artifical sugars and high fructose corn syrup the girls and I consume.

I made the "mistake" of looking at the label of the one thing I have to have in the house - my coffee creamer. I love my coffee, and while I can drink it with plain half and half, I much prefer a flavored coffee. Even at Starbucks, I get cinnamon dolce in my iced coffee (cheaper than an iced latte and I get free refills).

I was browsing Pinterest today (like I do every day), and saw a pin about homemade coffee creamer. The pin lead to Mrs. Happy Homemaker's post on Homemade Coffee Creamer. It seemed easy enough, and she has recipes on how to make different flavors (because while I like Vanilla, I like variety).

Tonight, I made the vanilla flavor. I mixed the 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk and 1 3/4 cup half-and-half. I then used a little over 1 tablespoon of vanilla (I like strong flavors). I started to put everything in a mason jar, but my jar was going to be too small. I had finished the last of the creamer I had (CoffeeMate Peppermint Mocha found at Grocery Outlet) this morning and washed out the container, so I put everthing into that and shook it like a Polaroid picture (not really, but I sang that song and Little Sis got a kick out of that).

Of course, after making the creamer I had to test it. So I made a cup of Starbucks Veranda Blend in my Keurig. The creamer smelled good (I could smell the sweetened condensed milk, though), and it actually tastes pretty good! I can't wait to try some other flavors.

I need to get into the habit of taking more pictures when I do my Pinterest finds. The only picture I have is the one of my coffee in my hand-painted mug.

Royal Family Kids 2013

THE STARFISH STORY

While walking on the beach one day,
I saw Starfish by the score.
And everywhere I looked it seemed,
I saw a thousand more.
Then what to my surprise appeared?
A boy of nine or ten;
and as the Starfish washed ashore,
he threw them back again.

I smiled at such a futile task to save this population.

“One fish won’t make a difference son. You can’t change this situation.”

He stooped and picked up one more fish, then looking right at me ,

“I can make a difference for this one, sir,” and returned it to the sea.

So I went and gathered all my friends, my brothers and my cousins.

We joined in with that little boy and saved Starfish by the dozens.

There are still many to be rescued-many “Starfish” on life’s shore.

Let’s make a difference like that lad-by saving one more.

It's that time of year again! Time to pull out the sleeping bag and hiking boots! Time to start prepping the scrapbook supplies for the memory books! Time to start thinking about a flag for the cabin!

YES! It's time for ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP!

RFK is a camp to create memories for abused and neglected foster kids. A lot of children in "the system" are passed from home to home, some never getting to experience a "normal" childhood. RFK is designed to give these children, whom God loves so much, a chance to experience what they may otherwise miss coming from broken homes. It's a safe place for them to just be kids. 

This year, we have several fundraisers to help us raise $50,000. We need that much not only for our week-long camp in June, but also for the Mentor Program we are starting in September. 

• This Saturday, March 2, 2013 is our Hukilau Dinner and Auction Fundraiser. Tickets are $25 and include dinner and admission to the silent auction. This event is at the Mary Philips Senior Center in Old Town Temecula.

• Our FIRST ANNUAL Royal Family Kids Car and Motorcycle Show and Chili Cook-off is April 13, 2013. Admission is free to the event, but if you have a car or motorcycle you want to have featured in our event, the entry fee is $10 per vehicle. We will be selling raffle tickets, as well as 50/50 raffle tickets (Winner gets 50% of the money, RFK gets 50%), and KONA ICE of Temecula will be there as well from 11am-1pm! This event will be at Crossroads Church in Temecula.
  
• Change to Change Lives is  an ongoing fundraiser between now and April 13. Save your pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters and bring them to the Car Show!
  
• The 8th annual Walk-A-Thon will be held on May 11, 2013. This is a fun event where the volunteers gather pledges to raise money. The walk-a-thon will be held at Crossroads Church in Temecula.

We need your help! Please, prayerfully consider sponsoring my visit to camp. All monies go toward the camp and campers. My time is 100% on a volunteer basis. And all donations are tax deductible. If you would like to sponsor me, please visit Crossroads Church's Giving Page.

We may have more fundraisers between now and June, so be sure to stay tuned! 

So what is a week at camp like? Here's a brief (I hope) rundown:

Sunday:

After our commissioning at both church services, we head up to camp. We unload our cars and start unpacking until it's time to meet with the director. During the meeting, we get our schedule for the week, with specific times for meals and activities, including the nightly drama and Bible lessons. We then break up into groups and cover the camp in prayer. We pray over EVERYTHING. We don't want the devil messing things up. And trust me, he's tried during the last 4 years I've been there. (Prayer is something everyone can do for the camp, even if you can't financially donate!!!) After prayer, we start decorating the camp. We decorate the cabins to the 9s, and anyplace the campers spend time is decorated, including the bathrooms! (This year's theme is Construction, based on Ephesians 4:29.) We then eat an outdoor BBQ picnic dinner, then finish decorating. Lights out is early because the week has only begun!

Monday:

We're up early for breakfast. A lot of us get up early and spend some time with God outside. Nothing like a late spring morning in the great outdoors to feel close to the Creator of everything. We then have another meeting, then work on blowing up balloons and decorating name signs for our campers. This is one way our campers feel welcome as well as it makes it easy for them to find us when they get off the bus.

After the campers arrive, it's unpacking, camp tours, and lunch. Then it's non-stop, go-go-go-go, for the next three days -- with swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, singing, dancing, worshiping and eating. There is SO MUCH FOOD!

On Thursday, after lunch, we throw the BIGGEST "Everybody's Birthday Party." Some foster children don't ever get to celebrate their birthday. Sadly, some don't even know when their birthday is! So we throw a HUGE party with bouncy houses, water balloon fights, games (usually with the counselors getting wet or covered in shaving cream), music and just a whole bunch of FUN. Then, after dinner, we have -- CAKE! (Of course, right? What birthday is complete without cake?) That night is the talent show, and then every child gets showered with birthday presents.

Friday is the saddest day, but it starts like any other day. We wrap up the drama and Bible story (which has continued each night) and have an awards ceremony for the "graduating" 11-year-olds (camp is only for kids ages 7-11). 

Honestly, it's exhausting, but I wouldn't trade this week for anything. I would choose it over a week at Walt Disney World if I had to make the choice. 

I hope you've read this entire post. I had a lot of fun writing it -- looking back on previous years and looking forward to this year. This camp can't survive without it's volunteers -- whether it's the volunteers spending the whole week at camp, or volunteers selflessly donating their money to help us run it. If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or attending an event, please email us at RFKTemecula@gmail.com.

Again, please consider donating. Any little bit helps. The more money we raise, the more we supplies we can get to make the camp more fun and exciting for the children.

Thank you

Good-bye 2012!

In January, I posted my bucket list. It is a list of 60 things (so far) that I want to do before I die. Unfortunately, I didn't accomplish one of them in 2012.

However, there are a few things I can complete in 2013!

1. Complete a 365 Photo Project (I'm considering doing this on my blog or on Facebook, but at the end of the year, I would love to put them all into a photo book).
2. Read 100 books in a year (I generally keep track of these on my Goodreads account).
3. Graduate college with my Bachelor's Degree (I have only a few more classes to go, just need to stay focused).

In general, though, 2012 was a good year. I managed to find a full-time job and get my own apartment (I'd been living with grandparents since November 2011). The girls and I celebrated Christmas in our own home.  The girls and I also had some fun trips to northern California, as well as utilized our Disneyland Annual passes as much as we could, especially for big events such as the opening of Carsland in June (we were a couple weeks past the grand opening) and Disneyland's Birthday celebration in July. Overall, it was a quiet year, but the girls and I had a lot of fun.

So, what did you complete in 2012? What do you want to complete in 2013?

Also, I just found out that "Bucket List" is one of the words to be banned by the Queen for Misuse. There is your tidbit of news to end your year.

Customized Starbucks Cup -- Glitterfied!

This is a "I saw it on Pinterest" DIY project! The original tutorial I followed can be found here.

I have a Venti Customizable Starbucks cup. I had already customized it a little, with Sharpies, my special drink (on a Post-It folded in half, taped to the inside), and even a piece of a disposable Starbucks cup from Disneyland.

When I saw the glitterfied Starbucks cup on Pinterest, I knew I needed to do it. I had spray glue already from making my flag for Royal Family Kids Camp, and I knew I would be able to keep my Disney Parks piece as well.

First, I glued in the Disney Parks piece. Before this, it had only been taped in. I get so many compliments on it, and Starbucks and Disney would probably make a fortune if they collaborated and sold them like this at California Adventure.

I followed the tutorial and ended up with my pink, glittery, cup. The hardest part was waiting for the glue and glitter to set so I could put it back together. One thing I would do, though, is use painters tape to tape the threads. I fear that I've lost the insulated seal because there is glitter in the threads.

I have gotten so many compliments on my cup. I even had to wait a little longer for my iced coffee the other day because the lady baristas were ooh'ing and ahh'ing over it. The guy barista thought it was hilarious.

I bet you're waiting to see the finished product, aren't you?

If you decide to give this a try, please comment here as well as at the original blog post linked above. Feel free to pin and share!

DIY Duck Tape Book Cover!

So I have a great planner from Day-Timer. It's the "Family Plus" model, where it has columns for my activities as well as extra columns for my kids. I love it. It fits perfectly into my purse, but man, was it boring. It also didn't have a pocket or anyplace to put a pen (where it wouldn't fall out) and the stickers I use to color code activities.

So I went on a Google Search. I found a WikiHow on How to Make a Duct Tape Book Cover. I figured it wouldn't be too hard. I went with the option to use a paper bag first then to cover it with the Duck Tape (yes, I'm saying that right. I used the Duck Tape brand). I bought two sheets of the pink zebra print and a roll of the white zebra print (shown). I also used a Starbucks paper bag, since it was closer to the size of my planner, and it was already getting beat up from being used so much.

First, I opened up the bag and cut off the handles. I traced my planner onto the bag, adding about an eighth of an inch on top and bottom. Then I placed the pink zebra print sheets (these are awesome -- no more making duct tape "cloth" to start a project!) to cover what would be the front and back covers. Then I added the white zebra print around the edges. I pretty much followed the WikiHow, except I used a bigger piece to make the pocket flap (step 6). Make sure you do this, though, otherwise, when you close that flap, you'll have exposed tape against your book.

This was fun. I should have used more space, like a table, instead of a clipboard on my bed. I would like to have the girls make a couple of covers for their Bibles, although Big Sis' Bible has a magnetic closure, so we would have to figure out how to make that work (I already have an idea in my head and it includes my X-Acto knife).

Hmm...I wonder if the Duck Tape sheets would work in a Cricut? I could customize the front even more!

Contest -- Donate to RFK and win $20 Amazon.com gift card!

It's EASY to enter. Contest ends May 5, 2012. Winner will be drawn on May 7, 2012.

How to enter:

DONATE at least $10 to Royal Family Kids. For each $10 you donate, you get 1 entry. To donate, click on the "DONATE" button on the left side of the page. This will take you to my RFK Paypal donation page. If you would like a tax-deduction receipt at the end of the year, please enter your address in the notes. You MUST use this link to donate because the "official" RFK donation page doesn't send me an email that you entered.

LEAVE A COMMENT for an additional entry. You can enter anything in the comment -- a prayer need, encouragement for the RFK team for this year, or your own experiences at summer camp.

TWEET this contest. Leave a comment with the link to your tweet. Tweet

FOLLOW me on Twitter. Leave a comment with your Twitter name. Follow @JustAddLaughter

It's really simple. You're helping kids, plus you'll be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

To read more about Royal Family Kids, read my post here.

Royal Family Kids!!!!

THE STARFISH STORY

While walking on the beach one day,

I saw Starfish by the score.

And everywhere i looked it seemed,

I saw a thousand more.

Then what to my surprise appeared?

A boy of nine or ten;

and as the Starfish washed ashore,

he threw them back again.

I smiled at such a futile task to save this population.

“One fish won’t make a difference son. You can’t change this situation.”

He stooped and picked up one more fish, then looking right at me ,

“I can make a difference for this one, sir,” and returned it to the sea.

So I went and gathered all my friends, my brothers and my cousins.

We joined in with that little boy and saved Starfish by the dozens.

There are still many to be rescued-many “Starfish” on life’s shore.

Let’s make a difference like that lad-by saving one more.

It's that time of year again! Time to pull out the sleeping bag and hiking boots! Time to start prepping the scrapbook supplies for the memory books! Time to start thinking about a flag for the cabin!

YES! It's time for ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP!

RFK is a camp to create memories for abused and neglected foster kids. A lot of children in "the system" are passed from home to home, some never getting to experience a "normal" childhood. RFK is designed to give these children, whom God loves so much, a chance to experience what they may otherwise miss coming from broken homes. It's a safe place for them to just be kids. 

The 7th annual Walk-A-Thon will be held on May 5, 2012. We are looking to raise a total of $40,000 for this year's camp, and we're only 50% of the way there! We need your help! Please, prayerfully consider sponsoring my visit to camp. All monies go toward the camp and campers. My time is 100% on a volunteer basis. And all donations are tax deductible. If you would like to sponsor me, please click the Royal Family Kids link to be taken to our official donation page.

The Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball team has also introduced community fundraising nights! We will be part of the kick-off event on May 18. Game time is 7:05pm and tickets are $10. All proceeds go to RFK Temecula (our camp). If you would like to contribute in this way, we would love to see you at the game. Tickets are for box seats right behind home plate. And what is a Friday night baseball game without FIREWORKS??? If you would like to buy tickets, please Email Me or click on the Paypal Donate button (and put "Storm Tickets" in the memo). 

So what is a week at camp like? Here's a brief (I hope) rundown:

Sunday:

After our commissioning at both church services, we head up to camp. We unload our cars and start unpacking until it's time to meet with the director. During the meeting, we get our schedule for the week, with specific times for meals and activities, including the nightly drama and Bible lessons. We then break up into groups and cover the camp in prayer. We pray over EVERYTHING. We don't want the devil messing things up. And trust me, he's tried during the last 3 years. (Prayer is something everyone can do for the camp, even if you can't financially donate!!!) After prayer, we start decorating the camp. We decorate the cabins to the 9s, and anyplace the campers spend time is decorated, including the bathrooms! (This year's theme is The Olympics!) We then eat an outdoor BBQ picnic dinner, then finish decorating. Lights out is early because the week has only begun!

Monday:

We're up early for breakfast. A lot of us get up early and spend some time with God outside. Nothing like a late spring morning in the great outdoors to feel close to the Creator of everything. We then have another meeting, then work on blowing up balloons and decorating name signs for our campers. This is one way our campers feel welcome as well as it makes it easy for them to find us when they get off the bus.

After the campers arrive, it's unpacking, camp tours, and lunch. Then it's non-stop, go-go-go-go, for the next three days -- with swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, singing, dancing, worshiping and eating. There is SO MUCH FOOD!

On Thursday, after lunch, we throw the BIGGEST "Everybody's Birthday Party." Some foster children don't ever get to celebrate their birthday. Sadly, some don't even know when their birthday is! So we throw a HUGE party with bouncy houses, water balloon fights, games (usually with the counselors getting wet or covered in shaving cream), music and just a whole bunch of FUN. Then, after dinner, we have -- CAKE! (Of course, right? What birthday is complete without cake?) That night is the talent show, and then every child gets showered with birthday presents.

Friday is the saddest day, but it starts like any other day. We wrap up the drama and Bible story (which has continued each night) and have an awards ceremony for the "graduating" 11-year-olds (camp is only for kids ages 7-11). 

Honestly, it's exhausting, but I wouldn't trade this week for anything. I would choose it over a week at Walt Disney World if I had to make the choice. 

I hope you've read this entire post. I had a lot of fun writing it -- looking back on previous years and looking forward to this year. This camp can't survive without it's volunteers -- whether it's the volunteers spending the whole week at camp, or volunteers selflessly donating their money to help us run it. 

Again, please consider donating. Any little bit helps. The more money we raise, the more we supplies we can get to make the camp more fun and exciting for the children.

Thank you.

1/28 - Yummy dinner

Spaghetti. Plain and simple. I love when they love my cooking.

1/27 - Guitar lessons

1/25 - All snuggled in...

A little late getting home from church tonight. Normally she can't fall asleep. She's even snoring!

1/25 - she made her own iPad

I took mine back after she spilled water. So she made her own! I love watching her imagination in action!

My Bucket List

Also known as: "What I Want to be Able to Talk to Jesus About When I Finally Meet Him."

My sister posted on Facebook that she's started her own bucket list. I've been watching "Hot in Cleveland" and Melanie had written a book called "Things to Do Before You Die" which is how they ended up in Cleveland in the first place.

So, I'm going to start compiling my list.

Some things to get me started (thanks to Squidoo's 1000 Things To Do Before You Die)

1. Ride a gondola in Venice
2. Tour The Holy Land
3. Learn to Salsa Dance (and not because I have jalepeno in my eye)
4. Complete a 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk
5. See a Stanley Cup Final 
6. Hold the Stanley Cup
7. See the Sharks play in Canada
8. Bowl a 300 (perfect game)
9. Become a black belt in Karate
10. Become fluent in Spanish
11. Learn the Guitar
12. Take a cruise to Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean
13. Ride in a hot air balloon
14. Go skydiving
15. Zip line through the rain forest
16. Travel cross-country on a motorcycle
17. Road trip along Route 66
18. Swim with dolphins
19. Camp on the Grand Canyon Floor
20. Visit Easter Island
21. Camp in all the National Parks
22. Camp in all the California State Parks
23. Visit Niagara Falls
24. See the Pyramids in Egypt
25. Visit Stonehenge
26. See Machu Picchu
27. Visit New York City
28. Climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty
29. Visit Washington, D.C.
30. Visit the Louvre
31. Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower
32. Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
33. See the Arizona Memorial
34. Visit Four Corners
35. Visit all the Disney Parks in one year
36. Celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square
37. Learn to play Chess
38. Learn to knit
39. Successfully scrapbook a whole year of pictures before my kids graduate high school
40. Watch every Best Picture Academy Award winner
41. Graduate from college with my Bachelor's Degree
42. Earn my teaching credential
43. Earn my Masters Degree in Education
44. Be a foster parent and/or adopt a child
45. Go on a year-long mission and teach children about Jesus
46. Build a house for Habitat for Humanity
47. Complete a 365 Photo project
48. Read 100 books in a year
49. Write and publish a book
50. See a Broadway Play
51. See a musical performance at Carnegie Hall
52. See Garth Brooks in concert
53. See the Superbowl live and in person
54. See a NHL All-Star game
55. See a MLB All-Star game
56. See the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live and in person
57. Go on The Amazing Race
58. Learn the Hula in Hawaii
59. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
60. Watch every Disney animated feature, in order, starting with Snow White