The Season of Giving.. 365 days a year!

After reading my friend Krys's blog today Musings From Mom School, it got me to thinking about ways to teach my kids about giving to others in need; especially around the holidays. Although I would like to make it a life-long lesson..not just a holiday one.

There are a lot of Spend/Save/Give banks on the market for kids. It's a great teaching and learning tool to get them to understand that whole concept.

After they have accumulated money it's time to figure out who to give it to.

Here are some great charities that you might consider.

Operation Smile:

http://www.operationsmile.org/

It gives to children in developing countries with cleft lips.

$240 funds one surgery

First Book:

http://www.firstbook.org/

Gives age appropriate books to preschools in low income neighborhoods

$2 buys one book

Give Kids the World:

Provides terminally ill kids with and families a cost-free week long vacation.

$25 provides a welcome package

There are many many others out there..all you have to do is look!

Healthy Family Updates

My Operation De clutter is officially over. It has been over for quite some time actually. Uh, well I never claimed to have the domestic gene in this body now did I?? I kind of wish I did. Most of my close friends are overly neurotic about keeping a clean house where I am just the opposite. I wish my house had less clutter, less dog hair, less cat hair, less junk and dirty dishes. I figure I can just wait until the kids are old enough and then they can take care of it. Maybe we will start over again. New Year's resolution? Or maybe I should just wish a little harder and hope the Dust Fairy shows up.