Super Saturday: Stop, Go and S-E-R-E-N-D-I-P-I-T-Y!

I say that... "Super Saturday,"... because today we have lots of ground to cover. Usually I try to keep Saturday's low key, because I know most of our readers are out and about with family and friends. But today there is lots to share.

"Stop" and take a second to read this segment. This short little story is a good reminder to me, and maybe to you, of why it is so important to work toward being present and in the moment.

Yesterday, Matthew was home with me all day. If I had to rank the convenience of his getting sick on a scale of 1 -10, I would have to place it at a 1.5. Later this morning I leave for Austin for a week and I had 101 things I needed to wrap up before leaving. At some point during the morning Matthew got nostalgic about a stop sign he made while attending Prospect Preschool, in Kentucky. It was card stock on a Popsicle stick, but for whatever reason he was suddenly attached to the memory of it. He asked if we could make another one. I replied with what unfortunately is all to often my instinctive response... "Not right now. Maybe later." Ten minutes later he asked again. Again I replied, "Maybe later. I'm really busy right now." (and I was!). Practicing real restraint, another ten minutes passed before Matthew called out from his play room.. again asking if we could make a stop sign. I decided at that moment I needed to say, "yes." Maybe it was the realization that if I didn't he would keep on asking or maybe my conscience got the best of me and I realized that it wouldn't be long before my helping him make a stop sign would no longer be a thrill. Whatever the reason, I'm so glad I did.

Seventeen minutes. That's what it took. From the time I scrounged up the materials to the time I cut out letters, glued them on, attached a handle, and was outside snapping a picture... 17 minutes. Thats it. We even stopped along the way to have him write each letter of the words, "stop" and "go" before cutting them out and glueing them to foam.

The point... these requests from our kids that can ometimes feel like an interruption or distraction from what we "really" need to be doing... they're small. Rarely will they take more than 20-30 minutes. After all, their attention spans aren't much longer than that. Matthew played the rest of the day with his stop sign and today the time spent working together on the project seems priceless.

So "Go." Today if a child makes a request of you, "go" for it. "Stop" looking for the reason you can't. You'll feel proud of yourself and the child will appreciate your attention.

Next... Follow-up to May Day.

Thursday night (May 1) when I returned from brainstorming with Cheryl about, "Taste of USA," I returned home to find this fun treat hanging on my door knob. Then I remembered my thoughtful neighbor sharing with me a fun May Day tradition that she and her family practiced as kids. I love the idea, so I am passing it along today hoping you will file it away until next year.

My neighbor explained how she makes these cones from sturdy paper and then fills them with treats and anonymously hangs them on the door knobs of friends and neighbors. What a fun and thoughtful idea. Mine was filled with beautiful little roses from her garden, but she noted how you could also fill them with candy treats and other novelty items. I'm not sure how it ties in with May Day as labor day or Dea Boda, but hanging treats on peoples' doors in hand made and decorated containers... that I can get into!

Heather's Hair... After a big chunk of change; a desperate phone call to me in utter disbelief; and a healthy dose of guilt on her part... Heather finally got a stylish haircut and color. Worth every penny, in my opinion... You judge for yourself. Here's the after shot..

S-E-R-E-N-D-I-P-I-T-Y
I'll try to keep this brief, as today's post is already lengthy and we sill have Dine By Design tables to go. I scour the paper every morning for articles or ads that might jar a creative idea in my head (one a day is no small order to fill). A couple of weeks ago I saw an article about a woman who was runner up for the Dallas Pillsbury Bake-off. It caught my attention because she works at SMU - an institution where I was once employed. Simultaneously, I had been toying with the idea of trying to implement periodic, Freebie Fridays," where I give away some item. I got to thinking, maybe this award winning Pillsbury baker would be willing to donate a free batch of her brownies. I sent an email asking. She replied back that she was willing and in exchange was wondering whether I would be willing to do something for her. Curiosity peaked. I said, "Sure, how can I help?"

This is amazing. The SAME woman who won runner up for the Texas Pillsbury Bake-off was ALSO one of 15 moms nominated to be one of America's Favorite Moms! Can you believe that?!?! Needless to say, 2008 is going to be tough for her to top. So, Gwen Beauchamp would like our help racking her up as many votes as possible. I told her about our loyal readership and told her I felt confident we could do our part. So, here's what I know to date. There are five categories. Her category (Chair of Everything (COE) Moms) will be voted on Friday, May 9. I assume you go to the Today Show website to place your vote, but I will provide more detail before then. So, how can you help? If so willing... place a vote for Gwen Beauchamp on Friday May 9 and try to muster up as much other support (family, friends, co-workers) as possible. In exchange, she is going to present us with an award winning batch of brownies - mailed directly one of our lucky readers!

Finally... Dine by Design... Here are the table titles from the local church event I reported on a few weeks back. Perhaps it will get your wheels turning on fun themes...

Big Girls Slumber Party

Nancy Drew Mystery Tour

Good News Club is Cool

God's Treasure Box

Love Bears All

Winter Wonderland

A Quiet Place to Think

Serenity

Valentine's

When Life Gives You Lemons

A Garden Party

In My Father's House are Many Rooms

Wedding at Tara

Love to Serve

A Black & White Affair

Barbie

One Nation Under God

Boot Scootin' Babes

Make Mine Chocolate

Hollywood Chic

Signs of Spring

Birds of a Feather

Rhinestones in the Rough

Wizard of Oz

Chocolate Elegance

Crowing for Jesus

Tea Party

Food for the Soul

It's for the Birds

Hometown Homegirls

God's Garden

Modern Trends

Damask Road

Good Bless Texas

What are Little Boys Made of

What are Little Girls Made of

Deal or No Deal

God's Garden

Friends, Fun, and Chocolate

5 Star Western

As Good As It Gets

Christmastime is Here Again

God Bless Guatemala

Jesus is Love

Here Comes the Bride

Flip Flop Paradise

Spring is In the Air

Western Jubilee

Poppin' Fresh

Remember Me

Heavenly Gathering

If Tea Cups Could Talk

The Old Rugged Cross

The Cat's Meow

Growing Together

Stones of Encouragement

He is Risen

Pushing up Roses

In Memory of Irene

Pure Turquoise

Monkey Business

A Family Tale

Designed Reflection

Love n Chocolate

Heaven

All Things New

Africa

Plain or Peanut

Hawaii 5-o

The Joy of Spring

India & Rahab's Rope

World Cup

Coming Up Daisies

Signing off until Monday, when I will be posting for the week from Austin, TX...